Changchungou Pagoda Group

Changchungou Pagoda Group

The Changchungou Pagoda Group is a cultural heritage site protected by Hebei Province.

The Changchungou Pagoda Group is located in Dahaituo Township, Chicheng County, and currently consists of six ancient pagodas. Pagoda No. 1 is built on a solitary peak in front of Changchun Temple (formerly known as Shenghai Temple, originally constructed during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty). A tall Sumeru pedestal supports a large inverted-bowl structure, with a square base measuring 1.08 meters on each side. The Sumeru pedestal is 1.26 meters high, and the remaining height of the inverted bowl is 0.95 meters.

Pagoda No. 2 is situated in front of the former site of Baoshan Temple (commonly called the North Temple) in North Changchungou, surrounded by mountains and sheltered by pine forests. Its architectural style features a closely-layered pavilion-style brick-and-stone structure. The base of the pagoda is hexagonal, with a perimeter of 7.2 meters. The total height of the pagoda is 8 meters, including a 3.6-meter-high Sumeru pedestal, an inverted bowl that is 1.8 meters high, and a spire that is 1.8 meters high. The waist of the Sumeru pedestal is inlaid with 17 exquisitely carved brick reliefs, mainly depicting “Sea Horses Facing Clouds,” “Fungal Cattle Gazing at the Moon,” and “Seated Statue of Sakyamuni.” Between the inverted bowl and the Sumeru pedestal is a ring of upward-facing lotus petals, totaling 66 in number. The top of the inverted bowl is adorned with a 13-tiered finial and supports the spire.

Pagodas No. 3 to 5 are located on the eastern slope of Xiaonan Valley behind Changchun Temple. They are of the same size and structure, arranged in a triangular formation about 7 meters apart. These brick-and-stone structures are Lamaist pagodas and feature distinctive decorative styles. The bases are octagonal, built with stone slabs. The Sumeru pedestal is 0.72 meters high, decorated with one layer of inverted lotus and two layers of upward-facing lotus. The upward and inverted lotuses are separated by concentric rings, supporting a slender inverted bowl that is 1.2 meters high. The front features an arched niche housing a pagoda inscription. The rear pagoda is inscribed: “Stupa of the Venerable Master Yan Yuangzhuang Shu Shenghai Hall, Ben, Xia, Ranhui Kung, Built in the First Year of the Guangxu Reign.” The left front pagoda reads: “Stupa of the Esteemed Teacher Yan Yuangzhuang Shu, Fa, Xia, Xiliang Kung, Constructed in the First Month of the Thirteenth Year of the Tongzhi Reign.” The right front pagoda states: “Stupa of the Esteemed Teacher Yan Yuangzhuang Shu, Jing, Xia, Xizhi Kung, Constructed in the First Month of the Thirteenth Year of the Tongzhi Reign.” Their finials are uniquely designed — seven massive tiers (one has five tiers), standing 1.7 meters high, with a rugged form and softly tapering contours, occupying nearly half the height of the pagoda. The top features only a small 0.2-meter-diameter round canopy.

In July 1993, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the People’s Government of Hebei Province.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites