Beijing Tianning Tower
No.8 Tianning Temple Xili, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
Description:
Beijing Tianning Tower is a huge pagoda and is one of the earliest high-rise structures in the capital. It was built at the end of the Liao dynasty in 1120. This is an octagonal pagoda with a height of almost 57.8 meters. It is installed on a square pedestal decorated with various bas-reliefs. The pagoda is built of brick and stone, but imitates the design of wooden pagodas of that period. The pagoda is not hollow inside and is not equipped with stairs.
Throughout its existence, Beijing’s Tianning Tower has never changed its architectural appearance. Only during the earthquake of 1976 was the spire of the pagoda destroyed. It was later restored.