Six Harmonies Pagoda（六和塔）

Six Harmonies Pagoda [File photo]

Sitting on the Yuelun Hill southwest to the West Lake, the Six Harmonies Pagoda is one of the masterpieces of ancient Chinese architecture. It was first built in 970 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and reconstructed in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) to calm the tidal waters of the Qiantang River.

The pagoda is octagonal in shape and nearly 60 meters (196 feet) in height. It looks like a 13-story structure from outside, but it only has seven interior stories. A spiral staircase inside the pagoda leads visitors up to the top floor. Each of the seven ceilings is decorated with a variety of figures including animals, birds, flowers and fairies.

At the top of the pagoda, visitors can enjoy a picturesque bird's-eye view of the Qiantang River and its bridge.

Admission:20 yuan (US$3.27)/ person (add another 10 yuan to go all the way up)