Liaoyang White Pagoda Park

Liaoyang White Pagoda Park

The Liaoyang White Pagoda is one of the finest ancient pagodas in northern China. Majestic and classic in style, it stands proudly in Liaoyang White Pagoda Park at the northern corner of the ancient city. Built during the Liao and Jin dynasties, it has undergone repairs through the ages but still retains its original appearance.

According to the pagoda’s inscription discovered in 1922 and the biographies of imperial consorts in the “History of Jin,” it is the popular name for the Chuiqing Temple Pagoda built by Emperor Shizong of Jin, Wanyan Yong, for his mother Empress Zhenyi, Lady Li, during the Dading era of Jin (1161–1173), boasting a history of over 800 years. It earned the nickname “White Pagoda” because the bricks and tiles on the body and eaves were coated with white lime.

Although it has been repaired through the ages, it has maintained its original form and is considered one of the finest brick pagodas from the Liao and Jin periods still in existence. The base underwent three restorations in 1963, 1972, and 1982. In 1988, it was designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

The pagoda is an octagonal, solid, thirteen-story, dense-eave brick structure standing 71 meters tall, consisting of four parts: the base, the pedestal, the body, and the finial. The base has two tiers. The lower part of the pedestal is built with corbelled courses that taper upward, while the upper part features two short, low waist-level Sumeru pedestals adorned with carved lotus petals, brackets, musicians, and balustrades. The lower section of the pagoda body has semi-circular engaged columns on each corner, with a protruding horizontal band in the center of each face. At the center of the lower part is a lintel arch niche housing a seated Buddha. On either side of the niche stand two attendants, above which are small canopy covers and flying apsaras. At the top of the horizontal band is a large pendant canopy, with small flying apsara canopies at the upper corners. Bronze mirrors are embedded on each face of the pagoda body. The upper part of the pagoda body features dense eaves that gradually contract layer by layer from bottom to top. The eaves are covered with tiles, with beasts placed along the ridge and wind chimes hanging from the flying eaves. The finial consists of a brick-carved base and a gilded pole. The lower part of the base is an octagonal double-layered inverted lotus shape, while the upper part is an inverted alms bowl. The pole is strung with gilded copper beads and spires.

Both the base and the body are decorated with brick carvings of Buddhist motifs. The eight sides of the pagoda body each feature a Buddha niche with brick-carved seated Buddhas. The top of the pagoda includes an iron pole, beads, and spires.

Travel Information

Transportation: Approximately 400 meters from Liaoyang Railway Station. Exit the station and walk east.

Ticket Price: Free.