Pagoda of Fogong Temple, Buddhist wooden pagoda in Ying County, China.
The Pagoda of Fogong Temple is a nine-tier octagonal wooden structure in Ying County. The form tapers upward and reaches a height of roughly 67 meters (220 feet), while the base measures around 30 meters (98 feet) in diameter.
Craftsmen of the Liao Dynasty erected the tower in 1056 as a sign of Buddhist devotion in the region. The construction survived several earthquakes and remained without major alterations for nine centuries.
The ground floor columns carry carvings with lotus motifs and dragon figures, while the upper levels house smaller prayer rooms. Visitors can see different Buddha representations on each floor, honored by local worshippers with flowers and incense sticks.
The entrance lies within the temple grounds and opens daily for visitors who can explore the interiors up to the fifth level. The stairs grow steeper on the upper floors, so visitors with walking difficulties should keep this in mind when planning their visit.
Carpenters used a system of interlocking wooden brackets known as dougong that distributes weight without a single metal nail. This technique allows the structure to move slightly during earth tremors, avoiding damage.
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