The Baochu Pagoda stands on Baoshi Mountain and is also known as the Jade Pagoda. It is located directly across from the Leifeng Pagoda, but while the latter is associated with an old monk, the Baochu Pagoda is likened to a young beauty. The structure was built during the Northern Song Dynasty. One day, the emperor ordered the leader of the Wuyue Kingdom to come to him, and since he did not return for a long time, his uncle, as a gesture of his concern, had a nine-story pagoda built using a combination of wood and brick . The building has been rebuilt six times throughout history, most recently in 1932. It has been under state protection since 2013. It was given its current name after a blind monk named Bao.

The current pagoda is octagonal and consists of seven stories, standing 43.5 meters tall. The floor area of each story gradually decreases, forming an octagonal pyramid. The wooden and granite base is reinforced and stabilized by a spiral-shaped metal structure that runs through the interior of the building and forms a “sword” at the top. A stele discovered during the renovation was placed on the first floor;, the building is decorated with blind windows and columns. The pagoda’s garden offers a shaded resting spot after climbing the stairs and an excellent view of West Lake. A little higher up, you’ll find the stones of the original pagoda and a pavilion.

The building can be reached via several routes. Coming from West Lake, it’s worth walking up the hillside among the small residential buildings, where you can get a glimpse into the daily lives of the families living there. On the way up, you’ll pass the Big Buddha Temple. Calling it a “temple” is a bit of an exaggeration; in reality, it’s a large rock carved into the figure of Maitreya Buddha. On the mountainside are carvings with symbols from the Ming and Qing dynasties. At present, the sight is rather disappointing, as you can barely see anything of the rock itself; instead, trash bags and renovation materials are lying around. Perhaps this historic site will soon be restored to a setting befitting its significance. There were another 28 Moya statues and 6 Moya stones, each 50 meters tall, on the mountain, but most of them were destroyed in the 1960s.
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January, 2018