List of pagodas in Beijing


This list of pagodas in Beijing comprises all Buddhist and Taoist pagodas erected within Beijing Municipality, an area which covers the city of Beijing as well as its surrounding districts and counties. The list includes some important pagodas that are no longer standing.
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Pagodas have been erected in the city of Beijing since at least the Sui dynasty. Many large-scale pagodas were erected during the Liao dynasty, when Beijing was one of the four secondary capitals established by the Khitans. Most of the pagodas built during the Liao dynasty are octagonal, solid pagodas made out of brick and stone, with multiple tiers of closely spaced eaves. Important examples of Liao pagodas in Beijing include the Tiankai pagoda, the Yunju pagoda. and the Tianning pagoda. The latter pagoda is the oldest surviving major building in the city of Beijing.
Beijing was promoted to be the principal capital of the Jurchen Jin dynasty in 1153. The Jin capital was destroyed by the Mongols, under Genghis Khan, in 1215, and no pagodas dating from this period survive within the city of Beijing. However, a group of five pagodas erected within a temple at Silver Mountain near Beijing is still standing.
During the Yuan dynasty, Beijing was for the first time the capital of all China, and under the auspices of Kublai Khan the city was rebuilt on a grander scale. Pagodas constructed during the Yuan dynasty include traditional Liao-style multi-eaved pagodas, such as the twin pagodas of Qingshou Temple. In addition, as the Mongolian rulers of the Yuan dynasty were patrons of Tibetan Buddhism, this period saw the introduction of a new Tibetan style pagoda, painted white and in the shape of a stupa, often referred to as a dagoba. The fine example of a white dagoba at Miaoying Temple was commissioned by Kublai Khan in 1271, and constructed under the supervision of the Nepali architect Araniko. An unusual "straddling the street pagoda", consisting of an arch surmounted by three white dagobas was built by command of the last Yuan emperor, Toghon Temür, in 1342–1345, although now only the arch base is still standing.
Beijing continued as the capital of China during most of the Ming dynasty. A fine example of a Ming dynasty pagoda is the Pagoda of Cishou Temple, built in 1576 by the Wanli Emperor for the Empress Dowager Li, which is modelled on the Liao dynasty pagoda at Tianning Temple.
Beijing was the capital of China throughout the Qing dynasty. Like the Mongolians during the Yuan dynasty, the Manchu rulers of the Qing dynasty were patrons of Tibetan Buddhism, and so the Qing dynasty saw the erection of further examples of Tibetan-style white dagobas, including examples at Dajue Temple and on an island in Beihai Park. Other examples of pagodas from this period include the Duobao Glazed Pagoda in the Summer Palace, which is covered in glazed statuettes of a buddhas.
During the 20th century, some pagodas in Beijing were destroyed by war, particularly during the Second Sino-Japanese War. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, a new era of modernization threatened the survival many ancient buildings and structures in Beijing. Despite the vocal protests of the architect Liang Sicheng, a pair of famous pagodas in the centre of the city, built during the Yuan dynasty, were demolished in 1954 so that Chang'an Avenue could be enlargened.

List of pagodas

PagodaImageDate of constructionLocationDescriptionNotes
Beizheng Pagoda

Octagonal, thirteen-tiered, multi-eaved style brick pagoda.On the site of the Chongfu Temple, founded during the Sui or Tang dynasties. The pagoda collapsed in June 1977, and more than 60 religious artefacts were recovered from the ruins.
Biyun Temple Diamond throne pagoda

Diamond throne pagoda, in height.The Temple of Azure Clouds was founded during the Yuan dynasty, and the pagoda constructed as part of the renovation of the temple by the Qianlong Emperor in 1748.
Cishou Temple Pagoda

Octagonal, thirteen-tiered, multi-eaved style stone and brick pagoda, in height.At Cishou Temple, built in 1576 by the Wanli Emperor for the Empress Dowager Li.
Cloud Platform at Juyongguan

A "straddling the street" style pagoda, consisting of an arch base, on which three white stupa style pagodas were erected.Originally at the south gate to the Yongming Baoxiang Temple. The three pagodas on the arch had collapsed by the reign of the Zhengtong Emperor, and now only the arch remains.
Dajue Temple Pagoda

A white stupa style pagoda with an octaogonal base, in height.Built to store the relics of the monk Jialing , who was abbot of the Dajue Temple during the 1720s.
Duobao Glazed Pagoda

Three-storeyed pagoda covered with glazed statuettes of buddhas, with double or triple tiers of eaves on each storey.
Fragrant Hills Pagoda

Octagonal-shaped pagoda with seven stories, in height.
Haotian Pagoda

Five-storeyed octagonal, hollow brick pagoda, in height.Earliest pagoda on the site was constructed during the Sui dynasty.
Jade Peak Pagoda

Octagonal, seven-storeyed brick and stone pagoda, in height.Built for the Qianlong Emperor in imitation of the Cishou Pagoda on the Golden Hill in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu.
Lingguang Temple Pagoda

Octagonal, thirteen-storeyed pagoda, in height.
Luogong Pagoda at White Cloud Temple

Miaoying Temple White Pagoda

White, stupa style pagoda, in height.Built on the site of a Liao dynasty pagoda erected in 1092. The current pagoda was commissioned by Kublai Khan in 1271, and its construction was supervised by the Nepali architect Araniko. In 1978, many religious artefacts deposited in the pinnacle of the stupa in 1753 by the Qianlong Emperor were discovered.
Monk Wansong Pagoda

Octagonal, nine-storeyed, brick pagoda, in height.A seven-storeyed brick pagoda was built to house the remains of Wansong Xingxiu, but a new nine-storeyed pagoda was built around the original pagoda in 1753, and the original pagoda was only rediscovered in 1986.
Qingshou Temple Twin Pagodas

Two octagonal, multi-eaved style pagodas, one named after the temple's eminent abbot, the Chan master Haiyun , the other named after Haiyun's disciple, Ke'an 可庵. The Pagoda of Haiyun was nine storeys high, and the Pagoda of Ke'an was seven storeys high.On the site of the Qingshou Temple, which was founded during the Jin dynasty, in 1186. The two pagodas were demolished in 1954 to widen Chang'an Avenue.
Randeng Pagoda

Octagonal, thirteen-storeyed brick and wooden pagoda, in height.
Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest

Seven octagonal, stone pagodas.A group of five pagodas built on the site of the Yanshou Temple, and two separate pagodas. Two of the pagodas date to the Liao dynasty, and five of the pagodas date to the Jin dynasty. The temples were destroyed during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Tiankai Pagoda

Octagonal, three-storeyed, multi-storey style pagoda, in height.On the site of the Tiankai Temple, founded during the Tang dynasty. A pagoda was first built on this site during the Tang dynasty, but the present pagoda dates to the Liao dynasty. In 1990, more than 30 religious artefacts were recovered from the pagoda during emergency excavations to secure the safety of the pagoda. The pagoda was restored in 2005.
Tianning Temple pagoda

Octagonal, thirteen-storeyed, solid brick and stone pagoda, in height.Supposedly built on the site of a wooden pagoda erected under Emperor Wen of Sui in 602.
Wayao Pagoda

Seven-tiered, multi-eaved style brick pagoda.On the site of a temple where there were originally several dozen multi-eaved style brick pagodas dating to the Jin, Yuan and Ming dynasties. All but one of these pagodas were destroyed during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Wanfotang Ornamental Pagoda

Octagonal, brick pagoda separated into three vertical sections, with the top section comprising nine layers with niches for Buddhist sculptures all around.There are inscriptions dating to the Liao, Jin and Yuan dynasties written in ink on the pagoda, including inscriptions dated the 6th year of the Xianyong era and the 7th year of the Shouchang era.
Wanfotang Multi-eaved Pagoda

Seven-tiered, multi-eaved style brick pagoda.
Wugou Pagoda

On the site of Yilin Temple. Destroyed during an earthquake in 1720. In 1963 the underground hall of the pagoda was excavated, and about thirty religious artefacts were discovered.
Yao Guangxiao Pagoda

Nine-storeyed pagoda, in height.Master Yao Guangxiao was buried underneath this pagoda.
Yexian Pagoda

Octagonal, three-storeyed, multi-storey style pagoda, in height.On the site of the Puzhao Temple. Destroyed in the mid 20th century. In 1988 the pagoda base was excavated, and more than 40 religious artefacts, as well as a large quantity of coins, were found.
Yong'an Temple White Pagoda

White stupa style pagoda, in height.Reconstructed in 1679 and 1731 after being severely damaged by earthquakes. Further repaired in 1976 after the Tangshan earthquake.
Yongding Pagoda

Octagonal wooden pagoda, in height.A large wooden pagoda built for the Beijing International Garden Expo.
Yunju Temple North Pagoda

Octagonal, eleven-tiered, multi-eaved style stone pagoda, in height.Built to house Buddhist scriptures engraved on stone tablets during the reign of Emperor Daozong of Liao. Between 1957 and 1958 10,082 stone tablets engraved with Buddhist scriptures during the Liao and Jin dynasties were recovered from the underground hall in the pagoda.
Yunju Temple South Pagoda

First built in 1117, it was destroyed during the Second Sino-Japanese War, and it was rebuilt in 2014.
Yunju Temple Stone Pagoda

A square-shaped stone pagoda.It is one of the few remaining Tang dynasty stone pagodas in the grounds of the temple complex.
Zhenjue Temple Diamond throne pagoda

Diamond throne pagoda, with a square base in height, surmounted by four eleven-storeyed square-based pagodas at the corners and one thirteen-storeyed square-based pagoda in the middle. In total the diamond throne pagoda is in height.Modelled after the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India.