Six Harmonies Pagoda



The Six Harmonies (Liuhe) Pagoda lies in Yuelun Hill on the north bank of the Qiantang River in
Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The name "six harmonies" comes from the six Buddhist ordinances,
meaning "harmonies of the heaven, earth, north, south, east, and west".

The pagoda was first built in 970 AD by the King of Wuyue State, who intended to demonstrate his
authority by conquering the evil of the river tidal bore of the Qiantang River. By the end of the Qing
Dynasty, the upturned wooden multi-eaves and wrapping structure was added to the pagoda and, in
the eyes of the people, presented the soul and labor of ancient Chinese.

The Six Harmonies Pagoda is definitely a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture that continually
attracts visitors both home and abroad. Visitors here may be shocked and entertained not only by the long and splendid history of China but also
the arts of Chinese calligraphy and seal-cutting. There are various sorts of stone tablets and stone statues both inside and out of the pagoda, left
over from the past times. One may see relics such as a minister's tablet, a Buddhist scripture tablet, a god statue, a poem inscription, and similar
artifacts from different dynasties. Moreover, the Center of Ancient Chinese Pagodas has opened near the pagoda. It features all kinds of the
ancient pagodas erected in the different areas and different dynasties. One will have an appreciation of the quintessence of ancient Chinese
pagodas.

The extant pagoda is octagonal, has thirteen levels on the exterior but seven levels on the interior, stands 59.89 meters high, and is one of the
tallest pagodas in southern China. The body of the pagoda was built of brick, but the pent roofs were made of wood. Inside the pagoda winding
staircases line the walls, leading to the top level. Each storey has a square room, its ceiling supported by brackets. The sunk panel on the ceiling
was made by stacking bricks to form saw edges. The walls of the pagoda are carved with human figures, flowers, birds, fish, insects and other
decorative patterns, all vividly done. The balconies with banisters around each storey are spacious and convenient for people to walk around and
enjoy the beautiful landscape in the open.

Commanding a spectacular view of the surging Qiantang River, the pagoda presents a quiet image of age-old
majesty. Looking out from the top of the pagoda, sightseers can see as far as the misty horizon, enjoying an
unforgettable, breathtaking experience.