Suzhou Huqiu Tower: the Western Leaning Tower of Pisa

Huqiu Tower(also “Yunyan Pagoda”) is situated about 5 kilometers northwest of downtown Suzhou, China’s east Jiangsu Province. It was first built in the later period of the Five Dynasties (907-960 AD) and completed in the second year (961AD) of Jianlong reign in North Song Dynasty.

With 47 meters high, the tower is a seven-story octagonal building built with blue bricks, and it was once a masterpiece in Yangtze River Basin during the tenth century. Standing at the top of Huqiu Mount, Huqiu Tower is the oldest survived Buddhist pagoda in Suzhou and be hailed as “the No.1 tourism attraction”in Wuzhong District, Suzhou City. In 1961, it was designated as one of the State-level Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. Because it is very similar to the contemporaneous Leifeng Tower in Hangzhou in terms of style, capital city of Zhejiang Province, the two towers are known as “the Two Oldest Towers in lower reaches of Yangtze River”.

Due to forces of nature, the tower has gradually slanted. Now the top and bottom of the tower vary by 2.32 meters. Therefore, Huqiu Tower is renowned as the eastern leaning tower of Pisa. In 1957, efforts were made by Suzhou Municipal Government to stabilize the tower and prevent further leaning. Concrete was also pumped into the soil forming a stronger foundation.