Xingyang Chan Temple Pagoda

Xingyang Chan Temple Pagoda

Xingyang Chan Temple Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xingyang Chan Temple Pagoda

Xingyang Chan Temple Pagoda, commonly known as the Zhangba Buddha Pagoda, is located at the former site of Xingyang Chan Temple in Licun Village, Majia Township, Anyang County, Anyang City, Henan Province. Xingyang Chan Temple, also called Xingyang Yuan, was built during the Tang Dynasty. Although the temple buildings have been destroyed, this pagoda remains standing. The Zhangba Buddha Pagoda has seven stories and is named “Zhangba Buddha Pagoda” because of the 1.8-zhang-tall (about 6 meters) stone Buddha statue standing on its ground floor. The base of the pagoda is octagonal, and it is a closely-eaved brick pagoda, standing about 20 meters tall in total. The southern side of the first story features a door, while the second to fourth stories each have windows on all sides, allowing visitors to climb up. Each level is adorned with imitation wooden bracket sets (dougong), and the eaves extend outward, giving an impression of soaring into the sky. The finial consists of multiple discs, topped with a precious bottle, and eight iron bells hang from the corners, swaying in the wind with a melodious sound. This pagoda rises powerfully from the ground, exuding a majestic and spectacular presence.

Anyang’s Xingyang Chan Temple is located in Licun Village, Majia Township, Anyang. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, it experienced several periods of prosperity and decline, and today most of its structures have been lost to time, with only the pagoda still standing on the temple ruins. In recent years, local devotees have rebuilt some structures at the original site, bringing the temple back to partial existence. From Anyang, take S301 or the Anyang-Linzhou Expressway westward, then turn onto S221 heading south. Upon reaching Tianxi Town, switch to a county road and proceed southwest through villages such as Zhongcheng, Nanping, and Jiaokou to reach Licun, with the temple situated to the north of the village.

Xingyang Chan Temple Pagoda is an octagonal, seven-story, closely-eaved brick pagoda, approximately 20 meters tall in total, though its exact construction date is unknown. Although elderly villagers claim it is a Tang Dynasty pagoda, due to lack of historical records and based on its architectural features, it is now considered to be in the style of the Song Dynasty. It is referred to as the “Zhangba Buddha Pagoda” because the pagoda’s first floor houses a carved stone Buddha statue about 5 meters tall.

Xingyang Chan Temple Pagoda is built with brick in imitation of wooden structure, featuring double-layered closely-spaced eaves and exquisitely crafted carved brick dougong. The southern side of the first floor has a niche door that provides access to the inner chamber where the large Buddha is enshrined. Above the niche door is a stone plaque inscribed with the words “Zhangba Buddha Pagoda.” The second to fourth stories feature niche doors on four sides, decorated with blind windows in between, while the upper three stories have no doors or windows. At the top is a lotus-shaped finial base, supporting seven discs (flying rings) that hold a gourd-shaped spire, all constructed from brick and stone. The spire leans slightly toward the northeast. The overall shape of the pagoda appears solid and dignified, yet the craftsmanship is extremely refined. Though not particularly tall, it still carries an imposing aura.

Majia Township: Majia Township administers 22 administrative villages including Kequan, Beiqi, Wangjiagang, Dingzhuang, Zhaojia, Xindayan, Jiajia, Nanyan, Majia, Daqiao, Dongpo, Chipo, Dongnao, Jiaokou, Naohou, Lizhuang, Lingtou, Longweigang, Zhaohe, Shajing, Hengling, and Guojiayao, with 93 villager groups. The township has a total of 7,839 households and 25,623 residents.

Majia Township is located in the southwestern part of Anyang County, bordering Shanying Town of Anyang County to the east, Hengshui Town of Linzhou City to the west, Jijia Mountain Township of Hebi City to the south, and Xujia Valley Township of Anyang County to the north. Majia Village is the location of the township government, at East Longitude 1... More detailed information about Majia Township++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units