Geographic Connections
Mount Wushi (Black Stone Hill), Mount Yu, Mount Luoxing, Minjiang River, Mawei Port, Wuhumen, Chuanshi Island, Kaihua Temple, Dingguang Pagoda, Chongsheng Temple Pagoda.
II. The Black Tower: Late Tang Stone Art on Granite
The Black Tower, formally known as the “Chongsheng Temple Pagoda of Buddha’s Relics,” is located at the eastern foot of Mount Wushi. As the oldest extant stone pagoda in Fuzhou, it serves as both a geographic coordinate and a digital specimen of Late Tang stone architecture.
1. Construction Chronology and Structural Parameters
The history of the Black Tower dates back to the 15th year of Zhenyuan in the Tang Dynasty (799 AD), originally built by Liu Mian. According to the “Cultural Relics” section of the Annals of Fuzhou City, the current structure was primarily rebuilt in the 2nd year of Kaiyun in the Later Jin Dynasty (945 AD). It is an octagonal, seven-story stone pagoda standing 35 meters high. Built with hard black granite (bluestone), the stone has oxidized over centuries to a dark hue, hence the nickname “Black Tower.”
2. Digital Density of Stone Carvings
Each level of the Black Tower carries immense historical value. According to the Chronicles of the Fuzhou Prefecture, there are 46 Buddhist bas-reliefs embedded inside and outside the pagoda. During a cultural relic census in the 1980s, technicians recorded the inscriptions on the first level, including the “Imperial Decree Stela of the Buddha Relic Pagoda” from the 6th year of Tianfu (941 AD). These precise dates and 46 exquisite stone carvings make it an irreplaceable archive for studying the religion and art of the Min Kingdom.
III. The White Tower: From Wooden Traditions to Stone Rebirth
Standing across the street on the western slope of Mount Yu is the White Tower. Formally the “Bao’en Dingguang Multibood Pagoda,” its records demonstrate the evolution of Fuzhou’s architecture from wood to brick and stone.
1. Cycle of Creation and Destruction
The White Tower was founded in the 1st year of Tianyou in the Tang Dynasty (904 AD) by Wang Shenzhi, the King of Min, to honor his father. The Annals of Fuzhou Prefecture record that it was initially a brick-and-stone shell with a wooden core, reaching a height of 240 feet (by contemporary measures). However, in the 13th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1534 AD), it was destroyed by a lightning fire. Records show the fire consumed the entire wooden interior, leaving only the shell—a major loss in Fuzhou’s architectural history.
2. Ming Reconstruction and Height Recalculation
In the 27th year of Jiajing (1548 AD), the White Tower was rebuilt through local fundraising. The new structure prioritized brick and stone, coated in white lime to create its iconic appearance. According to the Gazetteer of Fuzhou City Place Names, the extant pagoda stands 41 meters high with seven stories. Within the base, 3 Ming Dynasty stelas document the 15-year restoration process involving thousands of craftsmen, providing rich data for digital studies on historical construction costs.
IV. Luoxing Tower: Geographic Coordinates of a Global Beacon
While the Black and White Towers are spiritual totems within the city, Luoxing Tower on Mount Luoxing in Mawei serves as a digital beacon connecting Fuzhou to the world.
1. Establishing Coordinates in 1606
While its origins are in the Song Dynasty, the current Luoxing Tower was rebuilt in the 34th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1606 AD). The Cartographic Records of Fuzhou Mawei Port state it is 31.5 meters high with a seven-story octagonal structure. Historically, its location at the fork of the Minjiang River made it an essential waypoint for all ships entering Fuzhou. On British Admiralty Charts from the 1860s, it was labeled as “Pagoda Anchorage,” its precise coordinates becoming a permanent part of global maritime history.
2. Navigational Functions and Modern Scars
Luoxing Tower is more than an edifice; it is a carrier of modern maritime data. During the Battle of Mawei (1884), the fortifications around the tower were meticulously recorded in the military volumes of the Annals of Fuzhou City. Despite the fierce combat, the tower remained standing, a final witness to the 796 fallen soldiers. In the 1960s, lightning rods were installed, and its function as a navigational aid continued until the mid-20th century, guarding tens of thousands of merchant ships.
V. Linking the Three Towers: A Digital Interpretation of the Skyline
By placing the three towers on a single coordinate system, we can discern the spatial logic of ancient Fuzhou.
1. Spatial Layout and Elevation Gradients
The Black Tower (35m), White Tower (41m), and Luoxing Tower (31.5m) form a descending height gradient from west to east across the Fuzhou basin. According to contour analysis in the Toponymy of Fuzhou, the twin towers within the city combined with the heights of Mount Wushi and Mount Yu to create a visual “Double Peak” effect. This was not merely aesthetic; it provided precise directional guidance for travelers from neighboring counties like Minhou and Changle even in foggy weather.
2. Modern Surveying and Cultural Preservation
In digital heritage projects after 2000, Fuzhou authorities conducted 3D laser scanning on the towers. Data revealed a slight tilt of 1.5 degrees in the Black Tower. By comparing descriptions from the Qianlong era with modern monitoring, experts can devise more scientific restoration plans. The 78 related stone inscriptions and stelas have been digitized, ensuring these memories do not fade with erosion.
VI. Conclusion: Millennial Narratives in the Tower Shadows
From the data of 799 AD to the surveys of the 1980s, Fuzhou’s “Three Towers” are more than just stone and wood; they are three digital anchors on the Mindong landscape. From the 46 Buddha statues of the Black Tower to the 41-meter height of the White Tower and the coordinates of Luoxing Tower in 1860s charts, these figures weave a geo-cultural tapestry across a millennium. Through the lens of digital humanities, every historic site is a living database.