Vinh Thanh Pagoda: 1,500-year-old heritage in Jiangsu after the incident

Explore the history and cultural value of Yongqing Temple, a more than 1,500-year-old temple in Jiangsu, China, and get an update on the recent fire incident at Wenchang Tower.

A timeless heritage on the slopes of Phoenix Mountain

Located on the southern slope of Phoenix Mountain in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province, Yongqing Temple is a historical witness with a history dating back more than 1,500 years. First built in 536 during the Southern Liang Dynasty, the temple has undergone many ups and downs, including six major renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, becoming an important spiritual and cultural destination in the region.

The ancient temple is a tourist attraction in Phoenix town.

Explore unique architecture and relics

With an area of ​​about 350,000 m², Vinh Thanh Pagoda owns many impressive architectural works such as Dai Hung Bao Dien and La Han Duong. This place not only attracts tourists by its ancient beauty but also by three unique relics preserved inside and outside the pagoda, including:

• A thousand year old cypress tree stands tall with time.
• A full-body Bodhisattva statue is exquisitely carved.
• A natural stone well with wild beauty.

Historically, the temple was also the hermitage of writer Thi Nai Am and welcomed many famous monks to practice, contributing to creating a profound Buddhist cultural space.

Fire incident at Van Xuong tower

On the afternoon of November 12, a fire broke out at Vinh Thanh Pagoda. According to information from the Phoenix town authorities, the fire started at around 11:24 and was promptly controlled by the fire department. The fire did not cause any human casualties and did not spread to the surrounding forest area.

The most severely affected structure was the Wenchang Tower, a new structure built in 2008 in a faux-ancient style. The roof of the tower burned down and collapsed. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the authorities.

The burned building is Van Xuong tower, which was rebuilt in a fake ancient style in 2008.

Cultural values ​​and tourist destinations

Vinh Thanh Pagoda was destroyed in 1958 but was restored in 1993. Since reopening in 1999, it has become an important tourist and religious destination. Visitors and Buddhists come here not only to worship but also to sightsee and learn about local Buddhist culture. In 2007, Vinh Thanh Pagoda was ranked as a city-level cultural relic, affirming the historical and cultural value of this structure.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/chua-vinh-thanh-di-san-1500-nam-tuoi-tai-giang-to-sau-bien-co-402841.html