Located in Sanyuan Pagoda Park southeast of the county town of Haikang, the pagoda was built in 1615 during the Ming Dynasty. It is said that during its construction three round (sanyuan in Chinese) snake eggs were found under its foundation, hence its name Sanyuan Pagoda. It is also called Talents' Pagoda because it was built for the purpose of encouraging local talents.
The octagonal, nine-storeyed brick structure is 57 meters high. Balconies were constructed around the pagoda walls, and pent eaves were built by stacking bricks, with every other layer having serrated edges. Carved on the Sumeru pedestal are relief images of birds, animals, flowers and other plants, vivid and vigorous in style.
Lofty and graceful, it is the only well-preserved tall ancient pagoda in southern China.
