Tashan Pagoda

Tashan Pagoda

Tashan Pagoda is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Liaoning Province.

Tashan Pagoda, also known as Lüzhou Liao Pagoda or Shijiazi Pagoda, is located on the summit of Tashan Mountain, four li south of Shabei Village (Shaogutun), Shijiazi Township, Fuxin County, Fuxin City, Liaoning Province. It sits atop the mountain with the ancient Lüzhou of the Liao Dynasty lying at its base. It is a provincial-level cultural heritage site. Constructed in the first year of the Tonghe era of the Liao Dynasty (984 AD), the pagoda is built of brick, featuring an octagonal nine-tiered dense-eave structure, standing twenty-eight meters tall with a base area of thirty-two square meters. This pagoda differs from other Liao and Jin dynasty brick pagodas found in the Fuxin area; only the east, south, and west sides of the body feature niches, which are deeply recessed, each housing a Buddha statue, with attendant figures carved on either side. Above are canopies, flanked by flying apsaras. The remaining four sides contain false doors, some designed to appear half-open. The first tier of the pagoda has an eleven-tiered small brick pagoda at each of the eight corners. The pagoda body has two tiers, with patterns concentrated on the second tier, divided into three parts: the bottom features musicians, dragons, phoenixes, and muscular figures; the middle part includes large inclined arches; the upper part consists of large lotus pedestals and railings. All of these are crafted from brick carvings, demonstrating exquisite craftsmanship and striking realism. From a distance, the ancient pagoda appears like a uniquely towering peak—lofty, straight, and magnificent. Due to years of wind and rain erosion, cracks have appeared on the eaves. In 1994, the base and eaves were repaired.

Tashan Pagoda is a brick pagoda from the Liao Dynasty and is one of only three well-preserved Liao pagodas in the Fuxin area. It boasts a unique architectural style, with the pagoda’s surface adorned with carved reliefs of Buddhas, inscriptions, lotuses, and vases. The figures are vividly rendered, grand, and beautiful, showcasing the intelligence of the laboring people of the Liao Dynasty and their exceptional carving artistry. The pagoda holds high historical and archaeological value as an irreplaceable witness to history. It was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site in 1985, and in October 2014, it was listed as part of the ninth batch of provincial cultural heritage sites in Liaoning Province.