Shanxi Ancient Architecture Tour: Ruicheng National Protected Shousheng Temple Pagoda

🏯Shanxi's ancient buildings are blooming everywhere. In Yuncheng alone, there are 102 national-level cultural relic protection units. In Ruicheng, the pearl of the Yellow River bordering Tongguan County in Shaanxi Province, you can see this towering ancient pagoda from the Song Dynasty - Shousheng Temple Pagoda, just by wandering around the city. ✔️Shousheng Temple, where the Shousheng Temple Pagoda is located, is one of the earliest Buddhist holy sites in China. The brick pagoda of Shousheng Temple was built by King Ashoka and was destroyed during wars. Currently, except for the brick pagoda, all buildings in the temple are modern imitations of ancient styles. The rebuilt Shousheng Temple is not large, just the most basic temple layout, including the mountain gate, main hall, and east and west side halls. The temple is surrounded by wide streets and urban areas. 1️⃣The ancient pagoda is in the backyard of Shousheng Temple, standing on the most prominent central axis. It was built in the eighth year of Xining in the Northern Song Dynasty, more than a thousand years ago. 2️⃣The ancient pagoda is a brick pagoda in the style of a wooden structure pavilion, with an octagonal plan and a total of thirteen levels. The pagoda body is tall and elegant, with the first level being the highest. From bottom to top, it gradually narrows, and the top of the pagoda is an iron-covered dome, forming a conical outline. Buddha niches are set on all four sides of the second to tenth levels. Bells are hung on the eaves corners of the pagoda body, which jingle when the breeze blows. 3️⃣According to the introduction, there is a small door under the brick pagoda that can be entered, with a wooden ladder leading to the top of the pagoda. However, to protect the cultural relics, the wooden ladder is locked and not open to visitors. The murals on the inner walls of the pagoda from the Song Dynasty cannot be seen in person. 4️⃣Walking out of the temple, you can see the red walls and the pagoda temple reflecting each other. In the distance is the modern human atmosphere, and nearby is the towering ancient pagoda containing a thousand years of history. The ancient pagoda has witnessed the passage of history and the inheritance of culture. 🎫Tickets: Free admission. 📍Address: At the intersection of Sheli East Street and Sheli Street, Guwei Town, Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City. Convenient for self-driving parking, there is a small parking lot outside the temple, free of charge. The county is not large, and you can also take a taxi to get there. 🍱Nearby food: Less than a kilometer away, next to Ruicheng Grand Hotel, there is a 'Cooked Meat Shop,' which is also a local delicacy we found according to the guide. The small shop is very popular. Braised meat is a traditional snack in Ruicheng, especially when the braised meat is added to the golden-baked triangular cake. One bite, crispy and crumbly, so delicious that you can't stop eating. And for more than 20 yuan, you can get three cakes and a medium portion of braised meat. ↪️Recommended one-day tour route in Ruicheng: Guangrenwang Temple → Yongle Palace Scenic Area → Chenghuang Temple Scenic Area → Shousheng Temple Scenic Area → Xihoudu Scenic Area.