Liusheng Pagoda: A Precious Monument of Song and Yuan Architecture

Liusheng Pagoda is a valuable physical artifact for studying the architecture and art of the Song an[...]

Liusheng Pagoda is a valuable physical artifact for studying the architecture and art of the Song and Yuan dynasties. Constructed of granite in a pavilion-style structure, the pagoda stands at 36.6 meters in height with a base circumference of approximately 47 meters, featuring an octagonal, five-story design. Its exquisite carvings and majestic presence are comparable to the famous eastern and western pagodas of Quanzhou.
What sets this pagoda apart is the inscription of the builders’ names and dates on the beams of each level. Above the southern arched gateway of the base level hangs a ‘Hua Dai Bei’ stone tablet, inscribed with ‘Wan Shou Tower’, with the upper inscription ‘Tan Yue Jin Jiang Ling Hui Fu Li’ (Note: Han Jiang is another name for Han Jiang) and the lower inscription ‘Zhi Yuan Bing Zi December’ (A.D. 1336). The construction dates inscribed on each level are as follows: the second level ‘Sui Ci Zi Chou November’ (A.D. 1337), the third level ‘Sui Ci Wu Yin October’ (A.D. 1338), the fourth level ‘Sui Ci Ji Mao January’ (A.D. 1339), and the fifth level ‘Sui Ci Ji Mao March’. From these inscriptions, it is known that the pagoda was completed over a span of 4 years.

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Throughout its history, Liusheng Pagoda has withstood multiple earthquakes, including an 8.0 magnitude quake in Quanzhou in 1604, yet it remains unscathed. The Han River and Shi Hu beneath the pagoda were important foreign ports for Quanzhou in ancient times, standing by the sea as a testament to the prosperity of overseas transportation at that time. According to legend, there were 18 ferry crossings here, with nearly a hundred ships from Asia and Africa docked, marking a peak in maritime traffic. In the early Qing Dynasty, this area became the central wharf for cross-strait traffic between the mainland and Taiwan.

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After enduring over 800 years of wind and rain, Liusheng Pagoda stands like a towering red candle, radiating light upon the ‘Maritime Silk Road’, guiding the fifth voyage of the navigator Zheng He to the Western Seas and facilitating close interactions between compatriots across the strait. From the top of the pagoda, one can overlook the vast straits and the bustling traffic of ships. The pagoda is open all year round, accessible 24 hours a day.

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