The Dongxi Pagodas are located on the eastern and western sides in front of Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, with a distance of about 200 meters between the two towers, each covering an area of approximately 50 square meters. The East Tower, known as the ‘Zhenguo Pagoda’, was originally a five-story wooden pagoda built by the founder Wen Chong Zen Master in the sixth year of Xiantong (AD 865). After several destructions and reconstructions, it was transformed from wood to brick.
By the second year of Jia Xi (AD 1238), Master Ben Hong changed it to stone, followed by the construction of Master Fa Quan and Master Tian Xi, taking a decade to complete. The East Tower stands at a height of 48.24 meters, with a plan divided into four parts: the corridor, the outer wall, the inner corridor, and the octagonal central column. The pagoda has a frame structure, with the central column running through each level, providing support for the entire structure. The walls are made of finely processed and carved granite, stacked in a precise and interlaced manner, with solid workmanship. A stable foundation, combined with a solid central column according to the principles of mechanics, makes this 10,000-ton building stand firm after more than 700 years of wind and rain. Even the earthquake of magnitude 8 in AD 1604 could not shake its foundation. The stone pagoda is not only extremely strong but also exquisitely shaped. The eaves extend outwards in a curved arc, with high corners, giving the pagoda a light and flying posture. Each level has four doors and four niches, alternating with each other. This not only evenly distributes the weight but also makes the pagoda’s appearance more vivid and beautiful. Each corner of the eaves is hung with a copper bell, and when the breeze blows, the sound of the bells is pleasant and pleasing to the ear. The East Tower was selected for the national four famous pagoda stamps in 1997 and can be called the king of stone pagodas. The West Tower, named Renshou Pagoda, was built by Wang Shenzhi in the third year of Zhenming of the Five Dynasties Liang Dynasty (AD 917), who transported wood from Fuzhou by sea to Quanzhou to build this pagoda, initially named ‘Wuliangshou Pagoda’. In the fourth year of Zhenghe of the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 1114), it was renamed ‘Renshou Pagoda’. After several destructions and reconstructions, it was transformed from wood to brick, and by the first to the first year of Shaoding of the Song Dynasty (AD 1228-1237), Master Zi Zheng changed it to stone, completing it ten years before the East Tower. The West Tower stands at a height of 44.06 meters, slightly lower than the East Tower, and its scale is almost identical to that of the East Tower. The only male bearded Guanyin and the monkey traveler reliefs have aroused widespread interest among tourists and scholars. The stone pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou are treasures of ancient stone architecture in China. In terms of the scale, shape, and craftsmanship of the stone pagodas, they can be described as exquisitely wonderful. They are not only a symbol of the unprecedented prosperity of Quanzhou during the peak period of medieval overseas transportation but also a unique symbol of Quanzhou’s historical and cultural city. The opening time is open all year round, 24 hours a day.Dongxi Pagodas: Symbol of Quanzhou’s Historical and Cultural Significance
The Dongxi Pagodas are located on the eastern and western sides in front of Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzh[...]
