The West Temple Tower

The West Temple Tower

The West Temple Pagoda, also known as Huiguang Temple Pagoda, stands on the west side of the middle section of Dongsi street. It has a history of more than 1100 years. Facing the East Temple Pagoda, it has gone through the storm in Kunming and has been repaired many times. It is a witness of ancient civilization and culture. In the plum blossom and misty rain in February, "double tower misty rain" became one of the "Eight Sights of Kunming" in Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Historical origin

Xisi tower is a 13 level square hollow brick tower with dense eaves, about 40.5 meters high. It was first built in the third year of Taihe (829) of emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty and took 30 years to complete.

In 1984, a brick carving with the name of Nanzhao "ten years of Tianqi" (859) was found. It also proves that the brick firing technology of Central Plains was introduced into Kunming in Nanzhao.

Layout structure

The West Temple Pagoda has three floors at the base of Vajra pagoda. On the south side of the first floor of the pagoda, there is a gate to pass through the pagoda. In the pagoda, there is a square well and a small room to pass through the top. There is a wooden ladder to climb the top of the pagoda. The pagoda starts from the second floor, with odd and even layers staggered with niches and voucher holes. The niches are carved with Bodhisattvas, and the voucher door is used for ventilation and light transmission. The tower has a beautiful shape with a raised eaves, which reflects the smooth and majestic architectural characteristics of the ancient tower in the Tang Dynasty.

Xisi pagoda, the top of the pagoda is a copper Tasha, 5 meters high, composed of Xianglun, umbrella cover and munizhu. As one of the characteristics of ancient pagodas in Yunnan, there are bronze golden roosters at the four corners of the top of the pagoda. It is a Buddhist Dapeng canola. In ancient Yunnan, there were many floods, and canola was set at the top of the pagoda, with the town as the dragon.

Many repairs

The West Temple Pagoda has been repaired many times in history. In the 12th year of the Ming Dynasty, the Kunming earthquake toppled the pagoda. Four years later, the pagoda was rebuilt, and a gate and a Buddhist shrine were opened on the pagoda. In the 6th year of the Kangxi reign, the famous monk Derun repaired it again. In the 13th year of the Daoguang earthquake, the pagoda was seriously damaged, the pagoda tilted, and the pagoda temple was damaged. In 1983, the pagoda was repaired again. Although it has been repaired many times, the West Temple Tower still has its magnificent appearance.

cultural meaning

Xishita, as one of the symbols of culture, is not only a Buddhist pagoda, but also a beacon for night travel. The stone tablet of jianta cungong Ji in the 16th year of Hongzhi in Ming Dynasty, found in the sixth floor of the pagoda, records that xishita "lights up at dusk and night, shining like a row of sleepers, shining around the earth, and ringing and hearing everywhere. Those who come from all directions, such as Biji and Jinma, will be happy first

Folklore

In ancient times, the West Temple Pagoda, as a beacon, guides the direction of travelers at night, brings endless excitement to tired pedestrians, and becomes a great scenic spot in Kunming. The bright light and clear bell seem to tell endless joys and sorrows and distant stories.

Address: Dongsi street, Xishan District, Kunming

Longitude: 102.70869445801

Latitude: 25.029386520386

Chinese PinYin : Xi Si Ta