The pagoda is located on the site of the former Tianning Temple in the northwestern corner of Anyang County. According to an inscription about the reconstruction of Tianning Temple, a pagoda was already there in 952 during the Five Dynasties. The present pagoda, however, was built in the Ming Dynasty. During Emperor Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty the pagoda was named Wenfeng (Literature Peak) Pagoda since it was situated northeast of a Confucian temple and thus concerned the style of writing for the whole prefecture.
The pagoda is an octagonal, multi-eave, brick structure modeled on wooden counterparts with five pent roofs and a height of 38.65 meters. It stands on a two-metre-high stone pedestal and has a huge first storey. Carved on its main body are images of Buddha, bodhisattvas and Buddhist tales, all in the style of the Ming Dynasty. The pent roofs are supported by brick brackets, with openings in the walls under them for letting in air and light.
The roofs become progressively wider, creating the impression of an umbrella. The steeple is a small stupa-style Lamaist dagoba ten meters high. The pagoda’s roof is a spacious platform surrounded by 1.2-metre-high brick balustrades. People can go to the top to enjoy the view.
The Pagoda is precious because of its special structure.
