Yinshan Forest of Pagodas

CHINA, Beijing

Yinshan, meaning Silver Mountain, derives its name from its silvery sheen when it is covered in snow. During the Tang dynasty (618–907) there were a few temples dotted around the mountain, but by the Liao (907–1125) and Jin (1115–1234) dynasties there were a large number of temples. One of the largest was Yansheng Temple constructed between 1123 and 1137 during the Jin dynasty. It was renamed Fahua Chan Monastery during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Due to the lack of repairs as well as war, most of the temples’ buildings are in ruins, leaving only a few funerary pagodas. They are collectively known as the Yinshan Forest of Pagodas. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1988.
The funerary pagodas can either be found in old temple sites, at the foot of the mountain, or within the forest. There are five funerary pagodas on the site of Fahua Chan Monastery that are considered to be the most noteworthy. They consist of four pagodas built in a square formation, with a fifth pagoda at the center. They are constructed from brick and built in a multi-tier style with a solid interior, and their height varies between 14 m and 20 m. Each pagoda has a white stone tablet with the name of the master who is being commemorated; two pagodas are for Master Fojue, while the other three are for Masters Yixing, Xujing, and Yuantong. These funerary pagodas provide valuable research material for the study of Buddhist history in Beijing.