Pagoda of Fogong Temple

The Pagoda of Fogong Temple, often called the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, is a multi-storey timber pagoda in Ying County, Shanxi province, China, originally built in 1056 during the Liao dynasty. It is notable for being an early and exceptionally tall example of large-scale wooden architecture.

The pagoda’s height is about 67 metres and it rises in multiple diminishing storeys; the interior contains Buddhist images and historic fittings and the surrounding temple complex includes traditional halls and ancillary buildings. The structure attracts visitors for its engineering, age and detailed wooden joinery.

The pagoda was constructed in the mid-11th century and has been repaired and conserved at various times since then; despite earthquakes and changing regimes it survives as a major example of Liao-period wooden construction.

The pagoda and Fogong Temple lie in Ying County in Shanxi province, on the North China Plain in northeastern Shanxi.

• Date of construction: Built in 1056 during the Liao dynasty, it is one of the oldest surviving large timber structures in China.
• Height: Stands at roughly 67 metres in height, making it one of the tallest surviving wooden pagodas.

What to See #

• Pagoda (main tower): The timber tower itself is the central structure of the Fogong Temple complex and is notable for its full wooden construction and multi-storey form, rising to roughly 67 metres.
• Fogong Temple complex: The temple complex around the pagoda contains halls, statues and ancillary buildings that historically supported religious functions and pilgrim visits.