Six Harmonies Pagoda (六和塔) was originally constructed during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD), destroyed in 12th century, then again reconstructed in 50 years later, during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD).
The 59.89 meters high pagoda is one of the oldest ones in China. Its story is closely connected to the natural phenomena that takes place in Qiantang River (钱塘江). Every year on the 18th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar Silver Dragon (银龙) rises from Qiantang River. Silver Dragon is the biggest tidal bore in the world. In the past, after ravishing the banks of the river, destroying people’s homes and lives, it would finally retreat right around the Six Harmonies Pagoda. Read the story about it here.
Relatively close to the pagoda is the Qianjiang No. 1 Bridge (钱江大桥). If you have a chance to cross this bridge, do it. It offers not only a breathtaking view of the Qiantang River, but also has an extraordinary story behind its construction. This bridge was the first double deck bridge in China ever to be designed and built entirely by Chinese engineers (until then all bridges were built by foreign engineers). It opened on September 26th, 1937, destroying the notion that no large bridge could be built in this location. Eight weeks later, on December 23rd, it was blown up in a battle against Japanese army in order to prevent further invasion. Eight weeks later! A huge achievement at the time, gone in a matter of weeks. It was rebuilt in 1948 and that is the version you can see today.
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