Jizhou Xidi North Pagoda (Earthquake and Hail Pagoda)

Jizhou Xidi North Pagoda (Earthquake and Hail Pagoda)

Jizhou Xidi North Pagoda (Earthquake and Hail Pagoda) is a protected cultural heritage site of Hebei Province.

Xidi North Pagoda (Earthquake and Hail Pagoda) is located 50 meters east of Xidi North Village, Menzhuang Township, Jizhou City. This Yuan Dynasty structure was historically the site of an annual spring ceremony where locals prayed for protection from hailstorms—hence the name "Earthquake and Hail Pagoda."

The pagoda is entirely constructed from bluestone, with a total height of 8 meters. Its base is square-shaped, while the main body takes the form of a hexagonal pyramid, topped with a 1.5-meter-high stone gourd. From the bottom up—excluding the base and the gourd—the pagoda is divided into four levels: The first level has a diameter of 2 meters, with an elephant relief on the front side and inscriptions on the main face, most of which are now illegible. However, the prominent characters “南无释迦牟尼佛” (Namo Shakyamuni Buddha) are still clearly visible, indicating that this is a Buddhist pagoda. At the bottom of the inscription, the date “嘉靖三年” (the third year of the Jiajing era) can be identified, likely marking the year the stone pagoda was completed.

At the junction between the first and second levels, there is a lotus relief. On the second level, the front shrine features inscriptions on both sides reading “大清乾隆二十六年三月十二日全村发心重立” (The entire village contributed to rebuild on March 12th of the 26th year of the Qianlong era in the Qing Dynasty), which likely records the date of restoration. The third level has Buddha reliefs on all four sides. From the second to the fourth level, the front faces feature sequential carvings of dragon heads, precious vases, and Buddha figures. The fourth level contains inscriptions carved in intaglio; due to long-term weathering, most text is no longer legible, though the larger characters “震雹塔” (Earthquake and Hail Pagoda) can still be clearly seen.

The Xidi North Pagoda (Earthquake and Hail Pagoda) is uniquely constructed and finely carved. It is the only stone pagoda in the Hengshui region and is recognized as a provincial-level cultural heritage site. Hengshui is home to four notable pagodas: the Kai Fu Temple Sarira Pagoda in Jing County, the Bao Yun Pagoda in Old Hengshui City, the Qing Lin Temple Pagoda in Gucheng, and the Xidi North Pagoda in Jizhou.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Hebei Province