Live Your Best Lives
Xuchang Wenfeng Pagoda, also known as the Wenming Temple Pagoda, is located within the Xuchang Museum in Henan Province. Its construction was initiated by Zheng Zhenguang, the prefect of Xuzhou, in 1615 AD. The 51.3-meter-tall, octagonal pagoda is a 13-story pavilion-style brick tower consisting of an underground palace, a base, a main body, and a finial.
Xuchang Wenfeng Pagoda is an octagonal, 13-story, pavilion-style brick pagoda, standing 49.536 meters tall. It comprises a base, pedestal, tower body, and pagoda finial. The base is octagonal, constructed of horizontal bricks laid in a straight line. The pedestal is an octagonal stone pedestal with a waist, embossed with a continuous pattern of upturned and inverted lotus and curling grass, creating an exquisite and beautiful scene. A semicircular Ruyi step is built to the south of the pedestal. With the exception of the first floor, the width of each floor decreases slightly from bottom to top, and the height of each floor decreases evenly.
Xuchang's Wenfeng Pagoda, with its rigorous structure and majestic appearance, stands tallest among the more than 200 Ming Dynasty brick pagodas in Henan Province. It was designated a provincial-level cultural relic protection site in 1963 and was approved by the State Council on May 25, 2006, for inclusion in the sixth batch of national key cultural relic protection sites. "The Towering Wenfeng" is one of Xuchang's ten scenic spots.
Located in a warm temperate subhumid monsoon climate, the tower boasts a rigorous structure and simple, ancient form, similar in appearance to the Songyouguo Temple Pagoda in Kaifeng. It stands as the tallest of over 200 Ming Dynasty brick pagodas in Henan Province and holds significant value for the study of ancient Chinese architectural history. It's a great place to visit in all seasons.
A spiral staircase leads to the top of the tower. A vase-shaped pagoda cap rests on the tower's body. A bronze mirror and a bronze sword are placed in the celestial palace on the top of the tower, discovered during maintenance in August 1994. The tower's body consists of the outer wall, corridors, and core columns, or ventricles. Both the inner and outer walls are constructed of blue-gray bricks laid in a three-by-one arrangement. The eaves are supported by brick brackets imitating a wood structure. The brackets are arranged in a seven-step, three-outer configuration, cleverly distributed across the central, side, and outer brackets, creating a regular and orderly layout.
The corner brackets extend diagonally from the seated brackets, forming seven steps and three arched brackets. Stone dragon head corner beams extend from each wing corner, and brick strips are used to build the arched corners. Wind chimes are hung at each corner. Semicircular arched doors and windows are located on all four sides of the tower. The semicircular arched door on the south side of the first floor features a rectangular stone inscription with the characters "文笔崇秀" (literary writing style) engraved in the center and "万立４２年" (Wanli 42nd Year) inscribed in relief in the upper left corner. The caisson in the first-floor core chamber is constructed with interlaced brick layers, alternating between diamond-shaped tooth bricks and small brick arches.
It is recommended to play for about 1 hour.
free
9:00-17:00, closed on Mondays
Wenfeng Tower in Xuchang is a historical landmark built to honor literary culture and scholars. It reflects traditional Chinese architecture and serves as a symbol of cultural heritage in Xuchang.
Open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Early morning or late afternoon visits are best for photography and fewer crowds.
Entrance fee is generally around 20 CNY. Tickets can be purchased onsite; online booking options may be available through local tourism websites.
Advance booking is usually not required. For weekends or holidays, booking a day or two ahead is recommended to avoid queues.
1–2 hours are sufficient to explore the tower, enjoy views, and walk around the surrounding park.
Guided tours are occasionally available in Mandarin; there are typically no audio guides in other languages.
Enter the tower, climb to the top viewing platform, descend while observing inscriptions and architecture, then explore the surrounding park and gardens.
Night visits and light shows are generally not available; the tower is open only during daylight hours.
It can be moderately busy on weekends and holidays. Weekdays, especially mornings, are the least crowded.
The base and park areas are accessible, but climbing the tower involves stairs, which may be challenging for elderly or disabled visitors.
Cash, cards, and mobile payments are generally accepted at ticket counters and nearby vendors.
Several local restaurants and cafes in central Xuchang are within walking distance, serving Henan cuisine and light snacks.
Vegetarian options are available at local restaurants; halal options may require prior inquiry.
Several mid-range and budget hotels are located within 1–2 km of Wenfeng Tower, offering convenient access.
Souvenir shops sell postcards, local handicrafts, and small replicas of Wenfeng Tower.
