Eastern and Western Pagodas, Buddhist pagodas in Xishan District, China
The Eastern and Western Pagodas are two religious towers standing about 200 meters apart in Kunming. They display traditional Chinese construction with stone and masonry work that shows the craftsmanship techniques of their time.
These twin towers were built in the late 8th century during the Nanzhao period, when Buddhism was expanding across the region. That era marked an important moment for religious architecture in southwestern China.
These structures carry their traditional names Dongsi Ta and Xisi Ta, reflecting how Buddhism took physical form in Yunnan during that era. The buildings show how religious monuments shaped the landscape and held meaning for the communities that built them.
The structures retain their original materials and forms, allowing visitors to closely observe ancient construction methods. The best way to experience them is to walk between both locations and enjoy the different perspective from each vantage point.
This pair of pagodas is a rare surviving example from the Nanzhao era and still stands at its original locations with the same spacing as over 1000 years ago. The fact that both towers have kept their original arrangement makes them an exceptional example of how double monuments have been preserved.
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