Leigong Tower

Across the shimmering waters of Shan Lake, the Leigong Tower stands proudly. It’s a smaller counterpart to the magnificent Sun and Moon Pagodas. Let’s journey back to the Tang Dynasty. Imagine the original structures gracing the city moat of Guilin. Sadly, time took its toll. But in 2001, the Leigong Tower, along with the Sun and Moon Pagodas, was reborn. The area was meticulously excavated, revealing ancient foundations and lost treasures. Among the discoveries were historic japa mala beads and a stone box holding scrolls penned by a Tang emperor. These scrolls linked Buddhist teachings to the Chinese zodiac. Today, these artifacts reside in an underground museum within the Riyue Shuangta Cultural Park, where the Leigong Tower resides. This park celebrates the harmony of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. You can even find statues of Laozi and Confucius within the museum, reflecting this unique blend of philosophies. While the Leigong Tower might not boast the height of its bronze companion, the Sun Pagoda, or the elegant tiles of the Moon Pagoda, it shares their story of resilience and rebirth. It serves as a quiet testament to Guilin’s enduring spirit, a place where history whispers from the depths of a lake and echoes in the grandeur of reconstructed towers.