Taonan Twin Pagodas and Lianhuatu Temple

Taonan Twin Pagodas and Lianhuatu Temple

Taonan Twin Pagodas and Lianhuatu Temple are cultural tourism attractions.

To the northeast of our ancient city of Taonan, on the north bank of the Tao'er River, within Shuangta Village in Deshun Township, stand two exquisitely built, ancient pagodas. These are the renowned "Taonan Twin Pagodas."

The Taonan Twin Pagodas, commonly known as "Shuangta Zi" (Twin Pagodas), are also called Bao’an Pagodas and are listed as key cultural relics protected by Jilin Province. They stand 12 meters tall, with the two pagodas about 20 meters apart. Both are constructed from Qing-era bricks and feature square bases. Each has four levels of steps, and the lower parts are adorned with 16 large relief brick lion carvings that display lively and vigorous expressions. At the top of the pagodas, there were originally copper canopies weighing dozens of pounds, each topped with a precious bead — a unique and delicately designed feature. Beneath the canopies hung four copper bells that would tinkle melodiously in the wind. Unfortunately, none of the bells remain today. According to local farmers, one was stolen in the spring of 1979, and the other was blown down by a storm in 1937 and taken away by Japanese invaders. The twin pagodas are typical structures of Tibetan Buddhism (Gelugpa sect), and their architectural style bears a striking resemblance — almost identical — to the Four Pagodas of Shenyang (East, West, South, and North), the White Dagoba in Beijing’s Beihai Park, and the Lama Pagoda in Chengde’s Mountain Resort.

To understand the origin of the Taonan Twin Pagodas, we must look at a now-destroyed lamasery located behind them. In the past, there was a temple complex behind the pagodas — this was Lianhuatu Temple, and the twin pagodas served as its front pagodas.

Now, “Lianhuatu Temple” was no ordinary temple. As you may know, both Tibetans and Mongolians follow the same religion, but they each worship their own spiritual leaders. The Mongolians’ spiritual leader is the living Buddha, and this “Lianhuatu Temple” was once home to the First and Second Jebtsundamba Khutuktus. The First Jebtsundamba Khutuktu was named Choibuzhamusu. From the age of 27, he served in the royal monastery of the Tüsheet Khanate (now Horqin Right Middle Banner). The local prince bestowed upon him the title of “Abba” (Father) Khutuktu. At the age of 35, Choibuzhamusu was jointly enthroned as Jebtsundamba by the princes of Tüsheet Khanate and Jasagt Khanate (now Horqin Right Front Banner) and was officially invited to serve as the abbot of Lianhuatu Temple. The First Jebtsundamba passed away at the age of 91. The Second Jebtsundamba was named Ngawang Danbayar, born in 1714. When he was enthroned at the age of 28, his father was overseeing the construction of Lianhuatu Temple. In 1748 (the 13th year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign),

the Qianlong Emperor ordered Ngawang Danbayar to translate the Tibetan-language “Tanjur” into Mongolian in Beijing, and bestowed upon him the title of “Tayin Hutuktu.” He also granted the title of “Fan Tong Temple” to Lianhuatu Temple and issued 101 official religious titles. Later, to expand the temple, the Second Jebtsundamba selected a new site on the eastern side of the upper reaches of the Tao'er River, on Mount Taolaitu (now within Ulanhot), where the present-day Gandan Monastery was built. As a result, Lianhuatu Temple declined and, by the time of liberation, had become deserted with very few worshippers. The ancient temple was destroyed in the early years after liberation. Today, the site has been turned into an orchard, and atop the sand dunes behind the temple lies the tomb of the mother of the Jebtsundamba. It was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, and some of the cultural relics are preserved in the Baicheng Regional Museum.

Since then, while the Deshun Twin Pagodas have gained widespread fame, knowledge of Lianhuatu Temple remains known to very few.

Today, the twin pagodas have been restored with funding from the Taonan municipal government and are among the few surviving ancient structures on the Songliao Plain in Northeast China. Their majestic and magnificent presence and beauty attract more and more domestic and international tourists to come and admire them.