Cishou Temple Pagoda

Cishou Temple Pagoda

Cishou Temple Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Destination Introduction

Cishou Temple Pagoda is located in Bali Zhuang, Yuyuantan Township, Haidian District. Its formal name is Yong’an Wanshou Pagoda, commonly known as Cishou Temple Pagoda, and also referred to as Bali Zhuang Pagoda. The temple and pagoda were built in the fourth year of the Wanli era (1576) by Empress Dowager Cisheng, the mother of Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty, on the former site of the tomb of eunuch Gu Dayong from the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty. The temple was abandoned during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, leaving only the solitary pagoda. Location: Bali Zhuang, Yuyuantan Township, Haidian District

The pagoda is an octagonal, 13-story, dense-eave solid brick structure, approximately 50 meters tall, modeled after the Liao Dynasty pagoda of Tianning Temple. The base consists of a double-layered Sumeru pedestal with 40 small niches carved with over 200 figures in various poses and styles. Above that are three tiers of upward-facing lotus petals supporting the body of the pagoda. The four cardinal sides of the pagoda body—east, west, south, and north—feature brick-carved arched gateways. The southern gateway arch bears the inscription “Yong’an Wanshou Pagoda,” while the other three sides have arched windows. Statues of fierce Vajra guardians originally flanked these openings, but they are now damaged. Each of the dense eaves has an iron wind chime hanging from its rafter, totaling more than 3,000; each story also features 24 Buddha niches housing copper Buddha statues. The spire is a gilded bronze precious vase. It is considered a masterpiece among Ming Dynasty dense-eave pagodas. Two stone steles stand on either side of the pagoda: the left one depicts the Purple Bamboo Guanyin, and the right one shows the Fish Basket Guanyin along with the image and inscription of Guan Shengdi. Not far in front of the pagoda are two ancient ginkgo trees.

In May 2013, Cishou Temple Pagoda was designated and announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Accessible by taking bus routes 26, 335, or 336 and getting off at Bali Zhuang.

Scenic Spot Location

Bali Zhuang, Haidian District, Beijing

Bali Zhuang Subdistrict: Located in the southern part of Haidian District, Bali Zhuang Subdistrict was established in March 1963. Currently, the jurisdiction includes 35 community residents' committees, covering a total administrative area of 6.5 square kilometers, with a registered population of 82,878 and a floating population of 59,489. In 2009, the subdistrict had a fiscal expenditure of 65.737 million yuan. The area is home to Fucheng Road, a premium culinary street featuring renowned dining establishments such as Xiang E Qing, Jinyue, Lichang, and Shunfeng, making it one of Beijing’s four famous specialty food streets. Other notable institutions include the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference News Office, Capital Normal University, Crystal CG Digital Technology Co., Ltd., and Beijing Kejingyuan Science & Technology... More detailed information about Bali Zhuang Subdistrict++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Beijing

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units