Octagonal Pavilion Pagoda

Octagonal Pavilion Pagoda

The Octagonal Pavilion Pagoda is a cultural tourism attraction.

Guide

The Octagonal Pavilion Pagoda consists of a main tower and several smaller attached towers, all constructed from brick. At the base of the main tower, four small hexagonal pavilion-like towers are attached at the corners, encircling the main tower in varying heights, complementing each other in a delicate and splendid ensemble that is both majestic and graceful. | Highlights

The main tower is a pavilion-style structure, standing 31.5 meters tall in total and divided into four levels. Each level features ornate brick imitation wooden brackets under the eaves. Levels one to three have octagonal floor plans; the central part of the first level is built with brick brackets, and there is an arched doorway on the north side. The second and third levels both have balconies. In addition to arched doorways on the main facades, the sides are decorated with false lattice windows and square niches housing Buddha statues. The third level has a particularly large balcony, while the body of the tower noticeably narrows. At the corners above the eaves are carved figures of muscular deities supporting the fourth level. The fourth level has a roughly circular floor plan, resembling a cone in appearance. This forms the main and most exquisite part of the pagoda, accounting for about one-third of its total height. Inside the conical section, the inner eaves house a chamber with two stone Buddha statues, while the outer eaves feature colorful clay sculptures arranged around eight vertical axes. These include Buddhas, deities, animals, lions, elephants, as well as pavilions and towers, covering a wide range of themes, with novel compositions, orderly arrangements, and exquisite craftsmanship. The animal figures, in particular, are remarkably lifelike — fierce lions, sturdy elephants, and frogs poised to leap are all vividly portrayed. The entire fourth level resembles a collection of sculptural artworks, dazzling in color and brilliance. The upper part of this level is adorned with arched brackets and eave tiles made of brick, topped with an octagonal pavilion-style eave, and crowned with an octagonal spire. The first to third levels of the tower body contain staircases. During hot summer months, visitors ascending to the third-level balcony will feel a refreshing breeze. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited twice, worshipping and enjoying the view from the pagoda, and even composed poems and inscriptions inspired by the experience. Guanghui Temple is also known as the Octagonal Pavilion Pagoda Temple due to this iconic structure. According to the Zhengding County Annals from the first year of the Guangxu reign, the temple was built during the Zhenyuan era of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty (785–805 AD) and underwent renovations in the mid-Ming Dynasty. By the late Qing Dynasty, the temple had fallen into disrepair, leaving only the pagoda standing. Based on the pagoda’s architectural style and an inscription dated to the sixth year of the Zhenglong era (1161 AD) found on the interior wall of the first level, it is believed to date back to the Liao or Jin Dynasty. The Octagonal Pavilion Pagoda of Guanghui Temple, with its upper section adorned with grand colorful clay reliefs, boasts a primitive yet majestic, magnificent and lively design. It is not only the most elegant representation of octagonal pavilion pagodas in China, but also the most uniquely shaped and richly decorated brick pagoda in the country. It is no exaggeration to say that the Octagonal Pavilion Pagoda is a unique and priceless treasure of China. | Introduction

The Octagonal Pavilion Pagoda of Guanghui Temple, also known as the Pagoda of Precious Treasures, was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council in 1961.

Hebei, Shijiazhuang