Cuijiamiao Thousand Buddha Pagoda

Cuijiamiao Thousand Buddha Pagoda

The Cuijiamiao Thousand Buddha Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province.

The Thousand Buddha Pagoda is located 2 kilometers north of Pingyuan County and east of Cuijiamiao Village in Santang Township, adjacent to the Beijing-Shanghai Railway and Provincial Highway 101, commonly known as Cuijia Pagoda. Originally built in the eighth year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1669 AD), it has a history of over 300 years. In 2005, it was designated as a “Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit” by the Dezhou Municipal People’s Government. The pagoda is constructed from blue bricks, with windows on all four sides, and the entrance faces south, featuring a stone lintel engraved with the words “Thousand Buddha Pagoda.” It stands seven stories tall at 26 meters high, reportedly symbolizing the Buddhist concept of the Seven-Tiered Pagoda (Seven Heavens). The pagoda tapers gradually from the bottom up, with internal staircases on each level allowing visitors to climb up and enjoy the rural scenery. Alongside the construction of the pagoda, the Maitreya Nunnery (commonly called Cuijia Temple) was also renovated. The old county annals include the “Record of the Construction of the New Maitreya Nunnery and the Thousand Buddha Pagoda.” From the 10th year of the Republic of China (1921 AD) to the early years of the founding of the People’s Republic, the temple was converted into a village elementary school. Now the temple no longer exists, but the Thousand Buddha Pagoda remains. Despite enduring hundreds of years of weathering, the pagoda's structure remains solid and graceful.

Source: Pingyuan County Chronicles Office

Santang Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Pingyuan County. In 1950, it belonged to Liutun District; in 1956, it was reassigned to Liutun Township; in 1958, it came under Liutun Commune; in 1965, Santang Commune was established; in 1984, it became a township. Located in the northwest part of the county, it is 14 kilometers from the county seat. Covering an area of 73 square kilometers with a population of 19,000, it is traversed by the Beijing-Shanghai Highway and the Jide Highway. It administers Fengzhuang, Yujiaquan, Quzhuang, Luzhuang, Dianhou Sunzhuang, Quliudian, Xiaotangzhuang, Laotangzhuang, Weiziyuan, Wangkezhuang, Fuzhuang, Liangzhuang, Xiaotun, Tanjiawa, Xiaoliuzhuang, Guandaozheng, Jiaozhuang, Bazhuang, Songzhuang, Liuzhanzhuang, ZhaoLiu’an, Wangdong… More detailed information about Santang Township++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units