The great pagoda in the site of the Ta’er Temple at Suoyang in Guazhou has been identified as a Western Xia pagoda that was formerly known to Chinese academics as "Guazhou Pagoda," one of 19 famous stupas in China. According to historical records, it was constructed in the Northern Zhou dynasty, when Guazhou meant Dunhuang, and the governmental seat was ancient Shazhou city, a different place with the same name. "Guazou Pagoda" was built in Chongjiao Temple of today’s Mogao Grottoes, which has nothing to do with the great pagoda in the site of the Ta’er Temple. The " Asoka Temple" seen in caves 15 and 16 at the Yulin Grottoes should in fact be located in Shandan or Wuwei instead of the Ta’er Temple. The pagoda at Suoyang city is of obvious Tibetan Buddhist style, and no evidence suggests it dates back to the Western Xia period, whereas a fragment with a six syllable mantra found at the site of the Ta’er Temple connects it to the Yuan dynasty. According to various clues, it can be inferred that the Ta’er Temple of Tibetan Buddhist style was likely constructed in 1276 or 1289 slightly later.
