The Ruiguang Pagoda is an ancient pagoda of the Song Dynasty located inside Panmen Gate in Suzhou. It was first built in 247 (the tenth year of Chiwu during the reign of Sun Quan of the Eastern Wu). It originally had 13 floors. When it was rebuilt during the Dazhong Xiangfu period of the Song Dynasty, it was changed to seven floors and eight sides. It is about 43 meters high. In April 1956, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province. In 1988, it was listed as a key national cultural relic protection unit. In April 1978, a batch of precious cultural relics from the Five Dynasties and the early Northern Song Dynasty were found in the brick niche on the third floor. There are two copper-gilded pagodas, nine statues of Bodhisattvas such as Ksitigarbha, Avalokitesvara, and Tathagata Buddha. There are also handwritten scriptures from the Five Dynasties and a lacquer box with inlaid mother-of-pearl sutras. In particular, a ‘pearl relic precious canopy’ is the most exquisite among the unearthed cultural relics. The canopy is 1.22 meters high and is woven with jewels. It combines jade carving, gold and silver craftsmanship, wood carving, gold tracing, lacquer carving and other arts in one, and can be called a rare treasure. These cultural relics are of high value for studying the social situation and artistic achievements of the Song Dynasty. At the same time, it also confirms that the existing brick pagoda body is a relic from the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu in the Northern Song Dynasty (1009). Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:30 to 16:00. Supplementary notes on preferential policies: 1. The above information is for reference only. The specific information is subject to the announcements of the scenic spot. 2. Preferential policies for the Panmen Scenic Area: Children with a height of 1.4 meters (excluding 1.4 meters) to 1.5 meters (excluding 1.5 meters) can purchase discounted tickets. Full-time undergraduate and below students can purchase discounted tickets with valid identity documents. People over 60 years old (including 60 years old) can purchase discounted tickets with valid identity documents. 3. Free policies for the Panmen Scenic Area: Children with a height of 1.4 meters (including 1.4 meters) or below are exempt from admission tickets. Active servicemen and retired cadres of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army are exempt from admission tickets with valid identity documents.
Ruiguang Pagoda
The Ruiguang Pagoda is an ancient pagoda of the Song Dynasty located inside Panmen Gate in Suzhou. I[...]
