Lingyin (Soul's Retreat) Temple was built in 326 during the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
The two stone pagodas, standing next to the base platform of the main hall of the temple, were constructed entirely of white marble. They both have eight sides and are more than ten meters high. The ornate sculptures on doors, windows, columns and crossbeams are all modeled after the style of multistoreyed wooden buildings. The surfaces of the pagodas are also embellished with beautiful carvings of Buddhist images and various decorative patterns. Under the eaves of each storey are carved brackets in multi layers to support the projecting pent roofs of the pagoda. Though made of stone, they look very much like wooden structures.
The stone pagodas were constructed in 960 by the king of Wuyue, Qian Hongchu, to commemorate an eminent monk, Master Yongming. Since the Northern Song Dynasty was founded that same year, these pagodas were the earliest pagodas of the Song Dynasty. Their value also lies in the vivid, lifelike sculptures representing the high level of craftsmanship of that time.
