The real name of the Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian is the Sakyamuni Pagoda. Situated in western  Yingxian, the tower is 70 kilometers away from Datong. It was built in Liao Dynasty in year of 1056. The wooden tower was completely made of wood without a single nail. Each storey of the tower is displayed calligraphy. The tower offers valuable information for the research of calligraphic arts and the construction of the wooden tower.
Seen from outside, it has five storeys. However, actually it has nine storeys in total including the four hiding storeys. The design of the tower follows the style of repeating towers with distinctive characteristics of the nation since the Han Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty. The tower is built on a stone base and on the first floor is the Buddhist of Skayamuni who is high and serious and on the head of which is sunk panel, giving a feeling that the heaven is extremely high. There are six pictures of Buddha on the inside wall of the first floor, which are brightly colorful and in appropriate proportion. The six sculptures of Buddha on the flying Apsaras of the roof are lovely, chubby and full of vigor. In the second floor, one main Buddha, two Bodhisattva and two servants stand orderly which are all vivid. Sifang (means four directions) Buddha is facing four directions on the third floor. On the fifth floor, the status of Skayamuni is standing in the center with the eight main Bodhisattvas surrounding in the eight directions. |
