【Introduction】
The Wentai Pagoda is located on Nanpan Mountain in Old Kinmen city. It is a five-story solid pagoda built with granite bricks. In 1387 (the 20th Year of Emperor Hongwu, Ming Dynasty), Zhou Dexing, the Marquis of Jiangxia, was ordered to patrol and defend the nearby waters from pirates. After surveying the terrain, Zhou set up a defense battalion in Wezhou. In addition to building Kinmen City and setting up five defensive strongholds in Fengshan and other locations, he also built three pagodas (Daying, Maoshan, and Wentai) on the hills of Taiwu, Mao and Nanpan respectively. Daoying Pagoda collapsed during an earthquake, and Maoshan Pagoda was rebuilt in accordance to its remnants in recent years. Of the original thress, only Wentai Pagoda stands intact, making it a precious heritage site. Wentai Pagoda is built on a hexagonal layout. Excluding the base, the pagoda features five stories, all built with granite bricks laid in alternate courses of stretchers and headers. The roof is topped with a round tapered pinnacle. Under the third story eaves is an inscription bearing the words “The Constellation of Kui Shines”. There is also a relief sculpture of Lord Jiu, the god of examinations, kicking a ladle. The two auspicious markers were meant to create beneficial conditions for the flourishing of literary studies in the area. Intellectuals who visited and took in the vast ocean view said to be invariably inspired to great ambitions and prayed to Lord Kui for its fulfillment. The pagoda is surrounded by rocks, boulders, and a plethora of stone inscriptions. In addition to the inlaid “Wentai Pagoda” on one slate, there is another handwritten one, bearing “Lakes and Seas; Clear and Calm,” by Lieutenant Chen Hui in 1607 (the 35th year of Emperor Wanli). A calligraphic gem by Zhang Daqian, “Stronghold of the State”, can also be found nearby. Every stone inscription carries considerable historical significance.