The Yuanjue Temple Pagoda (圆觉寺塔), also known as the Small Temple Pagoda, is a rare surviving example of a densely eaved pagoda in the Datong area of Shanxi Province, located within the Yuanjue Temple in Hunyuan County. This ancient architectural relic dates back to the Jin Dynasty. The pagoda stands nine stories tall with a solid brick structure, reaching approximately 20 meters in height. It features an octagonal shape and is entirely constructed of bricks, replicating traditional wooden architecture.
The pagoda is divided into three main sections: the base, the body, and the top. The base, approximately 4 meters high, mimics the architectural style of wooden structures with two tiers of waist gates. The base is adorned with intricate brick relief sculptures depicting various scenes, including 40 figures of dancers and musicians performing with long sleeves, ropes, pipa, drums, and other musical instruments, showcasing a variety of poses.
Atop the base is a large double-tiered octagonal Sumeru pedestal, towering at 4 meters high. The body of the pagoda, excluding the first story, lacks external staircases for ascent. The first story of the body features a high ceiling with a main chamber dedicated to the pagoda’s core. The eastern, western, and northern exterior walls are decorated with brick-carved false doorways, while the remaining sides each have a false window.
From the second story upward, each of the subsequent seven levels of the pagoda features shorter eaves and is characterized by its distinct architectural details. At the top of the pagoda, a lotus-shaped iron spire is installed, with a lower tiered spire seat and successive layers including an inverted bowl, wheel, canopy, radiance, and a jewel, culminating in a “soaring phoenix” bird figure, locally known as the “waiting wind bird,” which spins with the wind.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 15 minutes |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day |
Location and Transportation
Yuanjue Temple Pagoda is located at West Yong’an Road, Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, China. To get there, you can take bus Hunyuan 1 or Hunyuan 3 and get off at Gucheng Xianya Stop (古城县衙站, Ancient City Official Building).
