Tourist Guide to Songyue Temple Pagoda
Northern Wei Brick Pagoda · Dodecagon · China's Oldest Pagoda
The Songyue Temple Pagoda was built during the Zhengguang period of the Northern Wei Dynasty, about 1,500 years ago, and is the oldest brick pagoda still existing in China. Its most special feature is its twelve-sided plan—a unique case among ancient Chinese pagodas.
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Destination Details
The Songyue Temple Pagoda is located on the southern slope of Mount Song, north of Dengfeng city. It was built in the fourth year of the Zhengguang period of the Northern Wei Dynasty (523 AD). It is a fifteen-story dense-eaves brick pagoda, about 37 meters high, and its main structure has remained basically unchanged for 1,500 years.
Key Highlights
Twelve-Sided Plan
Most ancient Chinese pagodas are square, hexagonal, or octagonal, but the Songyue Temple Pagoda is twelve-sided—this is the point most repeatedly mentioned in architectural history. The upper part of the pagoda features stacked eaves, with fifteen layers of eaves gradually receding, and the outline forms a gentle parabolic curve. This curve represents the typical aesthetic of dense-eaves pagodas of the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
Pagoda Top and Masonry
The pagoda's finial and the sumeru dome are well-preserved, and the lotus design on the finial clearly shows Indian influence. The pagoda body is constructed with bricks using yellow clay mortar, keeping the walls sturdy despite a thousand years of exposure to wind and rain.
Suggested Route
- Classic: Mountain gate → Plaza in front of the pagoda → Walk around the pagoda → Mahavira Hall, approximately 40 minutes.
- Combine with Shaolin Temple, Songyang Academy, and Zhongyue Temple for a one-day tour in Dengfeng.
Practical Information
The pagoda is not open for climbing, and the best spot for photos is on the steps south of the pagoda. It is about ten kilometers from Shaolin Temple; hiring a car for a tour is the most time-efficient option.
