Yongnian Guanyin Pavilion

Yongnian Guanyin Pavilion

Yongnian Guanyin Pavilion is a cultural tourism attraction.

Guanyin Pavilion is located in Linqiaocheng Village, Yongnian County. Its earliest history dates back to the Tang Dynasty, and it reached a considerable scale during the Ming Dynasty. The “Record of the Reconstruction of Guanyin Pavilion” from the 16th year of the Guangxu reign (1890) states: “The exact year of its initial construction is unknown. It is said that Tang Dynasty’s Yu Chijingde once renovated it by imperial decree, but the broken steles and fragmented inscriptions have long vanished. Some say it might have been built during the Wei or Northern Dynasties when Buddhism was widely revered—this remains uncertain.” The county annals from the Qing Dynasty refer to it as the Drum Tower. The structure of Guanyin Pavilion has endured wind and rain and has been repaired several times. It covers an area of over a thousand square meters. Originally thirty meters high, it had four levels. The ground floor served as the passageway for the north-south main street, with a plaque inscribed horizontally with the words “First Scenic Wonder of Yan and Zhao.”

Legend has it that these words were written by Wang Qintang, a local scholar during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty. The upper level features twelve eaves corners that reach skyward, forming upturned roof corners. With wooden arch structures and glazed tile roofing, it is resplendent and magnificent—an architectural rarity in Hebei. According to the “Record of the Reconstruction of Guanyin Pavilion” from the 22nd year of the Jiaqing reign (1817): “Records show that since the Han and Tang dynasties, Linqiao... has always been bustling with activity. The prosperity of the market and the convergence of merchants can be imagined.” This reflects the commercial vibrancy of the area at that time.

The ground floor of Guanyin Pavilion originally housed three iron-cast Buddha statues. According to the “Record of the Iron-Cast Buddha Statue of Guanyin Pavilion in Linqiao, Yongnian County, Guangping Prefecture, Zhili Province” from the 47th year of the Wanli reign (1619): “The emperor once decreed the casting of Buddha statues, and the local magistrate responded by commissioning them. The statues were installed in the main hall of the pavilion. Who could have foreseen that they would later suffer destruction?” It is truly lamentable. Unfortunately, during the Cultural Revolution in 1966, the bronze and iron Buddha statues were smashed, and the first and second floors were demolished, leaving only the ground floor gateway and a Sun Tower. In 1986, the pavilion was restored with funds raised by local residents and the expertise of the Hebei Ancient Architecture Research Institute.

Currently, Guanyin Pavilion has a construction area of 1,200 square meters, is 21 meters high, and consists of three levels. It is two bays deep and three bays wide, with corridors surrounding the structure and a green-glazed tile roof. The northern-facing plaque is inscribed with the words “First Scenic Wonder of Yan and Zhao,” written by contemporary calligrapher Huang Qi. The southern-facing plaque is inscribed with “Gazing Upon the Southern Sea,” written by local calligraphy master Li Ying. Four corner towers—Moon Tower, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and the original Sun Tower—surround the pavilion. In August 1995, Guanyin Pavilion was designated as one of the first municipal-level cultural heritage protection units by the Handan Municipal People’s Government.

For thousands of years, Guanyin Pavilion has enjoyed enduring popularity and thriving incense offerings. Major events such as the temple fair on the 19th day of the second lunar month and the “Dajiao” ritual on the 30th day of the seventh lunar month attract visitors from far and wide. The most spectacular event is the Lantern Festival during the Yuanxiao (Lantern) Festival. It is said that on the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of the first lunar month, thousands of lanterns are lit. As night falls, countless lanterns illuminate the pavilion inside and out, making it glow brilliantly red. From afar, the sight of Guanyin Pavilion—ablaze with lights and thronged with people—showcases the timeless charm of the “First Scenic Wonder of Yan and Zhao.”

Transportation Guide

Attraction Address: South Street, Yongnian County, Handan City, Hebei Province

Getting There: Take a taxi or walk west along Zuo Zuo Health Street in Yongnian County and then head south onto South Street to reach the site.