Wen Tai Pagoda Introduction
The Wentai Pagoda was built in the 20th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1387) and is one of the three stone pagodas constructed by Zhu De-hsing, the "Marquis of Jiangxia," as commanded by the Hongwu Emperor in Kinmen. It is also the only Ming Dynasty stone pagoda in Kinmen that has not been destroyed in warfare or damaged by cannon fire. The towering Wentai Pagoda once served as a maritime navigation marker. The top of the pagoda features carved characters and reliefs. Beneath the eaves facing Kinmen City, a long stone slab is hung with the inscription "Kuixing Songzhao" (奎星聳照) carved on it, while the relief below depicts "Kuixing Tidu" (魁星踢斗), embodying the wish for the flourishing of scholarly traditions. The stone platform beneath the pagoda bears the calligraphy of Ming Dynasty military official Chen Hui, inscribing "Wentai Pagoda," as well as the work "Guo zhi Jin Tang" by the late ink wash master Zhang Daqian, which adds significant historical value. The pagoda is currently designated as a national historic site.
