Yizheng Tianning Temple Pagoda

Yizheng Tianning Temple Pagoda

Yizheng Tianning Temple Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

Yizheng Tianning Temple Pagoda

The Tianning Temple Pagoda is located to the west of the North Garden of Jinsui Lou Apartments on Gongnong South Road, Tianning Community, Zhenzhou Town, Yizheng City. Originally part of the Tianning Temple, which no longer stands, the pagoda was first constructed in the third year of the Jinglong era during the Tang Dynasty (709 AD). It was destroyed by fire during warfare in the early Southern Song Dynasty, and later rebuilt in the fourth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1371 AD). It is an ancient structure that served multiple functions, including religious use, promoting culture, and navigation. The pagoda is a seven-story, octagonal, brick-and-wood structure with a pavilion-style design, tapering slightly with each ascending level. Its interior is square-shaped. The pagoda stands 42.23 meters tall, covers a ground area of 54 square meters, with the base floor extending over 371.58 square meters, and has a total built-up area of 383.08 square meters. In the third year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty (1877 AD), a kitchen fire within the temple damaged the spire, eaves, outer corridors, and balconies, leaving only the main body of the pagoda intact. The Tianning Temple Pagoda is an iconic ancient structure in Yizheng. Some of the pagoda’s corner bases utilize an advanced flat iron lintel technique on several levels, marking the first discovery of this method among ancient pagodas in Jiangsu Province. The staggered levels, with opposing windows, create dynamic visual effects and enhance lighting and ventilation. These features hold significant research value for the study of ancient religious architecture and religious art. In October 2002, it was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

Tianning Community: Located in the urban area of Zhenzhou, Tianning Community is bordered by Dongyuan South Road to the east, Yangzi East Road to the south, Gongnong South Road to the west, and Xinhe Road to the north, covering an area of 1.2 square kilometers. The community is home to 2,147 households and 7,145 residents. Within its jurisdiction are 10 organizations, including the Municipal People's Hospital, the Junior High Section of Yizheng Middle School, the Grain Bureau, the Experimental Primary School, and the Industrial School. The community consists of 8 resident groups and over 100 commercial households.

The community has established a Party branch, a Residents' Committee, a Community Members' Representative Assembly, and a Consultative Council. The Residents' Committee oversees the Community Service Committee, the Community Health Committee... More details about Tianning Community++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Jiangsu Province