Jiangsu Tourism | The Song Dynasty Pagoda Hidden in the Old Town - Nantong Tianning Temple

The historical and cultural district of Si Street houses a temple - Nantong Tianning Temple, where the pagoda, scripture repository, and monks' quarters are as unpretentious as the neighboring residences, carving out a pure land amidst the alleys brimming with the breath of life. Tianning Temple was founded during the Tang Dynasty and has a long history. The wooden structures of the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the Mahavira Hall still retain architectural styles from the Song and Yuan dynasties. Particularly, the six inner columns of the Mahavira Hall are made using the 'wrapped ridgepole technique' to create a twelve-ridged, melon-ribbed appearance, which is a distinctly prominent Song Dynasty relic. The Guangxiao Pagoda of Tianning Temple is one of the three pagodas of Nantong (the other two being Wenfeng Pagoda and Zhiyun Pagoda), located in the northwest corner of Tianning Temple. It is the oldest historical site in Nantong, with the saying 'Before the city was built, the pagoda stood; the city was constructed around the pagoda.' Legend has it that the pagoda was built in the year 864 AD, the fifth year of the Tang Xiantong era, and has been repaired through successive dynasties. Today, it still maintains its Song Dynasty appearance as a five-story, eight-sided brick and wood pagoda. The pagoda is tall and exquisite, forming a scenic view to the northwest of Hao River. 🪭Address: No. 11, Middle School Hall Street, Chongchuan District, Nantong City 🕰️Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 🚇Subway: Get off at 'Friendship Bridge' Station on Line 1, then walk or ride a shared bicycle. 🎫Admission is free, and the temple is largely non-commercial, very serene, and suitable for a place to clear one's mind.