Chenzhou Three Pagodas

Chenzhou Three Pagodas

The Chenzhou Three Pagodas are cultural relic protection units of Hunan Province.

Longyin Pagoda

Longyin Pagoda is situated on Zhangzhou Islet in the Donghe River to the east of the county town. It is named after the sound of the water nearby, which resembles a dragon’s roar. The pagoda is 42 meters high and is the tallest and most intact stone pagoda still existing in Hunan Province. In January 1996, it was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province. Historical records from the 11th year of the Tongzhi reign (1872) in the “Yuanling County Annals” and a stele from the 20th year of the Daoguang reign (1840) state that Longyin Pagoda was built during the Ming Dynasty, with its seven-tiered structure completed in the 29th year of the Daoguang reign. The decorative elements under each tier of the pagoda are uniquely varied, featuring stone brackets, Buddha statues, and more. It blends architectural styles from both the Ming and Qing dynasties while incorporating local characteristics of western Hunan, creating a distinctive architectural style. Inside the pagoda, a spiral staircase leads directly to the top. The structure is rigorously built, with exquisitely and elegantly decorated features, and presents a perfectly harmonious overall form, demonstrating a very high level of scientific and artistic achievement.

Fengming Pagoda

Fengming Pagoda is located atop Xianglu Mountain on the southern bank of the Yuan River, east of the county town. During the middle period of the Wanli reign in the Ming Dynasty, Mao Yunrang, the prefect of Chenzhou, initiated the construction of a seven-tiered pagoda. It was renovated in the 30th year of the Daoguang reign (1850). The pagoda stands on an octagonal base, is 25 meters tall, has a bottom diameter of 4 meters, and features eight sides across seven tiers. The eaves are covered with tubular and flat tiles, with drip tiles at the rakes, and lime-plastered gourd-shaped finials. The eave corners are slightly upturned. The main southern side of the ground floor features a round arched gate, inscribed with the horizontal plaque “Fengming Pagoda.”

Luming Pagoda

Luming Pagoda stands atop Luming Mountain on the northern bank of the Yuan River, east of the county town. Its exact time of construction is unknown. An inscription on the stele commemorating the reconstruction of Longyin Pagoda in the 29th year of the Daoguang reign (1849) states: “The surplus funds from building Longyin Pagoda were used to renovate Luming Pagoda into a seven-tiered structure.” The 1871 “Yuanling County Annals” of the Qing Dynasty record: “Luming Pagoda, seven-tiered, with the upper half in ruins, has been repeatedly built and collapsed.”

In 2019, the Chenzhou Three Pagodas were approved as part of the tenth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units in Hunan Province.

Yuanling Town: Yuanling Town borders Liangshuijing Town to the east, Maxipu Town to the south, Taichang Township to the west, and Eryou Township to the north. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the entire county. The area has a mid-subtropical monsoon humid climate, characterized by distinct seasons, abundant heat, concentrated rainfall, short cold periods, and long hot seasons. The town is rich in mineral resources, including gold, copper, iron, and others. It is home to over 10 ethnic groups, such as Han, Manchu, Hui, and Miao. The town currently has a population of 135,000, covers an area of 218.04 square kilometers, and governs 25 village (residential) committees, including 15 community residential committees... More detailed information about Yuanling Town++

Further Reading:

· Tenth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Hunan Province