Wuta (Black Pagoda) · Baita (White Pagoda)

The Tang-era "Jingguang Pagoda" (Wuta, stone octagonal seven-story) and Dingguang Pagoda (Baita, brick-built), Fuzhou's "Two Pagodas" landmarks facing each other from Yu Hill and Wu Hill (the "Three Hills and Two Pagodas" layout of the old city). Physical markers of old Fuzhou's "Three Hills, Two Pagodas, One Street" layout: Wuta stands at the foot of Wushi Hill (Black Stone Hill), rebuilt by Wang Shenzhi of the Five Dynasties period on the site of the Tang Jingguang Pagoda; built of granite in an octagonal seven-story form, its dark stone all over gave it the name "Black Pagoda". Baita is the Dingguang Pagoda, brick-built with a white-lime finish, facing Wuta across the city. One black and one white, one on a hill and one in a temple, the two pagodas form the traditional framework of old Fuzhou's skyline; at dusk, their twin silhouettes meet the roof ridges of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys (Sanfang Qixiang) — a classic Fuzhou photograph. Viewing around Wuta is free, and climbing Wushi Hill offers a panorama of the whole city.

Getting there: foot of Wushi Hill