Pizhi Pagoda

The Pizhi Pagoda is an octagonal brick tower with nine stories rising to about 54 meters in height. The structure combines brick and stone in a solid construction that has endured for over 900 years.

The current structure was built between 1056 and 1063 during the Song Dynasty to replace an earlier tower erected in 753. This rebuilding shows how important this religious site remained for the region across centuries.

The pagoda honors pratyeka buddhas, spiritual beings who reached enlightenment through their own inner practice without a teacher's guidance. This religious focus shapes how visitors and pilgrims perceive and use the space today.

You can reach the first five stories using interior stairs within the tower, while higher levels require climbing an external winding staircase. The climb offers different challenges depending on how far up you want to go.

The iron spire crowning the pagoda is decorated with an inverted bowl, discs, a sun symbol, a crescent moon, and a bead, all anchored by chains to iron celestial guard statues at each corner. This intricate metalwork from earlier times remains a fascinating detail that visitors often miss.