Chaoyang Cave Pagoda

Chaoyang Cave Pagoda

Chaoyang Cave Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Chaoyang Cave Pagoda is located in Aijiagou Village, Dia’e Township, Chicheng County. Chaoyang Cave consists of three vast and deep natural caves. The cliffs tower above the ground, with grotesque rocks jutting out. Palaces built inside the caves present unique features. Both inside and outside the caves stand ancient structures such as the Jade Emperor Hall, Guanyin Hall, Three Palaces Shrine, Dragon King Temple, and Mountain God Temple, arranged in an engaging layout with magnificent appearances. Today, most of the ancient buildings have been destroyed, leaving only a solitary pagoda and several stone stelae. The Chaoyang Cave Pagoda stands 1.3 meters tall and is a covered-bowl-style Lamaist pagoda. Its base is hexagonal, each side measuring 2.8 meters, constructed from stone slabs, topped with a corbelled pedestal. The decorative brick carvings on the waist of the pagoda are exquisitely crafted, with fine construction, elegant and refined in style. Judging by its architectural style, it is believed to be a work from the Ming Dynasty. The Chaoyang Cave Temple and Pagoda were originally built in the tenth year of the Hongzhi reign (1497), and were renovated in the thirty-fourth year of the Qianlong reign (1769) and the first year of the Xianfeng reign (1851) of the Qing Dynasty.

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

Further reading:

· Third Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units