Twin pagodas of Suzhou

The Twin Pagodas of Suzhou are two Buddhist structures from the Northern Song Dynasty standing in the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu province. Each tower features eight sides, seven stories, and rises above 30 meters (98 feet) tall with an iron spire crowning the brick foundation.

The twin towers were built around 982 by the Wang brothers from Wuxian County and are the primary remains of the former Dinghui Buddhist temple. They have survived for over a thousand years and continue to stand as witnesses to this architectural period.

The rotating design of each floor represents Buddhist ideas about spiritual progress and transformation. Visitors walking up the stairs notice how the perspective shifts with each level they climb.

Access to the site is straightforward, and the complex includes a surrounding garden and a stone carving museum located in the first courtyard. Allow time to climb through the levels and look at the exhibits at your own pace.

The eastern tower is roughly half a meter shorter than its western counterpart, making them fraternal rather than identical twins despite their similar look. This subtle difference becomes noticeable when you examine them closely and speaks to their individual histories.