architecture
Huayan Temple, Huayan Pagoda
Datong, Shanxi, China
华严宝塔 (Huáyán bǎotǎ) [Chinese]
Architecture
With a height of 43.5 meters, the Huayan Pagoda is the second largest pagoda in China built entirely of wood using a mortise and tenon design, after the nearby Yingxian Pagoda. Beneath the pagoda is a 500-square-meter underground palace built from nearly 130 tons of pure brass.
higher-level structure
built
2008-2010
work type
form/concept
Architecture: Huayan Temple
full/alternative names
Huayan Monastery
built
1038
destroyed/demolished
1122
temple partially destroyed in the war between the Liao and Jin dynasties
1648
destruction by fire during the suppression of Jiang Rang's rebellion through the Qing dynasty
style/period
work type
architect / constr. phase
1038
original foundation
1140
reconstruction during Jin dynasty
1273
reconstruction during Zhiyuan era of Kublai Khan
1426-1465
reconstruction initiated by monk Master Liao Ran
1652
reconstruction
2008-2010
restoration and reconstruction as part of the Historic City Revitalization Project
Specifications
height
43.5 m
Specification: Huayan Temple
area
66,000 m²
Geography
local language location name
大同 (Dàtóng), 中國 (Zhōngguó) [Chinese]
historical affiliations
1038-1122
1122-1234
1234-1271
1271-1368
1368-1644
1644-1912
1912-1949