Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion, Buddhist pavilion in Jingzhen Village, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, China.
The Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion is an eight-sided Buddhist structure with red brick walls standing 21 meters high. It features four carved wooden doors and a cone-shaped roof covered with ten layers of fish-scale tiles.
The pavilion was built in 1701 during Emperor Kangxi's reign. It received protected status as a Major Historical and Cultural Site of China in 1988.
The pavilion functions as a space where Buddhist monks gather for meditation, and its design draws from how the Dai people traditionally build sacred structures. Walking around it, you notice how the architectural choices reflect beliefs about the Buddha and local building customs passed down through time.
The pavilion sits in Jingzhen Village and is open to visitors throughout the day. It is best to dress respectfully when visiting a Buddhist space and be mindful of any ongoing ceremonies or meditation practices.
A 16-meter brass mast crowns the top and contains whistle-shaped holes that sing when the wind blows through them. Mirrors and colored glass also adorn the walls, catching and reflecting light throughout the day.
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