Twin Pagodas of Baisikou – Legacy of Western Xia

The Twin Pagodas of Baisikou (拜寺口双塔), located in Yinchuan, are the best-preserved Western Xia (Xi Xia) Buddhist towers, boasting a history of nearly 1,000 years. These towers are rare artistic treasures in the history of Chinese pagoda architecture.

Although the exact construction date of the twin pagodas cannot be precisely verified through historical records, the numerous architectural fragments scattered around, resembling those found at Western Xia royal tombs, suggest that many Buddhist temples were likely built in this area during the Western Xia period. The Western Xia people regarded Buddhism as their “national religion,” leading to the construction of grand temples and pagodas throughout their territory, particularly in the Helan Mountains, which they considered sacred. The Twin Pagodas of Baisikou are invaluable Buddhist relics left by the Western Xia people.

The two pagodas differ slightly in height and exterior decoration. The East Pagoda is elegant, while the West Pagoda is more imposing. The East Pagoda has an octagonal base, with each side measuring approximately 2.9 meters, a diameter of 7.6 meters, and a total height of about 39 meters. The height of the pagoda decreases with each layer above the first, which is the tallest. Above the thirteenth layer, a lotus petal-shaped base supports a finial.

The West Pagoda stands at about 41 meters tall, with a similar overall structure to the East Pagoda but appears more robust and ornate, featuring more painted relief decorations. Its base measures around 3.2 meters per side and has a diameter of 8.4 meters. Each of the eight faces of the pagoda’s layers, except for the first, contains a shallow niche housing a brick-carved Buddha statue, with a total of 36 preserved figures.

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

The Twin Pagodas of Baisikou are located in Baisikou, Helan County, Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. Due to their relatively remote location, it is recommended to visit by car for convenience.