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Last Update : 2007-2-5 9:45:17

The Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge) is the symbol of the Summer Palace and an elaborate work of classical architecture. The three-storied tower, situated on a hill, is about 40 meters (131 feet) high and has a complicated structure. It has eight facades and quadruple-layered eaves, and the whole is supported by eight pillars of lignum vitae wood. It is the center of Summer Palace, with buildings distributed symmetrically around its base. The Precious Cloud Pavilion (Baoyunge) to the west of the tower, made out of 207 tons (456,357 pounds) of bronze, is exquisite and noteworthy.

Last Update : 2007-2-5 9:45:45

Visitors can climb the tower for a panoramic view of the area. As an imperial worshipping tower, it enshrines a Buddha made in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The elegant and dignified statue, also called Buddha with One Thousand Hands and Eyes, is five meters (16 feet) tall and has twelve heads and twenty-four arms. Empress Dowager Cixi burned incense and prayed in the tower on the first and fifteenth days of every lunar month.