Zhengding Kaiyuan Temple

Zhengding Kaiyuan Temple

Zhengding Kaiyuan Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Bell Tower and Sumeru Pagoda of Kaiyuan Temple Kaiyuan Temple is located on the west side of Changsheng Street in Zhengding. Originally named Jingguan Temple, it was first built in the second year of the Xinghe era during the Eastern Wei Dynasty (540), and was renamed Jiehui Temple in the tenth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (591). In the 26th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (738), it was decreed to be renamed to its current name. By the late Qing Dynasty, due to years of neglect and disrepair, the temple complex fell into ruin, with halls collapsed, leaving only the Bell Tower and Sumeru Pagoda.

The Bell Tower is a two-story, brick-and-wood structure in the pavilion style, with a square floor plan. It is three bays wide and three bays deep, covering a construction area of 135 square meters. With a single-eave hipped-gable roof covered in green tiles, the tower has an overall height of 14 meters. Its major wooden structures, column grid, and brackets all showcase the architectural artistry of the Tang Dynasty. In fact, a significant portion of the upper wooden components still retains their original Tang Dynasty form. This is the earliest surviving wooden bell tower in the province, as well as one of the earlier ones in North China. In 1988, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and underwent dismantling and restoration. A bronze bell hangs in the tower, measuring 2.9 meters in height, 1.56 meters in diameter, and 15 centimeters in thickness. It features an ancient design and is a relic from the Tang Dynasty.

The Sumeru Pagoda, commonly known as the Brick Pagoda or Square Pagoda, is located to the west of the Bell Tower. The pagoda is built atop a square brick base about 1.5 meters high. The pagoda itself has a square floor plan, with nine tiers of dense eaves, reaching a total height of 39.5 meters. The first tier of the pagoda is relatively tall, with a stone retaining wall around the base, each side adorned with bold and powerful carved statues of guardian figures at both ends. The upper part of the stone waistline is entirely constructed from blue bricks. The front features a stone arched gate, with floral and vase motifs carved into the door frame, and a relief of two dragons playing with a pearl above the lintel. At the top of the lintel is an embedded rectangular stone plaque inscribed with four regular script characters reading “Sumeru Soars Aloft.” Each tier features projecting eaves made of stacked bricks, with wind bells hanging at the four corners. Starting from the second tier, the width of the pagoda gradually tapers inward, giving it a graceful, upright, and simple appearance reminiscent of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda of the Tang Dynasty in Xi’an. It is a prime example of a stacked-eaves pagoda.

The interior of the pagoda originally had a wooden, eight-ribbed caisson ceiling on the upper part of the second tier, but unfortunately, it has been destroyed. Now, the pagoda has a hollow, cylindrical interior with vertical walls extending from top to bottom. The eight tiers above the second tier each have a small square window, but there are no stairways for climbing.

The finial base, inverted lotus, and dome are all constructed from brick. Around them are copper mirrors that shine brilliantly. Above these is a metal spire shaft and a precious jewel. There are as many as four jewels, adding to the pagoda's striking upright presence. Regarding the construction period of the Sumeru Pagoda, local historical records are vague and not entirely reliable. Based on the surviving structure and historical accounts, it is inferred that the pagoda was likely first built in the 10th year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (636 AD), and rebuilt in the 5th year of the Qianning era (898 AD). Although it has undergone repairs in subsequent dynasties, it still retains the architectural characteristics of the Tang Dynasty.

The Sumeru Pagoda is one of the “Four Pagodas” of the ancient city of Zhengding and a precious heritage in China’s architectural treasury. It was listed as a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1956, and as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 2006.

A Millennium Giant ???/p>

In June 2000, a massive ??? was unearthed on Fuqian Street in the city of Zhengding. It measures 4 meters in length, 3.2 meters in width, 2.6 meters in height, and weighs 107 tons. Experts have preliminarily identified it as a relic from the Later Tang Dynasty, dating back approximately 1,200 years. It represents a significant discovery for studying the history of the Later Tang to the Five Dynasties period, with extremely high cultural value. It is a rare artistic treasure in China and can be called the finest of its kind in the world. It has now been moved to Kaiyuan Temple for visitors to view.