Why is White Pagoda Mountain Park special?
Located in the north of Lanzhou City, the White Pagoda Mountain Park gains its name for the 17-meter-high White Pagoda standing inside. With images of Buddha on its eight sides, the seven-story pagoda is pure white from top to bottom with the exception of the green top which greatly enhances the glamour of the whole building.
The White Pagoda is the landmark of the White Pagoda Park. According to the legend, the White Pagoda was built in honor of a well-known Tibetan Lama. As a representative of the leader of Sakyapa, the Tibetan Lama was sent to Mongolia to meet Genghis Khan, founder of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Unfortunately, the lama passed away on his way. During the following decades, the original pagoda toppled down. The present White Pagoda was constructed by an official in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and later extended by an imperial inspector in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Standing on the top of the pagoda offers a bird’s view of the Lanzhou city.
White Pagoda Mountain Park Highlights
White Pagoda
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.
White Pagoda Park
White Pagoda Park opened to the public in 1958. Covering an area of 8,000 square meters, the park has three stately and magnificent ancient architectural complexes, which are in harmony with the surrounding natural landscape and the White Pagoda Mountain. The mountain was once famed for its “Three Treasures”, namely the Elephant Skin Drum, Bronze Bell, and Redbud that withered long ago. After many years' of forestation, the park has taken on a brand new look with luxuriant trees and grass now. Special features of the park are the Mysterious Yellow River Stone Hall and the Yugur Reception Counting House which may not be found elsewhere. White Pagoda Mountain with the Zhongshan Bridge at its foot forms a magnificent view. And together they have become a symbol of Lanzhou City.