Hengshan Pagoda in Gaoshan Village, Longyou, Zhejiang

Hengshan Pagoda is located on a small hilltop south of Hengshan Town, Longyou County. Originally built in the thirteenth year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1534), it covers an area of 50 square meters. It is an octagonal, seven-story hollow brick pagoda in the style of a multi-storied building. It currently stands at a height of 28.3m, with an inner diameter of 3.5m and a wall thickness of 1.2m. Hengshan Pagoda has a precise construction date, is well-preserved, and exhibits high overall artistry. Hengshan Pagoda is a typical example of a Ming Dynasty feng shui pagoda, demonstrating high artistic value. Its exterior structure imitates a wooden pavilion, with each side featuring pillars, imitation beams, ink-painted Dougong brackets, and various ink-painted patterns. Notably, on the fourth-story eaves' corner, there is a dragon-head brick carving and a mythical coin-shaped beast, a rare feature in Ming Dynasty pagodas. Having stood for over 470 years, Hengshan Pagoda remains well-preserved, a testament to the scientific and rational design, construction, and site selection. The pagoda consists of a base, the main tower body, and a spire. The octagonal base features different carved relief patterns on each side. Each story of the tower body has hidden lintels on each side, with arched doorways on alternating sides. Above the third story, niches are set into the inner walls on alternating sides. The eaves are formed by corbelled layers of diamond-shaped and serrated bricks, each with five layers, and the corners of the eaves are upturned. The spire is composed of an inverted bowl, a precious pearl, a series of discs (only one remains), and a canopy. Eight hanging chains connect the spire to the octagonal structure. The tower body tapers gradually towards the top, with well-proportioned dimensions. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit.