The Leifeng Pagoda
Ancient temples and pagodas spread all over the vast land of China. Among the miles and miles of ancient pagodas, the one most famous for tugging at our heartstrings with its colorful romantic tales had to be the pagoda sitting at the bank of West Lake in Hangzhou – the legendary Leifeng Pagoda.
A thousand years ago, when it was fast coming to the end of its reign, Wuyue Kingdom took its last breaths of glory in building Leifeng Pagoda within a period of six years (971-977). Henceforth the legend began. Then with the romantic tale, The Legend of the White Snake, its legend launched forever into every heart and soul in China.
In its thousand years of history, Leifeng Pagoda had enjoyed glamorous fame, but also met its share of misfortunes. In its early years, its magnificence and beauty were extolled as the first in history. Then it was repeatedly damaged in war fires, and repeatedly restored. In Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), a civil uprising burned down the wooden eaves and verandas, leaving only the brick core intact. In Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), the grand restoration gave the pagoda a new facelift. In late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), a fire suspected to have been set by pirates reduced the pagoda to a brick core and it stood like this for years.
Damaged in many disasters and dilapidated with disrepair, the pagoda was already in danger of collapsing. More damage to the pagoda resulted when villagers came to steal the bricks from its foundation. On the noon hour of September 25, 1924, this ancient pagoda crashed down into a heap of bricks.
Clamorous spectators rushed to the ruins eager to get their hands on the buried treasures. When the frenzy died down, Leifeng Pagoda was left lying in ruins, with weeds growing all over the desolated mound of rubble.
The pagoda that once stood in mesmerizing beauty under the sunset glow of West Lake won another chance to see the morning light again. In March of 2000, the restoration of Leifeng Pagoda officially began. A team of archeologists marched onto the site of the Pagoda ruins, and started the process of unearthing and discovering.
