Wen Tai Pagoda Introduction
The Wentaibaota was built in the 20th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1387). It is one of the three stone towers constructed in Kinmen by General Zhou Dexing, the "Marquis of Jiangxia," as ordered by the founder of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Hongwu. It is also the only Ming Dynasty stone tower in Kinmen that has not been destroyed by war or damaged by artillery. The towering Wentaibaota once served as a navigational landmark; the top of the tower features engraved characters and reliefs. Under the eaves facing Kinmen City, there hangs a long stone slab with the inscription "Kuixing Congzhao" engraved on it, and below it, there is a relief depicting "Kuixing Kicking the Dipper," which symbolizes the aspiration for the flourishing of literary pursuits. The rock under the tower bears the calligraphy of Ming Dynasty military official Chen Hui, inscribing "Wentaibaota," as well as the ink masterpieces of the late master of ink wash painting, Zhang Daqian, titled "The Golden Soup of the Nation," both of which hold significant historical value. The tower is currently designated as a national historic site.
