Wansong Elder’s Pagoda

　　Destination Introduction
　　The Wansong Elder’s Pagoda is located next to No. 41, South Xisi Street, Xicheng District. Brick Tower Lane is named after it.

　　　　The Wansong Elder, also known as Master Wansong Xingxiu, referred to himself as the “Old Man of Wansong.” He was from Henei (now north of the Yellow River) during the Jin Dynasty. He became a monk in Jingzhou and was a renowned Buddhist master between the Jin and Yuan dynasties (belonging to the Caodong sect of Buddhism), while also having deep knowledge of Confucian classics. His works include “The Record of Composure,” “The Record of Further Inquiries,” and “The Recorded Sayings of Longevity,” among others. He passed away at the age of 81 at Qiyin Temple on Yangshan in the western suburbs of Yanjing. This stupa was later built as his tomb. Originally, it was an octagonal, seven-tiered, closely-eaved brick pagoda. In the 18th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1753), it was heightened to nine tiers. In the 16th year of the Republic of China (1927), it was renovated by Ye Gongchuo and others, who added a main gate and inscribed the stone gate plaque “Yuan Dynasty Wansong Elder’s Pagoda.” During maintenance in 1986, it was discovered that the Qing-era pagoda enclosed an earlier Yuan-era pagoda.

　　　　This pagoda is a nine-story, octagonal, closely-eaved brick structure in the style of the Jin and Yuan periods, standing approximately 15.9 meters tall. It is the only remaining brick pagoda in Beijing’s urban area. The pagoda courtyard is 14 meters long from east to west and 7 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of 99.3 square meters, including a built-up area of 22.5 square meters.

　　　　This pagoda is delicate and unique, standing out from the rest—it is a scenic landmark in Beijing. Today, this ancient pagoda, which has witnessed centuries of dynasties, still stands beside the bustling West Fourth Street in Beijing, evoking a sense of historical reflection and hope for the future.

　　　　Location: Next to No. 41, South Xisi Street, Xicheng District  Transportation Information
　　Transportation: Take bus routes 22, 109, or 47 and get off at Xisi.

　　 Beijing Xicheng District

The Wansong Elder’s Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.