Wooden Pagoda

Located in Yingxian County, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Datong, the six-storied wooden-frame pagoda boasts to be the greatest and the oldest of its kind in China.

The octagonal pagoda is about 70 meters (230 feet) high and appears to consist of six stories. However, the interior of the pagoda has three hidden floors so in total it has nine stories. On each storey of the pagoda, twenty-four pillars in the outer circle support the octagonal eaves and another eight pillars further inside surround the interior body of the pagoda. The pillars are interwoven by a fine latticework of stanchions, beams, and puncheons. The construction of this well-proportioned pagoda used 3,000 cubes of wood at the weight of over 2,600 tons, and with no dowels or nails having being used. This presents the height of development in traditional Chinese wooden architecture of that period.

Two gates built into the base of the pagoda are the main entrance for tourists. A flight of wood cockle stairs inside the pagoda allow tourist to ascend the top. On each floor, there enshrined valued Buddhist statues, among which a 10-meter-high (32.8 feet statue of Sakyamuni on the first floor is very impressive.

In addition, a collection of precious relics found in the pagoda includ the color-printings from the Liao (916 - 1125) period, Buddhist scripts and other items are of high value in the research of the political, economic and cultural development in that period.

Admission Fee:	CNY 61 (including CNY 1 for insurrance)
Opening Hours:	7:00 to 19:00
Recommended Time for a Visit:	One and a half hours
Bus Route:	Take the direct bus at railway station