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The Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple [home.kdsj.sx.cn] |
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- Location: Yingxian County, Shanxi Province
Located in the Yingxian County, Shanxi Province, the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple (佛宮寺釋迦塔), also known as the Yingxian Pagoda (應縣木塔), is the oldest full-wooden pagoda still standing in China. Standing 67.31 meters tall, the construction of the octagonal pagoda began in 1,056 during the Liao Dynasty and was completed in 1195 during the Jin Dynasty.
From the exterior, the pagoda seems to have only five stories and two sets of rooftop eaves for the first story, yet the pagoda's interior reveals that it has nine stories in all. Each story has 24 exterior pillars and 8 interior pillars. Each floor contains Buddhist statues, including a first floor statue of Sakyamuni. The elegantly carved statue stands 11 meters tall. There are also statues of Manjushri and the Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.
Various kinds of Buddhist images are carved into the ceiling of every story of the pagoda. Windows on eight sides of the pagoda provide views of the countryside, including Mount Heng and the Songgan River.
Travel Tips:
- Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Admission: 60 yuan
- How to get there: take a bus to Yingxian County and then take a car to the Pagoda. It will cost about 3 yuan.