Xigang Pagoda

Xigang Pagoda

Xigang Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xigang Pagoda is located on Xigang Hill, about one kilometer west of Laishui County in Hebei Province.

The original name of the pagoda is unknown, but it later came to be called Xigang Pagoda after the name of the hill. The pagoda has an octagonal floor plan and is a thirteen-story, closely-eaved, pavilion-style brick pagoda, standing 36 meters tall. It sits atop a Sumeru pedestal base, which is built upon an octagonal brick foundation. The waist of the Sumeru pedestal features carved flying corner pillars and column-like elements on all eight sides, with plain arched doorways between them. Above this is a lintel supporting the balcony’s bracket sets, with two bracket sets per side as part of a double-layered, heart-milled five-rank system. The corner bracket sets include two layers of 45-degree angled brackets on their sides, similar to the interstitial bracket sets. On the second level, interacting brackets on the projecting brackets support the eave lintel and the “yao tou,” above which lies the railing base. The railing base is adorned with relief carvings of intertwined lotus, peony, scrolling vines, and other floral patterns between the bowl lips and handrails. Above the balcony, three layers of lotus petals support the main body of the pagoda.

The body of the pagoda is 5 meters tall, with column-like elements shaped like Buddhist banners on each of the eight sides. The upper part of the pagoda body features carved cloud-shaped hanging curtains. Above this is a lintel that supports the bracket sets, with one interstitial bracket set also designed as a double-layered, heart-milled five-rank system. The corner bracket sets are the same as those on the balcony. The projecting brackets of the interstitial sets are divided into two groups angled outward at 60 degrees, supporting bamboo-style “yao tou” elements, eave lintels, and other components. The pagoda body has four frontal arched gateways, while the other four sides feature flat, square false windows with straight edges.

Above the pagoda body are thirteen closely stacked eave layers. Except for the first layer, which uses wooden eave rafters and brick flying rafters, the rest are all made of brick. The distance between the eaves of the second to twelfth layers is equal, with the overhang gradually decreasing with each level. All layers use the corbeling method to build out seven layers outward, replacing the need for bracket sets and eave rafters. At the corners of each eave layer, wooden angle beams are used to hang wind chimes. The distance between the twelfth and thirteenth layers is greater, and the four frontal sides feature arched gateways. Each of the eight sides has a round, leaning column, resting on an inverted-bowl style base. The columns support the lintel and bracket sets. Except for the interstitial bracket sets, the design of the bracket sets is the same as on the first layer, though slightly smaller in size. The top of the thirteenth layer eaves is covered with clay tiles forming an octagonal pyramidal roof, adorned with ridge ornaments. At the apex sits the steeple, most of which has been destroyed, leaving only the octagonal base and some decorative floral elements.

The interior structure of the pagoda is a double-layered sleeve design, consisting of the pagoda walls and a central column that form an octagonal circular corridor. The staircase is built within the corridor and brick columns, allowing visitors to spiral up from the pagoda body to the top. The exact year of the pagoda’s construction is unknown, but based on its architectural style and structural features, it is believed to be a relic from the Liao Dynasty.

In 2006, Xigang Pagoda was included in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council as an ancient building from the Liao Dynasty.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units