Yingtian Pagoda

Commonly known as the Grand Pagoda, Yingtian Pagoda originally stood halfway up the southeastern slope of Lutaishan Mountain in downtown Shengzhou, to the east of Huian Temple. Historical records document that its construction began in the 2nd year of the Tianjian reign of the Southern Liang Dynasty (502 AD). A short poem Ode to the Renovation of Yingtian Pagoda vividly depicts the imposing silhouette of this ancient tower: Halfway up Lutaishan looms the towering spire,

Its crest comes into sight ere the river town draws nigh.

It pierces mid-heaven spanning the blue void,

Rising abruptly to a height of three hundred chi.

When clouds roll in, its aura merges with Siming’s eastern peaks;

Wind, sun and rain buffet its swaying stone physique.

Yingtian Pagoda was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Since other buildings occupied its original site, a new location on a southern hillside within Lushan Park was selected for its reconstruction. The rebuilt Yingtian Pagoda stands 33.85 metres tall overall, featuring a hexagonal layout with seven storeys and a diameter of 7.7 metres. Seven tiers of stone steps lead to its entrance, and the tower is crowned with a bronze pagoda finial. Symbolic heavenly shrines and underground palaces are laid out inside the structure. The pagoda officially opened to visitors on 1 October 2010 and has become a landmark scenic spot of Shengzhou City.