Muta Temple (木塔寺) — officially Wanshou Temple (万寿寺) — is a iconic wooden pagoda in downtown Zhangye, one of the city’s ‘Five Elements Pagodas’ and a famous Hexi Corridor architectural landmark.
Basics
Location: Xianfu South Street, central Ganzhou District (near Central Square)
Founded: Northern Zhou Dynasty (557–581 AD); rebuilt Sui 582 AD
Current pagoda: Rebuilt 1926 (after 1920 storm destruction)
Status: Gansu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Unit
Architecture
Height: 32.8 meters
Shape: Octagonal, 9 stories
Structure:
1–7F: Brick exterior, wooden eaves
8–9F: All wood
No nails/rivets — held by Dougong brackets, beams, columns
Details:
Dragon carvings on each corner with pearl in mouth
Wind chimes hanging from eaves
Brick inscriptions & wooden lattice windows
Internal stairs to top (city view)
History & Legends
Built to house Buddha relics (one of 16 Aśoka pagodas in China)
Tang: Supervised by General Yuchi Jingde (639 AD)
Tang Monk Xuanzang prayed here on his return from India
Local saying: “Zhangye’s Muta Temple stands nearly touching the sky”
“Wooden Pagoda Evening Bell” — one of Eight Zhangye Scenes
Visiting Info
Hours: 08:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Ticket: Free (usually)
Inside: Houses Zhangye Folk Custom Museum
Nearby: Central Square, night markets, old town
Tip
Climb the narrow stairs to the 9th floor for panoramic Zhangye skyline — worth the climb!
