Chengtian Temple Pagoda – The Tallest Ancient pagoda in Ningxia

Chengtian Temple Pagoda (承天寺塔), also known as the Western Pagoda (西塔), was originally built in 1050. It was commissioned by Empress Dowager Meicang of the Western Xia Dynasty to pray for the long reign of her son, Emperor Liangzuo. In 1739, the temple and pagoda were destroyed in a massive earthquake. The pagoda was later rebuilt in 1820 during the Qing Dynasty. In the mid-1980s, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region undertook renovations to the Chengtian Temple complex. Among more than 100 ancient pagodas in Ningxia, Chengtian Temple Pagoda stands as the tallest, and it is the only one with a recorded date of its initial construction.

According to historical inscriptions, when Empress Dowager Meicang built Chengtian Temple, a sacred relic – the skull bone of the Buddha – was secretly buried beneath the pagoda in a golden and silver casket. This relic, considered one of the holiest in Buddhism, elevated the temple’s status in the Buddhist community. After the pagoda’s construction, the Empress Dowager, along with Emperor Liangzuo, attended the consecration ceremony, and the temple was also bestowed with a set of Buddhist scriptures from the Song Dynasty.

The pagoda is 64.5 meters tall, with 11 octagonal levels, and it rests on a square base that is 2.6 meters high and 26 meters wide. The entrance faces east, and a passageway leads into the tower’s inner chamber. Inside, each level has wooden floors connected by a spiral staircase, and from the top floor, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Yinchuan’s old city.

The temple complex itself faces east, which differs from most temples in central China that face south. This might reflect the Western Xia people’s reverence for the east or the sun. The Chengtian Temple covers an area approximately 200 meters long from east to west and 100 meters wide from north to south, featuring traditional Chinese architecture. Notable structures within the temple include the Five Buddha Hall, the pagoda, the Weituo Hall, and the Reclining Buddha Hall.

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

Chengtian Temple Pagoda is located at No. 76 Jinning South Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. To get there, you can take bus 19, 23, or 40 and get off at Western Pagoda Stop (西塔站).