The Sugong Pagoda is
known as the Turpan Pagoda among local residents. A stone tablet at its entrance
cites the reason for the pagoda's construction in Wei and Han characters. The
structure was built in 1181 of the Hui calendar (1779) by Su Laiman II, the
ruler of the Turpan Prefecture, to honor his father.
The cylindrical Sugong
Pagoda is 37 meters high and 10 meters in diameter from the bottom. Built using
brick blocks, the pagoda's body contains carvings of 15 kinds of patterns of
Uygur traditional design. There are a total of 14 windows at various directions
and levels. A flight of 72 spiraling steps leads to the dome-shaped top of the
pagoda. A brick, spiral pillar in the center supports its entire body. The
pagoda displays the typical features of Uygur architecture.