Liusheng Pagoda, Stone pagoda in Quanzhou, China.
The Liusheng Pagoda stands in Shihu Village, Hanjiang Town, Shishi City, on the south bank of Quanzhou Bay. The octagonal five-storey stone tower imitates a timber pavilion structure and rises 36.06 metres. Its double-tiered Sumeru pedestal supports storeys that each carry four doors and four niches, with relief figures of Vajra guardians and Bodhisattvas.
The pagoda emerged during the Song-Yuan period and reflects the architectural development of that era. It gained recognition as part of a UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2021 alongside 21 other sites in Quanzhou.
The pagoda's name, Liusheng, is also rendered as Rihu Tower or Shihu Tower, after Shihu Village in Hanjiang Town, Shishi. Each of its five storeys carries four doors and four niches, and the niches hold relief figures of Vajra guardians and Bodhisattvas that visitors can pick out on the stone faces.
The pagoda is best experienced as part of exploring the entire district, where multiple heritage sites can be visited together. Guided tours connect different locations and provide clear direction plus contextual information about the area.
The pagoda served as a guiding landmark for merchant ships navigating the ancient sea routes between China and distant regions. This maritime role makes the structure a physical marker of a time when this port was one of the major trade hubs of the Indian Ocean.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,570 contributors worldwide.