White Pagoda Park

The White Pagoda Mountain Park, famous for its white pagoda built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), is located at the northern bank of the Yellow River in Lanzhou. The white pagoda, 17 meters high, has a round foundation and seven floors. Its eight sides contain many statues of Buddha. The mountain where the park is located also boasts the elephant-skin drum, bronze bell and redbud tree, which are the so-called "three treasures of the town." Tourists enjoy an excellent bird-eye view of Lanzhou from the park.

Legend has it that the White Pagoda was built in honor of a well-known Tibetan Lama who died of an illness in Lanzhou when on his way to Mongolia as representative of the leader of Sakyapa in order to meet Genghis Khan, founder of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Unfortunately, the original pagoda later toppled down. The present White Pagoda was constructed by an official in the reign of Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and later extended by an imperial inspector in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The pagoda has a unique shape and exquisite structure, which is an excellent example of ancient pagodas. Generally, a pagoda combines two styles: the lower part is multi-storied, while the upper part takes the shape of an inverted bowl. However, this pagoda reversed the rule. The lower part of White Pagoda is an inverted bowl and its upper part is multi-storied, making it a rare example among ancient pagodas. The pagodas square base supports a huge Sumeru pedestal. On top of the pedestal is the hemispherical inverted-bowl-shaped part, then the multi-storied part.

In 1958, White Pagoda Park was opened to the public. Covering an area of 8,000 square meters（about two acres), the park has three stately and magnificent ancient architectural complexes within it. These harmonize with the surrounding natural landscape and the White Pagoda Mountain beyond.

After many years' forestation, the park has taken on a brand new look and now the trees and grass here are luxuriant. Special features of the park are the Mysterious Yellow River Stone Hall and the Yugur Reception Counting House the likes of which may not be found elsewhere. If one has an opportunity to visit this park, a climb to the top of pagoda should not be missed, as it affords a bird's eye view of the whole of Lanzhou City. One can also feast one's eyes on the magnificent view of White Pagoda Mountain with the Zhongshan Bridge at its foot. The way in which the bridge and mountain complement each other to form picturesque scene has meant that together they have become a symbol of Lanzhou City and very much a 'must see' for travelers.

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