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The Beisi Song Pagoda is located on the site of the former Chongshou Temple on Bei Street in Pucheng County, Shaanxi Province (behind the present-day Pucheng County Museum). It is a square brick pagoda with dense eaves, 13 steps on four sides, and stands approximately 47 meters tall, with each base side measuring 11 meters. Construction began in the third year of Shaosheng in the Northern Song Dynasty (1096 AD).
The Song Dynasty Pagoda of Beisi Temple stands majestically tall, simple and elegant, soaring into the clouds. Originally, bells hung from the eaves of each floor. However, an earthquake in the 34th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty damaged the tower, dislodged its spire, and lost all the bells. A comprehensive restoration was carried out in 1985, and a staircase was installed to reach the top floor. The pagoda is now a nationally protected key cultural relic.
After its completion, the North Temple Pagoda became even more majestic and taller than the South Temple Pagoda. From then on, the twin towers stood side by side, their heads held high in the sky, their smile pointing to the white clouds, adding splendor to the ancient city. The towering brickwork also attracted countless fire swallows and gray pigeons to roost and breed, creating the spectacular sight of "flocks of swallows flying around the towers."
The warm temperate continental monsoon climate has four distinct seasons, with changeable spring weather, hot and rainy summer, cool and refreshing autumn, and sunny, cold and dry winter. All four seasons are suitable for travel.
Visiting the Song Dynasty Pagoda at the North Temple, one can see a vaulted door on the south side of the first level. A stone tablet inscribed with the six characters "Zhufo Shali Pagoda" is embedded in the middle of the north side of the second level. From the second level onward, each level has three square columns and brackets on each side, some even with a bracket between the columns. From the seventh level onward, columns are present but brackets are not. Above the brackets are horizontal beams, aprons, and corbels.
The first and second levels each have thirteen stories, with the number gradually decreasing for each level above. Each level of the pagoda features arched doors, many of which are double-faced, real and fake, alternating between real and fake. Some levels have only a single, real arched door. Horizontal lattice windows flank the arched doors (there are no horizontal windows above the ninth level). Bells originally hung from the eaves of each level, their ringing echoing throughout the city when the wind blew. A small Buddha statue is embedded in the south face of the fourth level. A small temple to the north of the pagoda houses a stone Buddha statue and two stone tablets documenting the history of the pagoda's construction.
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The Beisi Song Pagoda, built during the Song Dynasty, is an important historical and architectural landmark in Huayin, Shaanxi. The pagoda stands as a symbol of the region's Buddhist history and is famous for its distinctive multi-tiered design and intricate carvings, which represent the culture and traditions of ancient China.
Beisi Song Pagoda is located in Huayin, Shaanxi Province, near Mount Huashan. You can reach it by taxi from the Huayin city center, or you can take a bus from Xi'an to Huayin, followed by a short taxi ride or walking to the site.
The Beisi Song Pagoda is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The best times to visit are during the spring and autumn months when the weather is mild and the scenery is at its most beautiful.
The entrance fee for Beisi Song Pagoda is approximately ¥20 per person. Tickets can be purchased on-site at the entrance or online through official tourism websites.
Booking tickets in advance is not required, but it is recommended during peak tourist seasons. You can book tickets up to a few days in advance if you prefer.
You can explore the Beisi Song Pagoda and surrounding area in about 1 to 2 hours, depending on your interest in the historical and cultural aspects of the site.
Guided tours are available in Mandarin. Audio guides may also be available, though they are usually in Chinese, so it's helpful to check availability for foreign languages in advance.
The best viewpoint is from the top of the Beisi Song Pagoda, where you can capture a wide-angle view of the surrounding landscape, including Mount Huashan. The pagoda itself also offers great opportunities for architectural photography.
Start by visiting the base of the pagoda, then ascend to the top for the best views. Afterward, explore the surrounding park and museum to gain a deeper understanding of the site's history.
