Yunyan Pagoda, Ancient Buddhist pagoda in Suzhou, China
Yunyan Pagoda is an octagonal brick tower with seven stories reaching about 47 meters tall, displaying typical architectural details from the Song Dynasty. The structure was built with traditional religious design, with clear craftsmanship visible in its layered construction when viewed from the ground.
Construction of this temple began in 907 during the Five Dynasties period and was completed in 961 under Song rule. This long building phase reflects how important the project was to the region and the care taken in its completion.
The name reflects its role as a Buddhist center, and visitors can still see preserved religious artifacts and texts housed within its chambers today. The structure draws those interested in how religious monuments were built and maintained across centuries.
The upper levels have been closed to visitors since 2010 for safety reasons due to the building's tilt. You can still view the structure from the ground and take photos from the exterior to appreciate its form.
The foundation was built with half rock and half soil, causing the tower to lean more than 2 meters from vertical. This tilt became so well-known that the structure earned the nickname 'Leaning Tower of China'.
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