Zhuozhou Yong'an Temple Pagoda

Zhuozhou Yong'an Temple Pagoda

Zhuozhou Yong'an Temple Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Yong'an Temple Pagoda is located approximately 10 kilometers east of Zhuozhou City in Hebei Province, about 50 meters north of Tazhao Village, Diaowo Township. It is commonly referred to locally as "Tazhaotai Pagoda." Built within the former Yong'an Temple on this site, it was thus named Yong'an Temple Pagoda.

The original temple faced south and included structures such as the mountain gate, front hall, gate tower, rear hall, and east and west side halls. The temple was demolished in 1952, and now only the pagoda remains.

This pagoda is an octagonal, dense-eave style solid brick pagoda, consisting of three parts: the base, the body, and seven layers of dense eaves, standing 19.1 meters tall. The base is shaped like a Sumeru pedestal, 3.5 meters high with a circumference of 24.8 meters. Its waist section features carved brick geometric patterns and floral designs, now partially damaged; the upper Sumeru pedestal includes bracket sets and balustraded terraces, atop which three tiers of large upturned lotus petals are carved in brick to support the pagoda body. The pagoda body is 3.6 meters high, with a arched Buddhist niche on the main southern face. The niche is 2 meters high, 1 meter wide, with walls 0.72 meters thick, and bears the ink inscription “Jienà Sumeru” (界纳须弥) on the front. Other sides feature interlaced carved partitioned arched niches and notched blind windows, with Sanskrit stone inscriptions embedded above each window. The first layer of the pagoda's eaves is adorned with carved brick brackets, arranged in layered support formations. The eaves gradually reduce in size as they go upward, creating a layered, cascading visual effect. The upper part of the pagoda body is richly decorated and exquisitely crafted. Due to damage from lightning strikes in ancient times, some parts have been lost.

Although there are no records of this pagoda in various historical texts, its construction techniques and artistic style are identical to those of the Zhidu Temple Pagoda and Yunju Temple Pagoda in the ancient city area of Zhuozhou. Especially notable is that the brick bracket craftsmanship is exactly the same, indicating they were built in the same period. The pagoda’s carved details, form, decorative motifs, and structural proportions all highlight its unique architectural value.

In May 2013, Zhuozhou Yong'an Temple Pagoda was designated as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units