Tang Dynasty Pagodas in Bejing, a thread. (pics not mine)

1. Yunju Temple, North West. Built during the second year of the Jingyun Emperor's reign, dating to 711AD. 1300 years on, paint is still visible...

2. Yunju Temple, North East. Built during the tenth year of the Kaiyuan Emperor's reign (722AD). The muscles of the door guardian appear as if they could have been carved yesterday.

3. Yunju Temple, South East. Built during the 1st (and only) year of the Taiji Emperor's reign- 712AD. (He changed his name, for the second time, the year after).

4. Yunju Temple, West. Undated, probably 8th or 9th century. Damaged.

5. Yunju Temple, South West. Built during the fifteenth year of the Kaiyuan Emperor's reign (727AD). Incredible detail in the drapery inside the shrine (these pagodas are only about 2 metres high).

6. On the outskirts of Yunju Temple. The so-called 'Princess Jinxian Pagoda' 金仙公主塔- erected 730AD and known for its inscription, associating it with Emperor Xuanzong's younger sister.

7. An unnamed pavilion style miniature pagoda, Shijingshan, dated to the fifth year of the Qianning Emperor's reign (898) in an inscription that is sadly now eroded.

8. Shijingshan, I'm not sure of the exact location. From what I read, this was constructed from parts of broken tower(s) which have been put together. 8th-9th centuries.

And, last but not least... This rather special pagoda, quite far away from all the rest, at Xiasi (下寺村) Village in Fangshan, 8th century. Many aspects of this pagoda are still in perfect condition, 1300 years on, thanks to good craftsmanship and resilient marble.

Well, they were, anyway. You may be wondering why all the others have ugly iron bands around the corners. In 2016, thugs came to Xiasi and tore the front of the pagoda off, carrying it away and leaving only a wooden post in its place.

Sadly, this was not the case of looting, and probably it won't be the last. As much as it's frustrating how unattractive much of China's protection on heritage sites is, stuff like this means it's necessary.