Shaolin Pagoda Forest

The Shaolin Pagoda Forest lies within the Shaolin Temple Scenic Area near Dengfeng City, Henan, about 300 metres west of Shaolin Temple. It is a cemetery of brick and stone pagodas that hold the remains of Shaolin abbots and distinguished monks, and it is often described as the largest pagoda group in China, with more than 200 pagodas. The earliest dates from the Tang dynasty, and the pagodas span the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, so the forest illustrates how the funerary tradition and pagoda design evolved over roughly a thousand years. The pagodas vary in height, from about one metre to around 15 metres, and in form, with square, hexagonal, octagonal and circular plans, with between one and seven storeys. Each pagoda's size and number of levels reflected the rank and achievements of the monk it commemorates, and many bear inscriptions naming the person and giving dates. The styles include stone-carved and brick-built types, and some feature carved reliefs, bands of decoration and small niches. Because of their age, some have weathered heavily, leaning slightly or losing surface detail. The approach is open-air and self-guided, with signage and the visual density of the monuments giving the main impression, rather than a curated museum path. Conservation work has repaired damaged pagodas, consolidated foundations and controlled vegetation, and the site is protected as part of the historic monuments of Dengfeng within the UNESCO-listed area. Entry is included in the Shaolin scenic area ticket, which costs around CNY 80-100 and should be verified at the gate. The forest is normally visited together with Shaolin Temple, and the walk between the two is short. Signage carries some English, and a local guide or audio guide can help explain how to read the rank and period of individual pagodas. The site is open from about 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.