Tengzhou Longquan Pagoda

Tengzhou Longquan Pagoda

Tengzhou Longquan Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

On the eastern outskirts of Tengzhou, on the west bank of the Jing River, stands a towering ancient pagoda. When the setting sun casts its golden rays, the shimmering ripples of the water, the pagoda’s shadow, and the distant mountains create a breathtakingly beautiful scene. Ancient people named this sight "Pagoda Shadow High Mark" (also called "Pagoda Towering Over Jade"), one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Ancient Tengzhou.

The ancient pagoda, commonly known as Longquan Pagoda, was originally a Buddhist pagoda of Longquan Temple. Longquan Temple was grand in scale, with its yellow walls and tiles, as well as its verdant pines and blue-tiled rooftops, visible from afar. Inside the temple, the main hall was majestic, flanked by neat side halls. The Buddha statues inside were vividly crafted, and the stele room housed a rich collection of ancient, elegant inscriptions. By the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, most of Longquan Temple’s grand architectural complex had collapsed or fallen into disrepair, leaving only the pagoda. The once magnificent Longquan Chan Temple has become history, but Longquan Pagoda stands firmly through the vicissitudes of time. Regarding the naming of the pagoda, historical records state: "There was also a large spring that often flooded residents' homes, so the pagoda was built to suppress it. The name 'Longquan' likely originates from this." The origin of the pagoda’s name may be related to water.

When was Longquan Pagoda built? Due to the long passage of time and loss of records, there is still no definitive conclusion. The Qing Dynasty’s Daoguang-era Tengxian County Annals contains a poem titled "Pagoda Towering Over Jade": "Long following Wei Zhao’s inscribed fame, standing firmly over Longquan to settle its people. Emerald hues embrace peaks nurturing beauty together, shadows float on seven levels uniquely serene. Soaring beyond clouds, it takes on a grasping-cloud form, facing the sun, it shares the sentiment of holding the sun. Wind passes, golden bells chime melodiously, instantly cleansing vulgar ears of lute and zither sounds." Based on this, it is inferred that Longquan Pagoda may have been built after the county seat moved eastward during the Tang Dynasty's Yuanhe era, about 1,200 years ago.

For thousands of years, Longquan Pagoda has endured erosion by wind and rain, especially surviving the great earthquake during the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi era, yet it remains standing firmly. This is attributed not only to the high quality of its original construction but also to continuous maintenance.

In March 1938, during the Tengxian Defense Battle, which was a prelude to the famous Battle of Taierzhuang, Japanese forces bombarded the city of Tengxian heavily. The ancient pagoda suffered severe war damage: the spire collapsed, eaves and brackets fell off, and the body of the pagoda was left riddled with holes and scars. The Tengxian County Party Committee and County Government allocated special funds for comprehensive repairs. Official construction began on July 10, 1984, including clearing the collapsed top chamber, rebuilding the ninth level of the pagoda wall and archway, and pouring concrete to reinforce the top. An eight-petal metal lotus pedestal and a gourd-shaped finial were installed, along with a lightning rod. Grooves were carved above the eaves on each level, and reinforced concrete ring beams were poured and embedded, then covered with green bricks to strengthen the Sumeru pedestal below the midsection. After more than five months of effort, the project was completed on December 25. The restored Longquan Pagoda stands even more majestically and solemnly, presenting a renewed presence on the banks of the Jing River.

Longquan Subdistrict: Longquan Subdistrict is located in the eastern part of the urban area, governing 6 communities, 49 neighborhood committees, covering an area of 28.1 square kilometers, with a population of 90,000.

Longquan Subdistrict boasts a rich cultural heritage. It is home to natural and cultural resources such as the ancient Longquan Pagoda from the Tang Dynasty, the Han Dynasty Stone Relief Museum, the Mozi Research Center, and the Wang Xuezhong Art Gallery. It serves as the educational and cultural center of Tengzhou City.

Longquan Subdistrict enjoys a superior location, convenient transportation, and a high level of urbanization. It borders the Rizhao Lanshan Seaport to the east and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to the west. The Beijing-Fuzhou Expressway and the Beijing-Shanghai Railway run north-south through the area, with nearby airports in Jinan, Xuzhou, and Linyi. … Longquan Subdistrict detailed information ++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units