Millennium Ancient Pagoda

Millennium Ancient Pagoda

The Millennium Ancient Pagoda is a cultural tourism attraction.

On the eastern outskirts of Tengzhou City, on the western bank of the Jing River, stands a towering ancient pagoda. When the setting sun casts its golden rays and the shimmering water ripples reflect the pagoda’s silhouette against the distant mountains, the scene becomes extraordinarily magnificent and breathtaking. It was named by ancient people as "Pagoda Shadow High Mark" (also known as "Buddha Pagoda Stands Like Jade"), one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Ancient Teng.

The pagoda is commonly known as the Longquan Pagoda and was originally a Buddhist pagoda of the Longquan Temple. The Longquan Temple was grand in scale, with its yellow walls and glazed tiles, lush pines, and dark blue eaves visible from afar. Upon entering the temple, visitors would see the majestic central hall flanked by neat side halls. The Buddha statues inside were vividly lifelike, and the stele room housed a rich collection of elegant and ancient inscribed tablets. By the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, most of the grand architectural complex of the Longquan Temple had collapsed or fallen into disrepair, leaving only this pagoda. The once magnificent Longquan Buddhist Temple has become history, but the Longquan Pagoda still stands tall through the vicissitudes of time.

Regarding the naming of the Longquan Pagoda, historical records state: "There was also a large spring that often flooded nearby residences, 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 the Longquan Pagoda built? Due to the long passage of time and loss of historical materials, there is still no definitive conclusion. The 1821 *Teng County Annals* contains a poem titled "Buddha Pagoda Stands Like Jade":

Long has it stood with Wei Zhao’s inscription bright,

Lofty above Longquan, it guards the folk in sight.

　Emerald peaks embrace its grace around,

　Its seven-tiered shadow clear, serene, and sound.

　Soaring to the clouds, it grasps them with might,

　Facing the sun, it shares the loyal light.

　Wind-blown golden bells chime soft and sweet,