Anciently known as Huguo Yongchang Zen Temple, also named the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, the Zhenfeng Pagoda stands tall by the Yangtze River, within the Yingjiang Temple. Constructed in the second year of the Longqing era during the Ming Dynasty (1568 AD), it has stood for over 400 years and is renowned as a must-see, with the saying ‘After seeing Anqing, no need to look at other pagodas’. The pagoda is a multi-eaved brick and stone structure with an octagonal base and seven levels, presenting a conical silhouette. At the base, a spacious plinth is built, and the central chamber of each level is octagonal. Each level features a waist eave and a flat seat, with double抄华拱 (double-copied ornate arches) beneath the eaves, extending in two jumps. The pagoda’s spire consists of an octagonal base, a circular inverted bowl, a spherical five-tiered wheel, and a gourd-shaped vase. Inside the pagoda, statues of Amitabha Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, and the Five Buddhas of the Directions are enshrined, with over 1,000 brick-carved Buddha statues, historical and mythological story sculptures, and 54 stele inscriptions embedded in the tower’s body. Every year on the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the full moon hangs high in the sky, countless pagoda shadows magically appear beside the reflection of the Zhenfeng Pagoda in the river, displaying a riot of colors, a truly wondrous and extraordinary sight. It is said that this is the annual gathering of the pagodas from both banks of the Yangtze River, paying homage to the Zhenfeng Pagoda. Hence, it is also referred to as the ‘King of the Yangtze Pagodas’. Over the centuries, despite the vicissitudes, the pagoda remains steadfast with the saying ‘The Yangtze River flows vast and mighty, yet the pagoda’s shadow never fades’. Visiting the pagoda is like ascending a ladder to the clouds, entering a celestial palace. Opening hours and business status are subject to the daily opening conditions.
