Explore the Site
Wenfeng Pagoda (Wenfeng Ta)
Wenfeng Pagoda stands at the southeastern corner of the pagoda courtyard. It was built in 1599 (the 27th year of the Wanli reign, Ming Dynasty) under the supervision of Fu Lin, grandfather of the renowned Shanxi scholar Fu Shan (1607-84). The pagoda was built to remedy the geographical imbalance of Taiyuan, where the northwest is higher than the southeast, and to “enhance the auspicious landscape and promote cultural prosperity.”
The pagoda rises to a height of 54.76 meters. It is an octagonal, 13-story, hollow brick structure built in the style of a traditional pavilion.
Xuanwen Pagoda (Xuanwen Ta)
Xuanwen Pagoda was built in 1608 (the 36th year of the Wanli reign, Ming Dynasty) under the supervision of Master Miaofeng, a Buddhist monk and abbot of Xiantong Temple on Wutai Mountain. According to legend, the pagoda houses sacred Buddhist relics, and is therefore also known as the Relic Pagoda.
The structure is octagonal in plan and consists of 13 levels. The base of the lowest tier measures 4.6 meters per side, and the pagoda reaches a height of 54.78 m. It is a classic example of a pavilion-style hollow brick pagoda.
The base is built of sandstone, simple yet sturdy. The body is made of finely polished fired clay bricks laid seamlessly. Architectural elements such as brackets, eaves, beams and rafters are also rendered in brick, imitating timber structures. The edges of the eaves are finished with peacock-blue glazed tiles, giving the pagoda a shimmering beauty. Visitors can climb to the top for a panoramic view of the entire city.