The Liuhe Pagoda, literally Six Harmonies Pagoda,…

The Liuhe Pagoda, literally Six Harmonies Pagoda, a multistory Chinese pagoda in southern Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, located at the foot of Yuelun Hill, facing the Qiantang River, was originally constructed in 970 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127), destroyed in 1121, and reconstructed fully by 1165, during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279).

The pagoda was originally constructed by the ruler of the Wuyue kingdom, some of which would later makeup Zhejiang province.

The name Liuhe comes from the six Buddhist ordinances and it is said that the reason for building the pagoda was to calm the tidal bore of the Qiantang River and as a navigational aid.

According to historian Joseph Needham, the pagoda also served as a lighthouse along the Qiantang River.

Being of considerable size and stature, it actually served as a permanent lighthouse from nearly its beginning, to aid sailors in seeking anchorage for their ships at night (as described in the Hangzhou Fu Zhi) (Needham, Joseph (1986).

Science and Civilization in China: Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 3, Civic Engineering and Nautics.

Taipei: Caves Books, Ltd.)