WOODEN PAGODA STANDS TEST OF TIME

Nailless, 67-meter-tall tower bears witness to cultural resilience over centuries, as Xu Xiaodan, Shan Juan and Zhu Xingxin report from Yingxian, Shanxi

Editor's Note: Using a blend of words and visuals, this series explores unique communities and reveals the heart of China through food, architecture, craftsmanship, landscapes and traditions.

The architectural marvel that is the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in the city of Shuozhou, Shanxi province, claims the title of the world's tallest and oldest wooden structure, standing shoulder to shoulder with global landmarks like Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Built in 1056 during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), the pagoda, also known as the Sakyamuni Pagoda, is located in the grounds of the Fogong Temple in Yingxian county. It stands 67.31 meters tall with a base diameter of 30.27 meters, and weighs more than 7,400 metric tons. While it appears to have five stories and six eaves, it actually contains nine layers — five visible and four hidden.