Step into a time capsule of Chinese architecture! The Quanzhou Twin Pagodas – Zhenguo and Renshou – aren’t just pretty landmarks. These 13th-century stone giants started as wooden structures during the Tang Dynasty (9th century) before their glow-up in the Song Dynasty. Talk about a major renovation!
Standing tall as China’s highest paired stone pagodas, they’re etched with Buddhist carvings and maritime motifs, whispering stories of Quanzhou’s golden era as a global trade hub. Fun fact: Their 13th-century stone rebuilds were basically ancient climate-proofing – wood couldn’t handle Fujian’s typhoons!
Now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these twins are like Instagram filters for history buffs . Pro traveler tip: Visit at sunset when the pagodas cast golden shadows over the city – pure magic for your feed!
TL;DR: If stones could talk, these twins would drop a album about ships, dynasties, and surviving eight centuries of drama.
Reference(s):
Quanzhou Twin Pagodas: Treasures of Chinese stone architecture
cgtn.com