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Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

8.6
4.8/5
25.6k reviews
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is centered on the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. This pure wooden pavilion-style pagoda was first built in the second year of Qingning of the Liao Dynasty (1056) and later expanded and completed during the Mingchang period of the Jin Dynasty. It is the oldest surviving wooden pagoda in China. The pagoda has five visible stories, with concealed stories inserted between them, making nine stories in total, and stands about 67 m tall. Apart from the stone platform base on the first story, the main body of the pagoda is built entirely of wood, connected using traditional mortise-and-tenon craftsmanship, and the whole pagoda uses more than 50 types of bracket sets, demonstrating exquisite structural design. For more than nine hundred years, the pagoda has withstood many major earthquakes and modern artillery bombardment and still stands today. Due to the need for cultural relic protection, visitors may only visit the first floor inside the pagoda. There is a door on each of the north and south sides of the first floor. In the center of the inner chamber is a seated statue of Shakyamuni about 10 m tall, with a dignified face and a solemn expression. Looking up, you can see the exquisite coffered ceiling at the top. On the walls of the inner chamber are painted six Buddha images of Tathagata, and on the walls on both sides of the doorway are painted Liao Dynasty-style murals featuring Vajra, disciples, and offering figures, with bright colors and lifelike figures. Multiple plaques from various dynasties hang under the eaves of each story of the wooden pagoda, two of which were written by Ming emperors and are particularly striking. Under the south eaves of the fifth story hangs the plaque "Supreme Divine Craftsmanship," written by Zhu Di, Emperor Chengzu of Ming, when he climbed the pagoda during a northern military campaign in the Yongle era; under the south eaves of the fourth story hangs the plaque "Wonder of the World," written by Zhu Houzhao, Emperor Wuzong of Ming, when he ascended the pagoda to feast and reward his ministers after the Yingzhou victory in the Zhengde era. These plaques are not only calligraphic treasures but also record the intersection of the wooden pagoda with historical figures, together with the architecture itself forming a distinctive cultural view of the attraction.Ying County · 1.7 km from downtown
Fogong Monastery

Fogong Monastery

4.4
4.6/5
85 reviews
The core of Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Scenic Area - Fogong Temple, carries thousands of years of history and culture, and shines brightly in the long river of time. Fogong Temple was first built in the second year of Qingning in the Liao Dynasty (1056 AD). At that time, Emperor Xingzong of Liao agreed to build it under the advocacy of Empress Xiao. Monk Tian was ordered to build it, and it was later completed in the sixth year of Jin Mingchang (1195 AD). The temple is arranged along the central axis, with buildings such as the mountain gate, wooden tower, and brick gatehouse distributed in sequence. In front of the mountain gate, the bell and drum towers on the east and west sides echo each other; when you step into it, the east and west side halls have their own characteristics. The east hall enshrines the guardian deity of the temple, while the west hall has a statue of Bodhidharma. The most eye-catching thing in the temple is the Sakya Pagoda of Fogong Temple, which is also known as the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. It is the only existing pure wooden pavilion-style ancient tower in China. It looks like a five-story, six-eave tower, but it actually has nine floors, with five visible floors and four hidden floors. The tower houses 34 colorful statues and about 304.65 square meters of murals. It also excavated and restored 160 Liao Dynasty cultural relics, including two particularly precious Buddha tooth relics.​Ying County · 1.3 km from downtown
Yingxian Muta Foya Sheli Vr 3D Experience Hall

Yingxian Muta Foya Sheli Vr 3D Experience Hall

3.3
4.9/5
38 reviews
"Climb the wooden pagoda without regret, immerse yourself in Buddha's nirvana." Ying County Wooden Pagoda attraction introduces a 3D&VR experience, allowing visitors to digitally explore the restored Sakyamuni Pagoda through 3D glasses and VR headsets. With Buddhist chants lingering in the air and virtual flower petals raining down, the guide accompanies visitors throughout this immersive journey. The Sakyamuni Pagoda, commonly known as the Ying County Wooden Pagoda, is located in Ying County, Shanxi Province. Built in the second year of the Liao Dynasty's Qingning era (1056 AD), this 67.31-meter-tall pagoda ranks as the foremost among the world's three most remarkable pagodas. Constructed entirely of wood without nails or rivets, it has withstood nearly a millennium of wind, rain, and warfare, still standing proudly before us today. However, after a thousand years of natural tilt, restoration poses significant challenges. To protect this architectural marvel, visitors are currently limited to exploring only the first floor. To compensate for this limitation, the Ying County Wooden Pagoda attraction has implemented AIGC digital imaging technology combined with 3D&VR, offering visitors an immersive experience of this thousand-year wonder through the "wings" of modern technology. 3D glasses and VR headsets will take you to every corner of the wooden pagoda, allowing you to observe the marvels of wooden architecture in detail and appreciate the wisdom of ancient craftsmen. For thousands of years, China has primarily used wood as the main building material. Mortise-and-tenon joints and bracket sets were our ancestors' patented wooden construction techniques. This nail-free connection method can be called a flexible linkage—while the intersecting points converge at a single spot, the framework isn't rigidly fixed, maintaining a degree of flexibility. When earthquakes occur, the mortise-and-tenon bracket structures resonate with the seismic waves, preventing significant damage to the building. Ying County's wooden pagoda features over 60 types of bracket structures, not even counting the mortise-and-tenon joints. These bracket systems act as shock absorbers within the wooden framework. Despite standing for nearly a millennium, enduring weathering, artillery strikes, and numerous strong earthquakes, the pagoda remains standing tall with only slight tilting. 3D glasses and VR headsets will also guide you through the treasures of Ying County's wooden pagoda, including the Seven Jewels and Buddha's tooth relic, along with the meticulously handwritten record by Xu Zhiqian of Rongbaozhai in standard regular script: "In the summer of 1966, a hexagonal silver box was discovered within the square recess of the wooden framework in the chest of the main statue on the fourth floor of the wooden pagoda. It contained the Seven Treasures and Buddha's tooth relic. The Buddhist Seven Treasures, also called Seven Jewels, vary in descriptions across scriptures. Those in the wooden pagoda consist of gold coins, silver pieces, copper coins, fragrant clay cakes, crystal glass, agarwood, and rosin beads. Both the Buddha's tooth and relics refer to the remains of Sakyamuni." The Buddha's tooth relic, a supreme treasure of Buddhism, captivates visitors from around the world with its unique form and profound cultural significance. Relics typically appear as bead-like or crystalline formations, varying in shape and color—some resembling transparent dewdrops, while others shimmer with gem-like brilliance. Through VR headset technology, you'll be fully immersed in the sacred hall of the Buddha's tooth relic. This is more than viewing a precious artifact—it's experiencing a spiritual journey spanning millennia. Each relic embodies the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, representing the essence of Buddhist culture. May you find inner peace and clarity while basking in the solemn radiance of the Buddha's tooth relic. You'll also experience an up-close view of the tower's numerous inscribed plaques—something even real tower climbers can't achieve. These plaques narrate stories and offer praise, including Emperor Wuzong of Ming's "Wonder of the World" and Emperor Yongle's "Divine Craftsmanship of Supreme Heights," which inspire awe. The surviving fragments of the Khitan Tripitaka fill a historical gap in China's ancient Buddhist canon compilations, while the Liao Dynasty's three-color printed "Sakyamuni Preaching the Dharma" is the only extant copy worldwide, holding immeasurable value in bibliography, documentation, and academic research.Ying County · 1.2 km from downtown
Yanmenguan
No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shanxi

Yanmenguan

8.1
4.7/5
8.1k reviews
Yanmenguan, located approx. 30 km northwest of Dai County in Xinzhou, is a pass on the inner Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, andNingwu Pass, together with Pianguan, they are known as the "three outer passes". There is no public transportation from Dai County town to the attraction, so you can only get there by private charter. Inside the attraction, you have to rely entirely on walking.YanmenguanSince ancient times, it has been a crucial pass for the Central Plains dynasties to defend against invasions from northern nomadic tribes. Its earliest history can be traced back to the Warring States period when King Wuling of Zhao fought against the Xiongnu here. Han Dynasty generals Li Guang, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing once led troops to battle the Xiongnu in this area. During the Northern Song Dynasty,YanmenguanIt became the main battlefield between the Song and Liao dynasties, and the prototype of the well-known story of the Yang family generals took place here. A statue of Yang Liulang stands in the attraction. ExistingYanmenguanIt was built in the seventh year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1374) (with multiple reconstructions in recent years). Currently, there are three gates (east gate, west gate, and small north gate). A wild goose tower stands atop the east gate, and the lintel of the small north gate (i.e., the barbican gate) is inscribed with "Yanmenguan"Three large characters flanked by brick-carved couplets: 'Foremost strategic pass in three frontiers, most revered fortress among nine passes,' both inscribed by the great calligrapher Fu Shan of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. You can visit the ruins of Ming and Qing military barracks on the hill north of the fortress. To the right outside the west gate areGuan Yu templeOutside the east gate stands the Jingbian Temple, dedicated to Li Mu, a renowned general of the Zhao state during the Warring States period. If you are a fan of the Great Wall, when you visit Yanmenguan, you can walk along the ancient pass trail here. The ancient pass trail in the attraction is built along the local mountain terrain, winding through the peaks. Climbing this section of the trail may be slightly tiring for those who usually work in offices, but when you ascend a peak along the ancient path and gaze at the vast expanse of withered grass outside the pass, quietly feeling the weight of history, you'll find the physical effort well worth it. There are some farmhouse inns near Yanmenguan that can provide food and stay, but most visitors return to Dai County or go to other counties or cities for accommodation. Walking the ancient pass consumes a lot of energy, so you can bring some dry food and drinking water.Dai County · 49.3 km from Ying County

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Featured Culture & history in Ying County

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※Datong Xuankong Temple + Ying County Wooden Pagoda Private Charter 1-Day Tour [Flexible Departure Time | Train Station Pickup]
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5.0/5
· 7 reviews· 48 booked
Duration: 6.9 hrs
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FromPKR 16,078.39
Shanxi Datong Hanging Temple+Yungang Grottoes+Wooden Pagoda 1-Day Transfer Service [Private Car]
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
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FromPKR 4,623.86
Private Group Tour | Datong Classic One‑Day Tour: Hanging Temple, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda & Yungang Grottoes | Door‑to‑Door Pick‑up & Drop‑off service including
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4.7/5
· 3 reviews· 52 booked
Duration: 11.5 hrs
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FromPKR 20,724.10
Yanmen pass great wall + Ying County wooden pagoda + Pure Land Temple + Guangwu ancient town small group 1-day tour | includes one-way expressway fee
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FromPKR 14,186.82
※1-day private charter tour to Xuankong Temple, Yong'an Temple, Ying County Wooden Pagoda, and Pure Land Temple with downtown hotel transfers
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FromPKR 17,024.18
[Private customized] One-day private chartered car tour to Datong Yungang Grottoes, Xuankong Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in Shanxi
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FromPKR 30,055.03
One-day private chartered car tour to Datong Xuankong Temple, Yong'an Temple, Yuanjue Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in Shanxi
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FromPKR 32,366.95

Featured Food & drink in Ying County

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DaTong:Pingcheng Northern Wei Immersive Banquet | Yungang-themed ancient dining experience
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Duration: 1.6 hrs
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Datong Ancient Northern Wei Themed Banquet with Live Performance & Historic Cuisine
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Duration: 100 mins
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FromPKR 21,431.55
Datong Northern Wei Immersive Dinner Show | Yungang cultural banquet
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Duration: 1.6 hrs
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Datong Ancient City Night Food Tour: Taste 10 Local Northern Snacks & Ancient Hutong Walk
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Duration: 3 hrs
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Datong Northern Wei Royal Banquet | Live show & restored ancient cuisine
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Duration: 1.6 hrs
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FromPKR 21,764.47

Featured Day tours in Ying County

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Yungang Grottoes + Hanging Temple + Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Excluding tickets day tour
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4.9/5
· 38 reviews· 138 booked
Duration: 9.5 hrs
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97.4% of travelers recommend
FromPKR 15,726.80
Tour from Datong: Xuankong temple + Ying County wooden pagoda + volcano (admission ticket not included)
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5.0/5
· 13 reviews· 58 booked
Duration: 8.5 hrs
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FromPKR 9,457.88
Private Car Tour: Yungang, Hanging Temple, Yingxian Pagoda or any Datong attractions
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4.8/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 10 hrs
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FromPKR 22,698.91
[Datong Classic One-Day Tour] Yungang Grottoes, Xuankong Temple & Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: Discover National Treasure Ancient Architecture!
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FromPKR 22,462.46

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What travelers say about Ying County

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好学弓长侠November 2, 2026
5.0
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, having withstood a thousand years of wind and rain, still stands majestically. Its exquisite architectural craftsmanship and profound historical significance are truly breathtaking. Only by visiting in person can one appreciate the greatness of the wisdom of the ancients; it is indeed a cultural treasure not to be missed.

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

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186***28October 17, 2026
5.0
Although Jingtu Temple is a lesser-known tourist attraction, it boasts a wealth of cultural significance. The murals on the ceiling of the main hall, in particular, are breathtakingly beautiful, making the trip worthwhile. Definitely worth seeing.

Jingtu Temple

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_We***42June 1, 2026
5.0
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, an ancient building bearing a thousand-year history, stands silently on the land of Shanxi. Its unique structure and exquisite craftsmanship showcase the wisdom and ingenuity of ancient artisans. Through the passage of time, it remains steadfast, seemingly recounting its past glories and vicissitudes. Every brick and tile bears the marks of time, every beam and pillar a testament to historical changes. Standing before it, one can almost hear the whispers of the wind through the pagoda and feel a profound sense of awe that transcends time.

Fogong Monastery

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118***84November 23, 2024
5.0
太美了!简直太震撼了!世界之最!

Ying County Wooden Pagoda Scenic Area - Yingzhou Ancient City Wall Site

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Anonymous userNovember 1, 2026
5.0
A trip to Datong is incomplete without visiting the Hanging Temple, a cliffside pavilion built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, nestled between the cliffs of Cuiping Peak, over 1,500 years old. At first glance, one is awestruck by the ingenuity of the ancient builders. The slender wooden pillars visible to the naked eye are not the main load-bearing elements; the true support for the entire structure comes from the flying beams deeply embedded in the rock face – a testament to their remarkable craftsmanship. When visiting northern Shanxi, be sure to witness this marvel of architecture firsthand.

Xuankong Temple

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Anonymous userNovember 1, 2024
5.0
The experience was very good! The service was also very good. I experienced both 3D and VR. VR's immersive feeling was more real, as if people were really on the wooden tower. You can see the full picture of each floor of the wooden tower, and there is a 20-minute explanation. Bringing children to see it not only systematically understands the structure of the wooden tower, but it will be more meaningful to see the wooden tower with knowledge! The cost performance is very high! Very worthwhile

Yingxian Muta Foya Sheli Vr 3D Experience Hall

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骑着蜗牛赶绿灯November 1, 2025
5.0
The highlight is the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, one of the world's three great pagodas. Its pure wooden mortise and tenon structure, without nails or rivets, has stood for thousands of years and is a true architectural marvel. You can also connect it with Liao Dynasty relics such as the old Guangwu City and the "Moon Gate" of the Guangwu Great Wall to feel the profound history of the frontier.

Liao Dynasty Culture City

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开心天涯客March 1, 2022
4.0
This is a Buddhist temple rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. It is located next to the Main Hall of Fogong Temple in Ying County. It is not large in scale and houses a seated statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. There are also many painted clay sculptures and murals around it. It is open to the public free of charge.

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Scenic Area - Ksitigarbha Hall

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风静水安November 1, 2026
5.0
One Yanmen Pass, half of China's history. This majestic pass guards northern Shanxi, witnessing countless battles throughout the ages. Yanmen Pass, known as the First Pass of China, sits at the mouth of the Hengshan Mountains, flanked by two peaks, a naturally formidable strategic location. Throughout history, countless generals, including Li Mu, Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, and the Yang family generals, have defended this frontier, and countless battles have taken place here. Standing atop the gate tower, the mountain winds howl, and the Great Wall undulates along the mountain ridges. This is the northern gateway to the Central Plains; when war broke out, the world trembled; in times of peace, caravans thronged here. The clash of swords and the thunder of horses have long since vanished, only the majestic pass, the ancient road, and the mountains remain. It is not merely a scenic spot, but a symbol of the frontier in the nation's memory, witnessing millennia of conquest, steadfast defense, and ethnic integration.

Yanmenguan

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M23***37November 2, 2026
5.0
The Yungang Grottoes are truly breathtaking! Standing at the foot of the open-air Buddha statue and looking up, I was instantly captivated by the majestic grandeur of the Northern Wei stone carvings. The details of the statues are exquisite and lifelike, with ingenious designs evident in every flying apsara and relief. The scenic area has excellent facilities, and the guided tours are very professional; only by listening can you truly understand the stories hidden within the stones. Seeing it with your own eyes is what it means to witness a thousand years in a glance. A must-see when visiting Datong!

Yungang Grottoes

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Frequently asked questions

You can give Datong Northern Wei imperial banquet·Immersive royal feast (luxury enjoyment + ancient-style music and dance + imperial banquet + ancient costume-changing experience) and DaTong:Pingcheng Northern Wei Immersive Banquet | Yungang-themed ancient dining experience a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Yungang Grottoes + Hanging Temple + Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Excluding tickets day tour, Tour from Datong: Xuankong temple + Ying County wooden pagoda + volcano (admission ticket not included), and Private Car Tour: Yungang, Hanging Temple, Yingxian Pagoda or any Datong attractions. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 3, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Ying County is around PKR 9,457.88 – PKR 22,698.91. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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