Mulan Yuan Temple Stone Pagoda

CHINA, Jiangsu, Yangzhou

The pagoda was built in 838 during the Tang dynasty to house a relic of the Buddha, and was originally situated on the grounds of Mulan Yuan Temple. It was damaged and rebuilt a number of times. When it was repaired during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty, a stele recording the burial of the relic was placed under the pagoda. The stele also dates back to the Tang dynasty (618–907). It was listed as a Municipal Cultural Heritage Site in 1962.
The five-tier hexagonal stone pagoda is built in imitation of a timber structure and is 10.1 m high. Each side of the base is decorated with carvings of deer, horses, oxen, and various other animals. The stone balustrades surrounding the first story have carvings of dragons and clouds, lotus flowers, and other patterns. The newel posts have carvings of ruyi (wish-fulfilling talisman). Rounded pilasters can be found at the corners of each tier. Apart from the ogee arched doorways on the north and south sides of the first, third, and fifth tiers, all the other sides have reliefs of Buddhas, with a total of 24 images displaying various expressions. The stone roofs have corrugated tiles and the corners of the eaves are upturned. The pagoda has a hexagonal pyramidal roof surmounted by a spire consisting of an inverted bowl, vase, jewel, and finial.