Six Harmonies Pagoda

Hangzhou

LoginSave

The 60m-high octagonal Six Harmonies Pagoda, dating from AD 1165 in its current form but first built in AD 960, is a stout pagoda that once served as a lighthouse, and was said to possess magical powers to halt the 6.5m-high tidal bore that thunders up Qiantang River. You can climb the tight stairs of the pagoda. Behind it stretches a charming walk through terraces dotted with sculptures, bells (¥10 buys you six chimes and a lucky bracelet), shrines and inscriptions.

A small exhibition hall on the grounds does a good job of explaining the significance of the few remaining painted tiles and carved brick panels of flowers, birds and fairies that remain in the pagoda itself (which has limited signage).

The pagoda is 3km southwest of West Lake, near an enormous rail and road bridge (钱塘江大桥, Qiántáng Jiāng Dàqiáo) spanning the Qiantang River.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • West Lake of Hangzhou

    West Lake

    3.85 MILES

    The very definition of classical beauty in China, West Lake is utterly mesmerising: pagoda-topped hills rise over willow-lined waters as boats drift…

  • China, Zhejiang province, Hangzhou, Lingyin temple, statues of Buddha

    Lingyin Temple

    3.57 MILES

    Hangzhou’s most famous Buddhist temple, Lingyin Temple was originally built in AD 326, but has been destroyed and rebuilt no fewer than 16 times. During…

  • Longjing Tea Village

    Longjing Tea Village

    2.15 MILES

    The lush, green scenery around this tea village up in the hills southwest of West Lake makes for a wonderful break from the bustle of Hangzhou. Visitors…

  • Jingci Temple

    Jingci Temple

    2.58 MILES

    The serene yet monastically active Chan (Zen) Jingci Temple was built in AD 954 and has been fully restored. The splendid first hall contains the massive,…

  • Hangzhou Old City Wall Exhibition Hall

    Hangzhou Old City Wall Exhibition Hall

    5.45 MILES

    Hangzhou is famed for its lake, but the lake was once only a (glorious) appendage to a flourishing and magnificent city. The historic city of Hangzhou –…

  • China National Tea Museum

    China National Tea Museum

    2.61 MILES

    Not far into the hills of Hangzhou, you’ll begin to see fields of tea bushes planted in undulating rows, the setting for the China Tea Museum – 3.7…

  • Qinghefang Old Street

    Qinghefang Old Street

    3.61 MILES

    At the southern end of Zhongshan Zhonglu is this touristy, crowded and bustling pedestrian street, with makeshift puppet theatres, teahouses, and gift and…

  • Wengjiashan Village

    Wengjiashan Village

    1.86 MILES

    In the hills near Dragon Well Village, Wengjiashan Village is an alternative place in which to enjoy lóngjǐng tea at one of the village's many teahouses…

View more attractions

Nearby Hangzhou attractions

1. Yanxia Cave

1.73 MILES

Accessed via a trail from the road heading east out of Wengjiashan Village, this naturally formed limestone cave features Buddhist statues carved into the…

2. Wengjiashan Village

1.86 MILES

In the hills near Dragon Well Village, Wengjiashan Village is an alternative place in which to enjoy lóngjǐng tea at one of the village's many teahouses…

4. Longjing Tea Village

2.15 MILES

The lush, green scenery around this tea village up in the hills southwest of West Lake makes for a wonderful break from the bustle of Hangzhou. Visitors…

5. Taiziwan Park

2.2 MILES

This exquisite and serene park just south of the Su Causeway off West Lake offers quiet walks among lush woodland, ponds, lakes, rose gardens and lawns…

6. Santai Pavilion

2.26 MILES

This pavilion was a popular feature in Ming dynasty (1368–1644) paintings of West Lake. Located at the top of Santai Hill, in the West Lake Scenic Area, a…

7. China National Silk Museum

2.44 MILES

This vast museum is devoted to all things silk, covering fashion, craftsmanship and the historic Silk Road in great depth. Extensive galleries showcase…

8. Red Carp Pond

2.54 MILES

Home to a few thousand red carp, just west of the Su Causeway.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "china/zhejiang/hangzhou/attractions/six-harmonies-pagoda/a/poi-sig/473516/356175",
  "destination": "Hangzhou",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "China",
  "city": "Hangzhou",
  "position": "superzone"
}