Yingying Pagoda

» Yuncheng, Shan Xi

Yingying Pagoda Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Yingying Pagoda stands in the Pujiu Temple in northwest of Yongji County, Shanxi Province. Originally named Pujiu Temple Pagoda or Sheli Pagoda, it is where Zhang and Yingying met and pledged their love. Its comely shape and role in The West Chamber, the Story of Yingying by Yuanzhen of the Tang Dynasty, have resulted in it later being renamed the Yingying Pagoda.

In 1555 during the reign of Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty, a severe earthquake occurred and destroyed the temple. It was reconstructed on the base of the original framework of the damaged pagoda around 1560. Despite reconstruction, the pagoda has retained part of its Tang Dynasty style.

Yingying pagoda is also famous as an example of consummate architectural excellence. Like most Tang pagodas, it is a quadrangular, 13-story structure of compactly stacked eaves, of a height of 36.76 meters. What makes it singular is its bewitching echo acoustics. The pagoda is one of four ancient echo buildings extant in China, the others being the Echo Wall in Beijing's Temple of Heaven, Baolun Temple Pagoda in Henan, and the Stone Harp in the Giant Buddha Temple, Sichuan. Built with fine bricks at the top of a slope in open fields, the pagoda is a perfect conductor of sound, its hollow body enabling sound waves to resonate. Knocking on the ground with a stone 20 meters from the pagoda, it is possible to hear echoes reminiscent of a frog croaking, hence the reference to it as the Pujiu Frog.

The Frog Beating Platform west of the pagoda is where the most effective echo may be produced, as constant strokes over past centuries have left a dent on the petrous slate. On the slope down from the platform is the Frog Croak Pavilion where the reverberation can be heard most clearly.

Attractions around » Yuncheng, Shan Xi

Historical Site

• Yingying Pagoda
• Yongle Palace

Yingying Pagoda Highlights

Tower & Pagoda in Great China

• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower
• Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
• Drum Tower
• Bell Tower
• Yellow Crane Tower
• Jiaxiu Tower
• Iron Pagoda
• Liuhe Pagoda
• Tianfeng Pagoda
• Sugong Pagoda
• Wooden Pagoda
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda
• Nong'an Liao Tower
• Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda
• Kaifeng Po Pagoda
• Yingying Pagoda
• Suojiang Tower

Yingying Pagoda FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Are there any tips about the weather in Taiyuan?

  Food

1. What should I note when eating in Shanxi?

  Shopping

1. What speciality products does Shanxi have?

  Travel

1. Some tips on touring around temples on Mt. Wutaishan

• Are there any tips about the weather in Taiyuan?

  Shanxi province is located on the Loess Plateau and is windy and dusty. So you had better not dress in light color. Besides, the air is dry and you should take good care of your skin, and drink more water, or else your lips will be chapped.

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• What should I note when eating in Shanxi?

  The soil in Shanxi province is alkaline, so we strongly recommend you to drink a spoon of local mature vinegar before your three meals a day because the local vinegar could reduce the alkalescence and prevent intestinal disease.

  Proper diet is important. Do not eat too much. Eat more vegetables, fruits and drink more water in order to adapt yourself to the plateau-climate. You had better not smoke or drink.

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• What speciality products does Shanxi have?

  Pingyao beef, Pingyao lacquerwork, Shanxi mature vinegar, Shanxi red date, "Fen jiu" (a kind of famous Chinese hard liquor), mushrooms and tropaeolum of Mount Wutaishan and so on.

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• Some tips on touring around temples on Mt. Wutaishan

  The mountain area is scattered with many famous temples which are the highlights of Mt. Wutaishan tour. There are several aspects tourists should pay attention to, such as:

  • Monk in these temples should be styled "Shifu" or "Fashi" while the abbot styled "Zhanglao," "Fangzhang," or "Shanshi (Chan master)." All the forms of address show the respect for the monks. Monk in lamasery should be addressed as "lama," meaning great master. Do not call them "Heshang" or "Chujiaren" or even other insulting name.
  
  
  • When meeting monks in these temples, you should salute them by putting the palms together and lowering your head slightly or you can put upright one of your hand before chest and lower your head. Never shake their hands, embrace them, touch their heads or other unsuitable action.
  
  
  • When talking with the monks, you should not speak of killing, marriage and eating meat in order to avoid arousing their antipathy. Don't speak loudly, discuss casually, lampoon, touch the Buddhist figures or leave any mark on statues. You may stand and look silently or leave quietly if you come across the Buddhist ceremony. Take care of your kids lest naive children behave impolitely.
  
  
  • No smoking in the temples. Do not leave litter. Taking photographs is not permitted.
  
  
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