The Yingxian Pagoda

The Yingxian Pagoda, also named Sakya Wooden Pagoda, is the main architecture of Fogong Temple in the center of the small town, 75 kilometers south of Datong, one of the oldest wooden buildings in China. Constructed in 1056 during Liao Dynasty and restructured in 1195 during Jin Dynasty, the pagoda is the existing oldest and tallest timerwork pavilion architecture in China.  It is built on a four-meter-high groundwork with a total height of 67.31 meters, and a diameter of 30.27 meters at the bottom. It is recorded that it has survived seven earthquakes in the history, especially a great earthquake happened in the Yuan Dynasty (1328 A.D.) that lasted for seven days, which testifies its rational use of components and fine construction. This Pagoda is regarded as one of the three pagodas in the World, together with the Eiffel Tower in France and Pisa Leaning Tower of in Italy. Unfortunately, visitors are now only allowed to climb to the second level of this delicate structure. The suggestion of visiting this Pagoda to take 1-2 hours to give you enough time to explore.