Xinhuai North Pagoda

Xinhuai North Pagoda

Xinhuai North Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The North Pagoda is located on the banks of the Zi River, 2 kilometers north of the county, and was completed in the 14th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1834). It was one of the "Eight Scenic Spots Outside the Old County Town," standing tall and majestic, once known as the "Lock and Key of the North Gate."

According to the Xinhuai County Annals from the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, the southwestern part of the county seat was high while the northeastern part was low, so a pavilion needed to be built to stabilize the area. A wooden pavilion was initially constructed but eventually collapsed after some time. There were discussions to build a stone pagoda, but due to the low-lying, sandy nature of the land, the plan was repeatedly delayed. In the 11th year of the Jiaqing reign (1806), digging began at a depth of 3.6 zhang, but due to lack of funds, work was suspended twice. The pagoda was finally completed in the autumn of the 14th year of the Daoguang reign (1834), taking a total of 20 years to build. The pagoda is constructed of blue bricks and stone materials. According to inscriptions: "The base of the pagoda is sealed with lime grout across twenty-four layers, with gold placed in the center and pearls and jade embedded around the sides." The pagoda stands 42 meters tall and is octagonal, with stone boats embedded on each corner resembling upturned eaves, covered with iron tiles and crowned with a bronze spire. The main gate of the pagoda is inscribed with the four characters "Lock and Key of the North Gate," and the side couplet reads: "Just about to lean on the railing to gaze into the distance, ascending step by step to the high tower." Inside the pagoda, there are spiral brick staircases leading directly to the top, totaling 492 steps. The pagoda has seven levels, each adorned with murals, calligraphy, and stone engravings of donors’ names. From the windows, one can see rolling green mountains in the distance, the emerald Zi River below, and the ancient scenery of Meicheng spread out before them. Throughout history, many notable figures have visited and composed poems here. Ming Dynasty official Hu Youheng wrote a poem upon reaching the top of the North Pagoda: "Where the river flows, emptiness remains; a single pagoda locks the rushing waters. Its presence guards the north of the county, its might dominates the east of the Zi. Lifting my head, I doubt the sun has set; letting out a long cry, I seem to touch the heavens. Planning to explore more wonders, I first gaze southwest toward the towering heights." The craftsmanship is exquisite. Despite more than a century and a half of wind and rain, it still stands firmly today.

The North Pagoda is exquisitely built and is a famous pagoda in central Hunan. It stands 44 meters tall and is constructed of stone and blue bricks in an octagonal shape, with stone boats embedded on each corner—some with dragon heads and others with fish tails resembling upturned eaves—topped with iron tiles and a cast spire. The base of the pagoda is fully paved with huge stones, the joints filled with lime mortar, layered and stacked without even a gap or a speck of soil, solid as a rock. The stone railings are inlaid with carvings of the Eighteen Scholars of the Tang Dynasty, lifelike in detail. The first level has a spacious hall that can accommodate eight dining tables, standing 10 meters tall, with a roof resembling an upside-down wok and sharply angled corners. On the left and right sides, curved corridors spiral upward. Starting from the third level, the height and width gradually decrease while the craftsmanship becomes increasingly refined. Each level’s corridor has windows at waist height, offering views of the surroundings. By the seventh level, looking north, a thousand miles stretch out before you with majestic mountains; to the east, high-rises stand in close rows with chimneys dotting the skyline; to the south, Mount Wei rises high, a bridge arches like a rainbow, the county town is grand, and the fields are picturesque; looking down, the Zi River resembles a ribbon with boats coming and going. Each level of the pagoda hall contains stone beds for sitting, lying, composing poetry, or painting. Beyond the seventh level, outside the hall, a narrow alley leads to a separate room, even more ingeniously designed, with stone benches arranged throughout and windows facing Mount Wei, with poetry and paintings covering the stone walls on either side. Sitting on the stone bench, one can take in the full view of Xinhuai’s scenery—the towers and city walls, the smoke of thousands of households—all of which is truly captivating.

After the liberation, due to the closure of the Zhexi Reservoir and the rising water level of the Zi River, the water reached the base of the pagoda. In 1979, funds were allocated by higher authorities to construct a protective embankment along the Zi River bank for the North Pagoda. The embankment is 10 meters high, 10 meters wide, and 1,500 meters long, and can protect the pagoda’s foundation from being submerged even during major floods that occur once every 20 years.

In 1981, the county government designated the North Pagoda as a Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

On January 4, 1996, the People's Government of Hunan Province announced it as a Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, with the designation number 35-11.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units