Tianshou Temple Great Sage Pagoda

Tianshou Temple Great Sage Pagoda

The Tianshou Temple Great Sage Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Song Dynasty

Address: North side of Yingchun Street, Guangde County, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province.

The Tianshou Temple Pagoda was originally built with five stories. In the second year of the Yuanyou era (1099 AD) of the Song Dynasty, the pagoda was destroyed by fire. Between the third year of Yuanyou (1100 AD) and the fourth year of Chongning (1105 AD), it was rebuilt into a seven-story stupa. Towering in height, it is an example of the pavilion-style architecture of southern China, constructed with brick and wood, featuring overhanging eaves and upturned corners, with wind bells hanging from the angles. It stands 31.34 meters tall. In the 35th year of the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era (1607 AD) and the 7th year of the Qing Dynasty's Kangxi era (1668 AD), it underwent two more renovations. In the 26th year of the Guangxu era (1900 AD), it was destroyed by fire, leaving only the brick structure of the pagoda body. In October 1983, a “crypt” was discovered. This crypt is a straight-walled brick pit, 110 cm deep, with a square base measuring 32 cm per side.

Inside the crypt was a stone stele inscribed with the history of the pagoda. The pagoda was restored in 1986. The reconstructed Great Sage Treasure Pagoda largely retained its original characteristics: seven stories with six sides, six-tiered flying eaves, and a rooftop adorned with iron chains. Its total height is 42.8 meters, with a base area of 46 square meters. The floor is paved with blue bricks, and each level’s eaves are adorned with wind bells that tinkle melodiously in the breeze, bringing the seven-story pagoda back to its former glory. Inside the pagoda, a spiral staircase leads to the top, offering a panoramic view of the mountain city. A pagoda courtyard was also built at the same time, planted with exotic flowers, plants, potted landscapes, and rockeries. The exhibition room displays historical relics from various dynasties for visitors to admire.

It was listed as a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1956. The Tianshou Temple Great Sage Pagoda was first built in the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Northern Song Dynasty (979 AD). Tianshou Temple was established during the Tianyou period of the Tang Dynasty (around 905 AD). The pagoda took its name from the temple, hence it is called the Tianshou Temple Great Sage Treasure Pagoda.

Protected Area: Outside the foundation walls of the pagoda courtyard, extending 1 meter east, 5 meters south to the north side of Yingchun Street, 3 meters west, and 5 meters north.

Construction Control Zone: Extending 100 meters east, 100 meters south, 80 meters west, and 60 meters north outside the protected area.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units