Pazhou Pagoda

Pazhou Pagoda
Chinese琶洲塔
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinPázhōutǎ
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingPaa⁴zau¹ Taap³

The Pazhou Pagoda, also known as the Whampoa Pagoda or Pa Chow Pogoda, is an early modern Chinese pagoda on Pazhou Island in Haizhu District, Guangzhou, the capital of China's Guangdong Province.[1]

History

The Whampoa Pagoda initiated work in 1597 and it was completely built in 1600.[1] The pagoda is situated on a knoll at the south bank of Pearl River. Although it was built as a Buddhist landmark, it was also a useful navigation point for merchant ships traveling to Guangzhou.[1][2][3]

Architecture

It is an octagonal tower with 9 main sections and 17 sub sections.[4] The tower stands at about 59 metres (194 ft), and has a diameter at the base of 12.7 metres (42 ft).[4] It covers a total area of 111 square metres.[4]

Functioning in a similar fashion to Chigang Pagoda, it was built for Fengshui and allow safe navigation of merchant ships traveling along the Pearl River towards Guangzhou.[4]

  • The Pazhou Pagoda in 2023
    The Pazhou Pagoda in 2023
  • The Pagoda in 1880
    The Pagoda in 1880
  • Drawing of the Pagoda and Changzhou Island, 1858
    Drawing of the Pagoda and Changzhou Island, 1858

References

  1. ^ a b c "Pazhou Pagoda". Source: gz.gov.cn. 2009-11-04.
  2. ^ "Ancient Architecture of Guangzhou: Pagodas". www.newsgd.com. 2003-05-29.
  3. ^ "琶洲塔简介". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  4. ^ a b c d China Travel. "Pazhou Tower".

23°06′06″N 113°22′13″E / 23.10176°N 113.37027°E / 23.10176; 113.37027

Media related to Whampoa Pagoda at Wikimedia Commons