Taiping Pagoda

CHINA, Anhui, Anqing

The pagoda is located in Wanguang Yuan on Zhangfashan (Dharma Teaching Mountain). It was built between 326 and 334 during the Eastern Jin dynasty, and is the oldest existing pagoda within the province. It was reconstructed sometime between 1102 and 1118 during the Northern Song dynasty, but was destroyed by fire in 1154, during the Southern Song dynasty. The structure was rebuilt five years later and completed in 1168. Repairs were made to it between 1994 and 1995. It was listed as a Provincial Cultural Heritage Site in 1981.
The seven-story, octagonal, brick pagoda is 43 m high. On every story real doors alternate with fake ones. Inclining passageways in between the walls allow access to each story. The interior and exterior walls are inlaid with thousands of brick Buddha reliefs. The spire consists of an inverted bowl, seven stacked rings, a horizontal crescent moon, and a jewel.
In 1995, a stone casket containing relics was discovered in the chamber on the ground level. Other items were also discovered, such as a bricks inscribed by Abbot Zhenchan and Abbot Sizu, which proved that the pagoda is from the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279).