Built entirely of rough-hewn sandstone, the structure functions as a traditional "street-crossing pagoda." Four arched gateways pierce its massive square base, meeting in a central cross. For centuries, pedestrians and carts passed directly beneath the monument. Looking up from the center of this crossing, visitors see a bronze relief set into the ceiling, depicting a central Buddha surrounded by eight others amid stylized clouds.

The pagoda is a physical manifestation of a mandala, specifically representing the Five Dhyani Buddhas of the Esoteric Buddhist Vajradhatu. Five towers rise from the pedestal. The central tower, shaped like an inverted lotus bowl, reaches sixteen meters into the sky. Its base features detailed carvings of the Buddhas' animal mounts: a lion, an elephant, a peacock, and a garuda. Four smaller towers stand at the corners, completing the sacred geometry.

Construction began in 1457 during the Ming Dynasty, funded by a regional eunuch named Luo Gui. Local lore offers a more dramatic origin story. According to legend, the site was once a deep pool inhabited by nine unruly dragons who caused devastating floods and droughts. A wandering monk subdued the creatures by feeding them enchanted steamed buns, lulling them to sleep before sealing them beneath the heavy stone pagoda.

The myth of the watery depths holds a grain of geological truth. The pagoda was built on the ancient, soft lakebed of Dianchi, resting on a thick layer of discarded snail shells and mud. Over the centuries, the massive stone structure slowly sank into the earth. By the late twentieth century, the base had dropped two meters below the surrounding ground level, and the central spire was tilting dangerously. In 2002, engineers executed a massive rescue operation. Using dozens of hydraulic jacks, they carefully lifted the entire stone monument 2.6 meters into the air, pouring a new concrete foundation beneath it. Today, the pagoda stands tall once again, a heavy stone anchor resting securely above the ancient lakebed.