Pagoda at Xingshengjiao Temple, Buddhist pagoda in Songjiang District, China
The pagoda at Xingshengjiao Temple is a nine-story brick structure rising to about 48.5 meters with wooden balconies and railings on each level. An internal staircase system with wooden floor slabs connects all levels, allowing visitors to climb through the square tower and experience each floor.
Built between 1068 and 1077 during the Northern Song Dynasty, this tower is the last surviving structure of the temple's original complex. Its construction follows architectural methods documented in Yingzao fashi, a Song Dynasty building manual that influenced brick design across the era.
The temple's name refers to victorious spiritual teachings rooted in Buddhist practice. Visitors come here as a place for reflection and to connect with centuries of religious devotion in the region.
Climbing the internal stairs requires effort as you ascend through all nine levels of the tower. Wear sturdy shoes and plan enough time to experience the views from different floors and appreciate the construction details at each stage.
Excavations in 1974 discovered a hidden crypt inside a bronze Buddha statue containing ancient coins and two sacred relic beads. This discovery reveals how worshippers concealed precious religious objects within the tower, offering insight into spiritual practices of that era.
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