International content creators explore Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

A delegation of content creators and bloggers from countries including Germany, Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom visited the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in Shuozhou, Shanxi province, on Saturday to learn about the craftsmanship behind the ancient structure.

The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is the oldest and tallest existing all-timber pavilion-style structure in China. Built without nails or rivets, the pagoda relies solely on mortise and tenon joints and has stood for nearly a millennium.

Joe Burns, a veteran photographer from the United Kingdom, expressed his admiration for the pagoda's intricate dougong bracket system and woodworking craftsmanship. "The pagoda itself, the sophisticated dougong structure, the masterful woodworking techniques, and the various statues and artworks preserved inside all exude a unique charm," he said.

Burns added: "Flocks of swifts circling the pagoda add a vibrant, atmospheric touch to photographs."

The tour group also visited the pagoda's digital immersive exhibition hall, where Burns appreciated the synergy of technology and preservation, saying the hall makes heritage "more accessible to visitors while reducing physical wear and protecting the pagoda itself."

Mukesh Mohanan, an infographic designer at China Daily, said: "I learned that visitors can no longer climb the pagoda due to conservation needs. The digital exhibition hall offers an alternative way to get close to and understand this thousand-year-old pagoda."

The tour group is recording their visits via short videos, photography, and paintings to share Shanxi's stories with audiences at home and abroad. Their works are part of Discovering Shanxi's Ancient Chinese Architecture, a visual journey through cultural heritage recently launched by China Daily and Shanxi Daily.

Li Jialu contributed to this story.