Bathed in the soft glow of Shan Lake, the Sun and Moon Pagodas stand as a testament to Guilin’s rich history. These twin structures are more than just beautiful; they are a symbol of unity. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, the Sun and Moon Pagodas faced reconstruction in 2001. The reconstruction aimed to restore them as the centerpiece of Riyue Shuangta Cultural Park.
Imagine the scene during the excavation. Shan Lake was drained revealing the original foundations. Workers unearthed artifacts including historic japamala. The most remarkable discovery was a stone box. This box held scrolls written by a Tang Dynasty emperor. These scrolls connected Buddhist teachings to the Chinese zodiac.
Today these artifacts reside in an underground museum right here. This museum celebrates Buddhism Confucianism and Taoism. It features statues of Laozi and Confucius. You will also find reliefs of the Bodhisattva Bhaisajyaguru there. He is the patron of the Chinese Zodiac.
Let’s turn our attention to the Sun Pagoda. It stands 41 meters tall and has nine stories. Its octagonal base supports a bronze facade. It holds the distinction of being the world’s tallest bronze pagoda. Uniquely it’s one of the few pagodas with an elevator. The Moon Pagoda complements its twin. It is 35 meters tall with seven stories. Glazed tile adorns its octagonal base.
Did you know that these pagodas are connected by an underwater glass tunnel? Imagine walking through it. The Sun Pagoda’s ground floor houses a tea house and a bronze bell. This bell is for blessings. Take the elevator up to the sixth level. From there you will climb stairs to see a relic. It is said to be a finger bone of Buddha. Here you can take in the view of downtown Guilin.
The Sun and Moon Pagodas have even made a TV appearance. They served as a pit stop on “The Amazing Race” in 2009. They truly add to the scenery of Shan Lake. The Sun and Moon Pagodas beautifully illuminate the night. They are the highlight of a walk around Guilin’s two central lakes. They represent a harmonious blend of history culture and architectural innovation.