无垢净光舍利塔, Buddhist pagoda in Huanggu District, Shenyang, China
This Buddhist tower is an octagonal brick structure rising about 30 meters with 13 levels, each containing Buddha statues in niches across its exterior. Inside, the tower has a hollow core that shelters colored murals preserved in an underground chamber.
The tower was first built during the Liao Dynasty in the 11th century and was rebuilt in the 17th century after suffering damage. Inscriptions in Chinese, Manchu, and Mongolian on the structure record the details of its construction and restoration work.
The tower represents a place where people have come to honor Buddhist teachings through its carefully arranged Buddha figures at each cardinal direction. This layout shows how the building itself teaches spiritual concepts through its physical design.
The tower stands prominently along Tawan Street and is easily spotted by its distinctive octagonal shape and height rising above the surroundings. A museum at the site displays objects and remains discovered from historical towers in the region.
The underground chamber beneath the structure went undiscovered until restoration work in 1985 revealed its existence and the colored murals within. These hidden artworks had been sealed away for centuries before being brought to light.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
