Lichuan Three Pagodas

Lichuan Three Pagodas

The Lichuan Three Pagodas are protected as cultural heritage sites of Hubei Province.

In 2008, the Lichuan Three Pagodas (Lingyun Pagoda in Nanping, Peifeng Pagoda, and Yiyingshan Pagoda in Lichuan) were designated as Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites of Hubei Province. Among them, Peifeng Pagoda and Yiyingshan Pagoda are located within Tuanbao Town, Lichuan.

Lingyun Pagoda in Nanping is located in the town center of Nanping Township, Lichuan City, Hubei Province. There stands a majestic stone arch pagoda with an octagonal base and a height of about 20 meters, covering an area of 25 square meters — this is the “Lingyun Pagoda.” Originally built in the seventh year of the Daoguang reign, it was completed after the establishment of Ruigao Academy. Though its body is weathered, it still exudes a majestic aura and an unyielding spirit. “A literary star rises from the earth, reflecting the constellation of Shaohao; a sword’s edge by the heavens connects to the energy of Qi and Wei” — these lines bear testimony to both the pagoda and the people behind it.

In 1787 (the Dingwei year of the Qianlong reign), Wang Lin, then the patrol inspector of Nanping, resolutely took it upon himself to establish a free school in Nanping. After unremitting efforts, in the spring of 1792 (the Renzi year), the school building was completed and teachers were hired to open the academy. Grateful for Magistrate Wang’s benevolence, locals named it “Ruigao Academy.” In the autumn of 1800 (the Gengshen year), reconstruction was completed. Wang Lin solicited donations far and wide, gathering funds to purchase property for educational use, generating annual revenue. The plaque inscription reads: “All those who wish for their children to study or cannot afford private tutors are welcome to learn here, fostering dedication and camaraderie among people, bringing renewed vitality.” At that time, all funds were “not misused in vain, but accumulated as surplus.” Later, “surplus funds from the academy were used to build a stone pagoda,” as a way to inspire future generations and commemorate this structure. At the time, for the sake of education, two virtuous and incorruptible figures, Li Yongchang, stated: “This heart can face heaven and earth, and be attested by gods and men. I dare not claim merit, but hope to be free of guilt before my predecessors.”

Peifeng Pagoda is located in Shaitianba Village on Peifeng Avenue, Tuanbao Town, about 1 kilometer from the town center, facing Tuanbao Middle School across the river. It was named for its purpose of cultivating “literary spirit.” Built in the winter of the 26th year of the Daoguang reign (1846), it is a brick-and-stone structure, hexagonal in shape with seven stories and double eaves in a pavilion style. It covers an area of 20 square meters, is 17.8 meters tall, has a regular hexagonal floor plan with each side 1.9 meters long, and the main gate faces west, measuring 0.9 meters in width. The lintel bears the three characters “Peifeng Pagoda” in regular script, carved in intaglio. The stone gate features reliefs depicting fishing, woodcutting, farming, and reading. The couplet reads: “At the towering peak, one connects with the purple air; ascending the layered stairs, one steadily reaches the azure clouds.” The interior flooring of the pagoda has been destroyed. This pagoda was initiated by late Qing literati from Tuanbao and received support from Wu Renyan, the local magistrate of Lichuan under the Shinan Prefecture, and Liao Sheng, the head of Confucian studies in Lichuan. During construction, hundreds of locals voluntarily donated money, while Master Yongfa of Shilong Temple and Master Ziran of Wusheng Palace donated 2,400,000 cash. Other notable patrons included the imperial scholars Xiao Guangchao, Xiao Guangchu, and Liu Deyu. Ran Shouyi, a local scholar, composed the preface for the pagoda. It is a Provincial Cultural Heritage Site of Hubei Province.

Yiyingshan Pagoda is located by a pond in Yemao Shui Village, Tuanbao Town, about 5 kilometers from the town center. It was named because the pagoda was built by the water, and its reflection reaches the opposite bank. Legend says there was once a sinkhole in the pond, into which a wild cat fell. Later, water accumulated to form the pond, which often flooded, causing disasters. To suppress evil spirits, this pagoda was built. Simply put, Yiyingshan Pagoda is a feng shui pagoda. It was built in the sixth year of the Xianfeng reign (1856). It was funded by 78 members of the Ran family, including Ran Yongquan, and 21 of their relatives and friends. The pagoda is a seven-story, six-sided brick-and-stone structure, nine meters tall. On either side of the gate are inscribed the couplet: “A single hue of sky holds up the sun; at the fifth watch, the sea reflects the heavens.” The horizontal tablet reads “Yiyingshan Pagoda.” The first story is decorated with carvings of flowers and plants on the exterior, the second embeds stone tablets, and the third through seventh stories are adorned with painted floral designs. The seventh story and the top of the pagoda have been damaged by lightning and collapsed, now overgrown with weeds and small trees. This pagoda was funded by local Tujia people such as Ran Yongquan. The preface and poems inscribed on the pagoda were written by Tujia locals Wu Fengqiao and Ran Fu Chu. It is a Provincial Cultural Heritage Site of Hubei Province.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites of Hubei Province