Xingjiao Temple Pagoda - a world heritage site along the Silk Road (2)

As the tower where the relics of the eminent Buddhist monk Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty (a.k.a. Master Tang Sanzang) are placed, Xingjiao Temple Pagoda is situated within Xingjiao Temple on the bank of Shaoling Plateau in Xi'an City.

Built in 669 AD as a place to transfer Buddhist master Xuanzang's sacred relics to, Xingjiao Temple was formally known as Datang Huguo Xingjiao Temple (or Tang Dynasty Nation-Protection Religion-Enhancing Temple). After the late Tang Dynasty, the temple was repeatedly rebuilt. In fact, the temple was reduced to ruins during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi of Qing due to war, with the exception of Xingjiao Temple Pagoda (also known as Xuanzang Mausoleum Pagoda) and the pagoda used to store the Buddhist relics of his disciples Kuiji and Yuance.

Facing south, Xingjiao Temple Pagoda is square when viewed from above and is a five-level attic-styled brick structure. It is about 21 meters tall and each side of the ground level is 5.2 meters long. Inside the niche on the south side of the ground level is a clay statue of Xuanzang, while a stone inscription titled "Inscription in Honor of Master Tang Sanzang also known as the Dabianjue Master," created in the 4th year of the Kaicheng period of the Tang Dynasty (839 AD), is on the northern wall. The inscription carries a description of how Xuanzang was born, became a Buddhist monk, was initiated into monkhood, went on his famous pilgrimage for Buddhist scriptures, and translated the Buddhist scriptures.