Longhua Pagoda

Longhua Pagoda is a seven-story wooden and brick structure in Xuhui District that rises approximately 44 meters high, with balconies and railings encircling each level. Each octagonal tier includes four doorways and four rectangular shrines, while a hollow core with wooden staircases allows visitors to ascend through the interior.

The structure originated in 977 during the Northern Song Dynasty and stands as one of the oldest surviving religious buildings in southern China. Its existence spanning more than a thousand years makes it an important witness to Chinese architectural history.

The structure displays classic Chinese architectural features such as extended eaves and intricate wooden joinery crafted by artisans of its era. The relics housed within and traditional artistic forms continue to hold meaning for visitors and believers today.

The pagoda sits within a temple complex and is best reached by taking Metro Lines 11 or 12 to Longhua Station, then walking along Longhua Road to access the grounds. The complex spreads across several areas, so allow time for exploring and expect well-maintained pathways throughout the site.

Over the centuries, the structure underwent multiple repairs and partial reconstructions while maintaining its fundamental form and purpose. These changes remain visible today and show how successive generations of craftspeople adapted the building to preserve it for those who followed.