Leifeng Pagoda, Hangzhou

Leifeng Pagoda, Hangzhou (must see)

Leifeng Pagoda is a five story tall tower with eight sides, located on Sunset Hill south of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Originally constructed in the year AD 975, it collapsed in 1924 but was rebuilt in 2002, since when it has been a popular tourist attraction. The original pagoda was built during Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, at the order of King Qian Chu. It was built to celebrate the birth of Qian Chu's son, born to his Huang Fei.

The Leifeng Pagoda was an octagonal, five-story structure built of brick and wood and with a base built out of bricks. During the Ming dynasty, Japanese pirates attacked Hangzhou. Suspecting the pagoda contained weapons, they burned its wooden elements, leaving only the brick skeleton, as can be seen from Ming paintings of the West Lake. Leifeng Pagoda was one of the ten sights of the West Lake because of the Legend of the White Snake. As for whether there was a mausoleum below, this was debated for years until finally radar was used to investigate. On March 11, 2001 the mausoleum was excavated and many treasures were found, most notably a gold and silver coated hair of the Buddha.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.

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Leifeng Pagoda on Map

Sight Name: Leifeng Pagoda
Sight Location: Hangzhou, China (See walking tours in Hangzhou)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Hangzhou, China

Create Your Own Walk in Hangzhou

Create Your Own Walk in Hangzhou

Creating your own self-guided walk in Hangzhou is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Religious Buildings Tour

Religious Buildings Tour

Buddhism remains one of China’s main religions. Hangzhou is home to numerous temples. Each of them has a powerful, centuries-long tradition and are still attended by many. The following tour gives visitors the unique opportunity to see some magnificent temples and pagodas.

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.8 Km or 4.2 Miles
West Lake Tour

West Lake Tour

The city of Hangzhou, sitting on the southern end of the Grand Canal waterway in China, opposite Beijing on the northern end, is an agglomeration of cultural and historic sights. Western Hangzhou is a home to the West Lake which has inspired poets and artists since the 9th century. It also hosts a number of other attractions, such as Yue Fei Temple, Hangzhou Botanical Garden, Zhejiang gallery,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles