Tieling Xiufeng Pagoda

Tieling Xiufeng Pagoda

Tieling Xiufeng Pagoda is a cultural tourism attraction.

The “Xiufeng Pagoda” is located at the summit of Longshou Mountain in Tieling City, Liaoning Province. Originally named the “Xiufeng Temple Pagoda,” it was built in the second year of the Hongzhi reign during the Ming Dynasty (1489), making it over 500 years old. It stands to the southeast of Ciqing Temple on Longshou Mountain in Tieling. The pagoda was funded by a devout believer named Gao ? at the time, primarily to “enhance the temple’s grandeur.” This pagoda is a tightly-eaved, nine-tiered, octagonal, solid Buddhist structure made of brick and stone. Its base is about 3 meters high. The first tier features one Buddha statue on each of its eight sides, along with the eight large characters “May the country be prosperous and the people at peace, may the winds and rains be timely.” Each corner is adorned with carved beast heads and wind chimes, totaling 72 in all. When a gentle breeze blows, the tinkling of the pagoda bells creates a delightful sound. Fifty-five years after its construction, in the 22nd year of the Jiajing reign (1544), repairs were funded by the descendants of Gao ?. Then, 48 years later, in the 19th year of the Wanli reign (1591), the pagoda had deteriorated over time and partially collapsed. Under the directive of Li Chengliang, the Duke of Ningyuan and General of Liaodong, it was restored once again. By the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, the pagoda had suffered severe erosion, prompting another round of renovations funded by public donations in the early Republic years.

“Record of the Reconstruction of Xiufeng Temple Pagoda” (1591): “Xiufeng Temple” was built three li east of Yinzhou City, west of the Chai River, and south of Longshan Mountain — the present-day Shuichao Temple. Originally, there was no pagoda. In the 9th year of the Hongzhi reign (1496), the devout believer Gao ? constructed this pagoda atop Xiufeng. It was meant to enhance the temple’s grandeur. Over fifty years later, Gao ?’s grandnephew, a court physician, carried out repairs in the 33rd year of the Jiajing reign (1544). Since then, forty-eight years had passed, and the pagoda had deteriorated significantly. Li Chengliang, the Duke of Ningyuan and Commandant of the garrison, who was often rewarded for his military campaigns and territorial expansions, was moved to restore both the temple and the pagoda. Thus, in the 19th year of the Wanli reign (1591), he ordered craftsmen Lu Bing and Li Ying, along with monks Tao Faming and Liu Faxian, to lead workers in restoring the structure. They repaired damaged parts, added missing elements, and refurbished the entire site, sparing no expense from their own rewards. As a result, the pagoda now shines anew, a worthy successor to the legacy of Gao ?. Out of deep reverence, the benefactors who contributed to this effort have their names inscribed on this stele as a record for future generations.

Fifteen meters east of the Xiufeng Pagoda, on a cliff edge, stands the “Xixin Pavilion,” a hexagonal, tightly-eaved structure built in the early Republican period. Its vividly painted surfaces remain brightly colored. Inside the pavilion is a stone tablet carried by a mythical turtle, with inscriptions recounting the history of both the Xiufeng Pagoda and Xixin Pavilion. The couplet on the pavilion reads: “The scenery here is inherently beautiful; the spring water from the mountain is always clear.” From inside the pavilion, looking east, you can see the Chai River winding through layers of lush green mountains, with verdant peaks, ancient towering trees, and golden rice fields rippling in the breeze — an endless expanse of fields along both banks of the Chai River unfolds before your eyes. To the west, the Liao River ripples like a flying dragon, stretching and winding for over ten li. Nearby, the mountains are covered with lush green grass, while peach and apricot blossoms vie in fragrance and color. To the south lies the “Dicui Pavilion,” a hexagonal structure with a rustic yet elegant design. Further in the distance, layer upon layer of mountains rise amid waves of green, with refreshing breezes seeming to sweep in from all directions. The modern high-rises of the Liaohe New District are embraced by the surrounding landscape, and the riverside scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. This slice of paradise is so enchanting and memorable that it feels like a corner of Hangzhou’s West Lake.