Han Yuan Pagoda

Han Yuan Pagoda

Han Yuan Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

Han Yuan Pagoda is located in Jinzao Town (originally 31 kilometers northwest of Miancheng in Chaoyang District, Chaozhou, east of Gangnei Village, Zhaopu Town, atop Tortoise Hill). According to the stone inscription “Record of Han Yuan Pagoda” by Zhang Mingbi, “The pagoda was first built in the seventh year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1627 AD) and completed in the twelfth year of the Chongzhen era (1639 AD).” It is a pavilion-style brick-and-stone pagoda, standing 43.4 meters tall with an 8-sided, 7-story structure and a hollow interior. The base has granite relief stone slabs embedded on each of its eight sides, carved with images of birds, beasts, flowers, plants, insects, fish, sun, moon, stars, and constellations. The inner chamber features a wall-piercing, circumambulatory structure. Visitors can enter through the west stone gate at the base and ascend to the top along a spiral stone staircase. Starting from the second floor, each level’s caisson ceiling is covered with stone slabs engraved with patterns such as two dragons playing with a pearl and two lions playing with a ball, showcasing the distinctive stone carving artistry of the Ming Dynasty. The plaque above the base entrance is inscribed with the four characters “Han Yuan Bao Ta” (Han Yuan Precious Pagoda), and flanked by a stone couplet: “Western light bathes the southern meridian, casting celestial splendor upon the walls, an auspicious sign for the boats of that year; Eastern grandeur reaches for the northern dipper, watching the beacon fires die down, bringing peace and prosperity back to the mulberry and hemp fields.” From the second floor up, each level has four gates leading to the tower’s outer corridor, though the corridor railings have now been destroyed. At the top sits a copper gourd, once struck by lightning and partially damaged. From the summit, one can overlook the Rong River. To the south of the pagoda, five well-preserved stone inscriptions are found. About 200 meters to the west lies Jing Mountain Ancient Temple.

Gangnei Village: Introduction to Gangnei Village

Gangnei Village is situated by the Rong River and was established around the year 1260. It currently has 2 natural villages, 4 villager groups, a total of 562 households, and a population of 2,592. The village Party branch has 2 Party groups with a total of 28 Party members, all of whom are full members, and the village (Party) committee consists of 6 members. The village has 615 acres of arable land. Local attractions include the Han Yuan Pagoda and Jing Mountain Ancient Temple.

In recent years, the village Party branch and committee have guided villagers to vigorously develop green agriculture, mainly producing rice, bananas, and more… More detailed information about Gangnei Village ++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Guangdong Province