The Wooden Pagoda Temple in Zhangye, Gansu Province was built in early 557-588 A.D. of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Records show that the pagoda had been renovated several times during the dynasties of Sui (581-618A.D.), the Tang (618-907 A.D.), the Ming (1368-1644 A.D.) and the Qing (1644-1911 A.D.). Located in the south street of Zhangye County Government, the present Wooden Pagoda has been well kept since 1926, which is regarded as one of Zhangye City's 'Five Elements' Pagodas. (Metal, wood, water, fire and earth are the 'five elements' in ancient Chinese philosophy and fortune-telling.).

The pagoda is actually a nine-storey building with a height of 32.8 meters (107.6 feet). It has a unique octagon shaped structure in each tier with eight dragonhead woodcarvings in each angle, a bead in the mouth, and a wind-bell below the neck. The main body is made of wood with eaves formed into pavilion style structure. Within the pagoda, each floor has doors, cloisters, engraved windows and lintels, which were embedded with brick carved steles. It has a distinction unique from other pagodas because neither a nail nor a rivet can be found in the entire structure. Ascending to the top, you can get a panoramic view of the surrounding city.

Other than its distinct feature, it is also considered magnificent. At the back of the pagoda, there is a two-storey building called Scripture Pavilion, which was reconstructed at the end of Qing (1644-1911A.D.) Dynasty. With its 27.4 meters (89.9 feet) height and five-room broad span, the building was decorated with railings and layered terraces. The local government allocated funds to restore the whole temple from 1983 to 1986. Nowadays, Zhangye Folk Customs Museum is located in the Wooden Pagoda Temple, which forms a more complete architectural building complex.