Pagoda of Fogong Temple

Standing before the Pagoda of Fogong Temple, also known as the Ying-shian Wooden Pagoda, you are witnessing one of the 'Three Great Wonders of Towers in the World,' alongside the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower. Built…

Look closely at the underside of the eaves. You will see an explosion of complex wooden structures known as 'Dougong' or bracket sets. …

As we step inside the ground floor, you are greeted by the magnificent sculpture of Sakamuni Buddha. This is the tallest seated clay Buddha statue in China, dominating the central space of the pagoda. …

From the outside, the pagoda appears to have five stories, each marked by a sweeping roof. However, the internal reality is much more complex. …

One of the most enduring legends of the Ying-shian Pagoda is its apparent immunity to lightning. In a region prone to frequent and severe thunderstorms, this 67-meter wooden tower—the tallest structure for miles—has never once…

As you walk around the exterior of the tower, look up at the dozens of wooden plaques hanging from the eaves. There are 48 in total, featuring calligraphy from some of the most famous emperors, scholars, and generals in Chinese…

If you step back and look at the pagoda from a distance, you may notice something unsettling: it is not perfectly straight. The tower has developed a significant tilt, particularly in the lower levels. …

Our visit to the Pagoda of Fogong Temple concludes here at the edge of the temple grounds. We have explored the structural genius of its 480 bracket sets, the spiritual core of its tooth relics and clay Buddha, and the historical…