Tiancheng Temple Relic Pagoda in Tianjin

Tiancheng Temple Relic Pagoda in Tianjin

Tiancheng Temple Relic Pagoda is a cultural tourism attraction.

Also known as the Ancient Buddha Relic Pagoda. Located at the foot of Cuiping Mountain, north of Lianhua Ridge on Panshan Mountain in Jixian County, to the west of the main hall of Tiancheng Temple and beside Feibo Stream. It was originally built in the Tang Dynasty, rebuilt between the first and tenth years of the Tianqing era of the Liao Dynasty (1111–1120), renovated during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty, burned down by Japanese invading forces in 1942, and restored in 1980 with the addition of a bronze bell and the spire. The pagoda has thirteen closely stacked octagonal tiers, standing 22.63 meters tall. Each eave corner is adorned with a bronze bell, totaling 104 in all, which tinkle melodiously in the wind. The base is made of granite Sumeru pedestals and three tiers of carved brick lotus petals, both upturned and downturned. The main body of the pagoda features a rectangular door on the south side, housing a Buddhist shrine; the east, west, and north sides have imitation brick-carved doors; the four sides are decorated with relief-carved false windows. Above these are bracket sets (dougong), with single-tiered ang-bracket arms at the corner posts and diagonal ang-brackets between columns, all crafted in imitation wood using brick carving. These support the towering thirteen-tiered eaves, constructed with a brick-stacking method where the overhanging eaves gradually narrow with each tier. Both the pagoda body and the outer edges of the eaves are slightly inset, giving the structure an elegant and dignified form. The entire pagoda is coated in a pale yellow hue, harmonizing beautifully with Tiancheng Temple and Cuiping Peak. 　

Jixian County, Tianjin