Wuchen Pagoda

CHINA, Fujian, Putian

Wuchen means No Dust. The pagoda was located on the west side of Jiuzuo Temple, which no longer exists. It was built in 865 during the Tang dynasty, and was rebuilt during the early Song dynasty (960–1279). According to the records, Chan Master Zhengjue built the temple and this pagoda housed the relics of the monks who stayed at the temple. The pagoda was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2006.
The three-story, octagonal, stone pagoda is 15.6 m high and is built in imitation of a wooden structure. It stands on a stone platform. On the first story there are doorways on the north and south sides, and windows on the east and west sides. On the southeast and southwest sides there are reliefs of Vajrapanibalin. On the second and third stories there are doorways facing the four cardinal directions. On each story there are columns at the corners with capitals supporting the structure above. Above the capitals there are two downward-pointing cantilevers. The eaves consist of three layers of granite corbeling. The second and third stories are enclosed by balustrades. The octagonal pyramidal roof is surmounted by a damaged spire consisting of an inverted bowl and an upturned lotus. Inside the pagoda there is a spiral stone staircase that leads to the top. The decorated ceiling is supported by granite corbeling.