Yongning Pagoda

The Yongning Pagoda or Yongning Temple (simplified Chinese: 永宁寺; traditional Chinese: 永寧寺; pinyin: Yǒngníng Sì) in Luoyang was one of the tallest buildings of the world from 516 AD to 534 AD.

The timber-frame pagoda with a complete column grid and a stabilising masonry-core was built during the Northern Wei in 516 AD, but is no longer extant.

According to evidence unearthed by modern archaeological excavation, the pagoda had a square foundation of rammed earth with a width of 38.2 m (125 ft).

The earthen foundation was covered by a 2.2 m (7.2 ft) thick layer of limestone bricks.

According to Yang Xuanzhi who lived in Luoyang in the year 520, the pagoda could be seen from as far as 50 km (30 mi).