Some seven kilometers to the east of the city, Tianran Pagoda is said to have been built by Guo Pu (276-324), a noted scholar of the Jin Dynasty. The existing brick and stone structure was rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The octagonal seven-level pagoda is 42 meter high and is supported by eight stone Buddhist warriors at its base. The top of the pagoda provides a fine view of the port of Yichang, the boats on the river, and the wooded Wulong (Five Dragon) Hill (Wulongshan) on the opposite bank. At sunrise, the reflection of the pagoda in the river meets the reflection of Five Dragon Hill, and the scene has been described as “the whip beating the dragons.” |
