Tianfeng Pagoda

CHINA, Zhejiang, Ningbo

Tianfeng means Heavenly Seal. It was built between 695 and 696 during the Wu Zhou dynasty. It was damaged and rebuilt a number of times throughout its history. In 1798 during the Qing dynasty, it was destroyed by fire with only the brick structure remaining. In 1989 the pagoda was rebuilt in Song dynasty style. It has now been listed as a Municipal Cultural Heritage Site.
The seven-story, hexagonal, brick and wood pagoda measures 51.5 m high. The exterior of the pagoda has eaves supported by bracket sets. The roofs are covered with corrugated tiles and they turn up at the corners. Each hip has decorations consisting of animals. Wind chimes hang beneath the eaves. Each story is surrounded by a balcony, and there is an arched doorway on each side.
In 1957, when the pagoda was being fully restored, workers found a gilt stupa commissioned by King Qian Chu (reigned 947–978) of Wuyue. An inscription dated 955 was engraved on the artifact. In 1982 an underground palace was discovered containing precious artifacts, such as a silver stupa, a silver house, and a model of the underground palace made from gilt silver. This rare find provides important research material for those specializing in architecture and artwork from the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279).