The Six Harmonies Pagoda was built in 970 CE during the Wuyue Kingdom period on Yuelun Hill overlooking the Qiantang River, reportedly to appease the river's powerful tidal bore, popularly attributed to a dragon spirit; its name refers to the six Buddhist harmonies. The original wooden pagoda burned down in 1121 amid Song-era warfare and was rebuilt with a brick core between 1152 and 1156 during the Southern Song dynasty; the wooden exterior seen today was added during a Qing-dynasty restoration in 1899-1900, giving the pagoda 13 visible external eaves but only 7 climbable interior stories. The interior retains carved brick relief panels and Buddhist niches from the surviving Song-dynasty core, alongside Qing-era wooden staircases and balconies that visitors climb today. Historically the pagoda served both a religious function and as a navigational marker for ships on the Qiantang River. A 1990s restoration reinforced the structure and repainted the exterior lacquer while leaving the Song-dynasty brick interior largely undisturbed.
| Admission | ¥20 (~$2.98) grounds entry; additional ¥10 (~$1.49) to climb the pagoda interior |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7:00 AM-5:30 PM (Apr-Oct); 7:00 AM-4:55 PM (Nov-Mar) |
| Address | 16 Zhijiang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China |
Why it matters
The Six Harmonies Pagoda has stood above the Qiantang River since 970 CE and served historically as a functional navigation marker for river traffic, making it one of Hangzhou's oldest continuously used landmarks.
Location
16 Zhijiang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
30.1993, 120.1319 View on map
Highlights
- Song-dynasty brick core dating to 1152-1156 beneath a Qing-era wooden exterior
- 13 external eaves but only 7 climbable interior stories
- Panoramic views over the Qiantang River and its tidal bore
- Carved brick relief panels and Buddhist niches inside the original core
- Built in 970 CE to symbolically calm the river's tides
Tips for visiting
- Climb to the top for the clearest view of the Qiantang River Bridge and river bend
- The extra ¥10 interior-climb ticket is worth it for the river views from the top balcony
- Visit near dusk for views of the river without midday haze
- The stairs inside are steep and narrow, so sturdy shoes are recommended
- Pair the visit with a walk along the riverside park at the pagoda's base
Frequently asked questions
Is the pagoda accessible to visitors who don't read Chinese?
Basic bilingual signage is provided at the entrance, though detailed historical panels are mostly in Chinese.
How long does a visit take?
Climbing the interior and viewing the grounds takes about 1 hour.
Can children climb the pagoda?
Yes, though the stairways are steep and narrow, so supervision is advised for young children.