The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, officially known as the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple (佛宫寺释迦塔), is the tallest and oldest wooden pagoda in the world.
Built over 950 years ago without a single iron nail, it has withstood earthquakes, wars, and time itself. If you're traveling in the Datong region, this rare wooden pagoda is well worth a stop for architecture and history lovers.
Facts:
- Chinese name: 应县木塔 (Yìngxiàn Mùtǎ)
- Built in: 1056 AD, during the Liao Dynasty
- Height: 67.31 meters (221 feet)
- Floors: 9 levels (5 visible stories, 4 hidden layers), only 1st floor can be visited
- Location: Yingxian County, Datong City, Shanxi Province
- Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (may vary by season)
- Ticket: RMB 50 (USD 6.90 / SGD 9.40)
- Duration: 1–2h
Content Preview
- Why Was It Built
- How to Get to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
- What to Expect During Your Visit
- Tips for Visiting
- How to plan a trip with Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
Why Was It Built
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda was built in 1056 by order of Empress Dowager Xiao of the Liao Dynasty. As a devout Buddhist, she commissioned the pagoda to promote Buddhism and pray for peace in a region long troubled by war.
The pagoda has been repaired several times throughout history. However, a renovation in 1935 removed some key supports and caused structural issues that affected its stability in the years that followed. As a result, visitors are now only allowed to explore the ground floor.
How to Get to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is located about 75 km (47 miles) south of Datong city. There are 3 ways to reach the pagoda from Datong.
Private Car (Most Comfortable Option)
The fastest and most convenient way is by private car, which takes about 1 hour from Datong to the pagoda. For a stress-free experience, we recommend booking a private tour with China Highlights. Our comfortable car and local driver can pick you up directly from your hotel.
You can look at our 4-Day Essence of Datong and Pingyao Tour.
High-Speed Train
You can take a high-speed train from Datong South Station (大同南站) to Yingxian West Station (应县西站). The ride takes 20–30 minutes, and tickets cost around RMB 25 (USD 3.50 / SGD 4.80) per person. From the station, you can take a taxi for a 20–30 minute ride to the pagoda.
Direct Tourist Bus
A direct tourist bus connects Datong Ancient City to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. The journey takes around 75 minutes, with tickets costing RMB 39 (USD 5.40 / SGD 7.50) per person.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Set against a backdrop of blue sky and green trees, the wooden pagoda rises with quiet majesty. From a distance, its aged timber glows in the sunlight; up close, every beam and bracket tells a story.
Architectural Highlights: No Nails
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is a towering structure with a graceful octagonal form. It stands 67.13 meters tall, roughly the height of a 20-story modern building.
What makes it truly astonishing is that it's built entirely of wood, using traditional mortise-and-tenon joints, no nails or metal involved. Over 62 types of these joints have been identified, revealing the incredible craftsmanship behind its construction.
The pagoda features an inner and outer ring of wooden columns—24 on the outside and 8 on the inside—forming a "tower within a tower" design. This structure has helped it survive over 40 earthquakes and more than 200 artillery strikes, without ever collapsing.
Today, you can even find marks of the trials on the wood. Step closer and you'll see thousands of interlocking dougong brackets, each one carefully fitted like wooden puzzle pieces. It is believed to be the tower with the most dougong forms in any surviving ancient Chinese building.
What to See Outside and Inside
Outside, you can find swallows glide around the pagoda, catching insects mid-air, while cats nap in the sun or quietly stroll around. These cats are well loved by visitors. They protect the wooden pagoda from mouse, feel like the furry guardians of this ancient building.
As you walk closer, the towering pagoda rises above the treetops, its stacked wooden layers creating a breathtaking sight that's hard to forget.
Below the eaves, you'll find dozens of ancient plaques from the Ming and Qing dynasties. They are masterpieces of Chinese calligraphy.
Ancient plaques on Yingxian Wooden PagodaTo protect the structure and ensure visitor safety due to the tower's slight tilt, only the first floor is open to the public.
Inside, you'll find an 11-meter-tall clay statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha, one of the tallest indoor mud sculptures still standing in China. If you pay attention to its chest, you'll notice two patches of a different color.
These are traces from when the statue was hollowed out in the past to remove sacred Buddhist scriptures and ancient texts. It's even said that relics from respectful monks (Sarira) were once discovered inside the statue.
Above, the richly painted covered ceiling resembles a heavenly canopy. Around the space, vivid murals and intricate sculptures decorate the walls. There is an interesting detail to watch for: a small dragon curling around a column, using its claw to support the base of the Buddha statue.
Tips for Visiting
- Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal. The weather is comfortable, and the trees around the tower create a beautiful setting. These seasons offer the best light and fewer crowds, but the pagoda can be visited through out the year.
- Respect the building: Please don't touch or lean on the wooden structures. These ancient beams have survived centuries, help protect them for the future.
- No open flames: To prevent fire risks, candles, incense, and smoking are strictly prohibited.
- Photo tips: To capture the pagoda alone, use the surrounding trees as foreground and the sky as a clean background. For photos with people, try low-angle shots from these recommended spots: beneath the eaves of the bell tower next to the pagoda, in front of the Paifang (archway) of Xiaoxitian, or seated on the nearby low wall.
How to plan a trip with Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
If you want to explore all of Datong's main highlights (the Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda), we recommend spending 2 days in the area. These sites are spread out in different directions and cannot realistically be covered in just one day without rushing.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Datong + Yungang Grottoes
The Yungang Grottoes are located only about 45 minutes west of Datong city center. This makes them the convenient first stop after arrival and check in. In the afternoon, crowds tend to thin out, creating a more peaceful and photogenic experience.
Yungang GrottoesDay 2: Hanging Temple + Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
Start early and drive south (about 1.5 hours) to the Hanging Temple, which clings dramatically to a cliff face. It's best visited in the early morning before crowds arrive. Then continue westward for about 1 hour to Yingxian, a quiet town where the world's oldest and tallest wooden pagoda still stands after nearly 1,000 years.
This two-day plan balances convenient travel routes, scenic timing, and visitor comfort, helping you experience Datong at an enjoyable pace.
Optional: Slower Pace with a Local Touch
If you prefer a more relaxed pace, you can dedicate most of Day 2 to Yingxian County. Stroll through its peaceful streets, explore the nearby Jingtu Temple, and try local Shanxi-style noodles in one of the old eateries. You can return to Datong city in the afternoon to visit Huayan Temple or Shanhua Temple for a dose of Buddhist culture.
If you prefer to travel this way, you may need to skip the Hanging Temple or leave it for the morning of Day 3 before departing Datong in the afternoon.
Visit the Pagoda With Us
Private tours with China Highlights make the whole experience smooth and comfortable, with flexible timing and local guides to help you make the most of your trip.
Contact us to tell your interests and schedule, or check our popular itineraries for inspiration: