Tieling White Pagoda

Tieling White Pagoda

The Tieling White Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

Originally named the Round-Passage Temple Pagoda, the Tieling White Pagoda is the name commonly used for it. This pagoda is located southeast of the Yinzhou Trade City in downtown Tieling and northwest of the ancient Tieling city, making it the earliest existing ancient pagoda in Liaobei. Some publications claim it was built during the Tang Dynasty, primarily based on the inscription on the stone tablet of the Round-Passage Temple titled “Record of the Reconstruction of the Round-Passage Temple Pagoda,” which states that the pagoda was built in the second year of the Taihe era of Emperor Taizong of Tang. However, research shows that the history of Yinzhou did not begin in the Tang Dynasty—see the article “Research on Ancient Yinzhou” in this book for details. Additionally, referencing various historical sources, the Tieling White Pagoda also lacks characteristics typical of Tang Dynasty pagodas. The bricks used in the pagoda’s construction are archaeologically referred to as groove-patterned bricks, which are characteristic of the Liao Dynasty; such bricks did not exist before the Liao. This has been verified by cultural relics authorities, making it impossible for Tang Dynasty builders to have used Liao bricks. Therefore, the date inscribed on the tablet is not reliable. According to the Japanese version of “Manchuria—A Pictorial Record,” this pagoda is identified as a Liao Dynasty pagoda, and some articles suggest it was built during the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty. But regardless, this pagoda cannot predate the Liao Dynasty.

The pagoda had already fallen into disrepair by the Ming Dynasty. In the 19th year of the Wanli era (1591), the wife of Li Chengliang, the commanding general of Liaodong, funded its renovation. This pagoda is an octagonal, thirteen-story solid brick pagoda of the dense-eave style. The body of the pagoda is built from bluish bricks, each measuring 2 chi 4 cun in length and 6 cun in thickness, giving the structure a slightly conical shape. The finial pole atop the pagoda features a bronze plate and a precious jewel. The octagonal base of the pagoda is inlaid with eight large characters reading “Prosperous Weather, Peaceful Nation,” and each of the eight sides has a carved Buddha figure adorned with a canopy. On the southern side of the first story of the pagoda is a statue of [a deity or figure—context missing], and the lower part of the eaves features carved brick brackets. The base and body of the pagoda are decorated with carved bricks. Copper mirrors and bells hang from each layer of eaves, and the body of the pagoda is painted white, hence the name “White Pagoda.” In ancient times, this pagoda was the tallest structure in the city. Historical records describe it as “visible from twenty li away.” After rain, when clouds drifted low around the towering pagoda, it created the beautiful scene known as “White Pagoda Across the Clouds.” Ancient poets praised its beauty with verses such as: “Mountain rain passes over the city, the sky clears but clouds linger; suddenly the tip of the white pagoda appears, piercing halfway into the blue sky.”

On February 4, 1975, the Haicheng earthquake affected Tieling, causing the spire at the top of the pagoda to fall off. Because the finial pole was attached with iron chains, the broken tip tilted and lodged into the eaves on the southern side of the third story. That same year, during the filming of the TV drama “New Year’s Day” in Tieling, this scene was captured as part of the show.

Protected area: Within 30 meters east, 20 meters south, 50 meters west, and 60 meters north of the pagoda base.

Construction control zone: Beyond the protected area, within 40 meters east, 20 meters south, west, and north is designated as a Class III construction control zone. An additional 20 meters beyond the Class III zone is designated as a Class IV construction control zone.

Further reading:

· Seventh Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Liaoning Province