Baochu Pagoda, Brick pagoda on Precious Stone Hill, Hangzhou, China

Baochu Pagoda is an octagonal brick structure standing on Precious Stone Hill in Hangzhou, rising to about 45 meters high across seven tiers. The building features blind windows, corner columns, and decorative brackets beneath each level, which are characteristic elements of Song Dynasty architecture.

According to tradition, the pagoda was first built between 968 and 976, when the Wuyue king Qian Hongchu was summoned to the Northern Song capital and his uncle Wu Yanshuang vowed a nine-storey pagoda for his safe return. It was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt from the Yuan to the Ming, rebuilt in 1579 as a seven-storey tower, and repaired in 1924 when it leaned; the iron finial was replaced in 1996.

The name Baochu means "protect Chu", referring to Qian Chu, the last king of Wuyue. According to Zhang Dai's account, in 976 Qian Chu, fearing annexation, vowed before the Buddha to build a pagoda for protection; after Emperor Taizu of Song sent him home with the ministers' memorials urging his detention, he built it in gratitude. A folk tale instead says the pagoda was raised on Precious Stone Hill to protect Qian Chu after he shot three arrows into the lake to kill a demon, and a mishearing gives the variant name Baoshu, "protect uncle".

The pagoda stands on top of Precious Stone Hill, just north of West Lake, beside a path that runs the length of the lake's northern hills. Dirt trails and cement stairs climb to it from nearly every side of the hill. The tower is solid brick and stone with no internal staircase, so it is viewed from outside only.

The pagoda is solid brick and stone with no internal staircase, so visitors cannot climb it. Its iron finial components date from the Ming dynasty; the decayed finial was replaced in 1996, and the earlier lantern is displayed near the pagoda.