Brick Pagoda of Shengsheng Temple at Xiangkou Lane

Brick Pagoda of Shengsheng Temple at Xiangkou Lane

The Brick Pagoda of Shengsheng Temple at Xiangkou Lane is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Shengsheng Temple Pagoda (Third Batch Provincial-Level Protected Site)

Era: Song Dynasty

Location: West side of Xiangkou Village, Chengguan Town, Ruicheng County

The Shengsheng Temple Relic Pagoda is located at No. 29, Sheli East Street, Ruicheng County. It was built in the eighth year of the Xining era during the Northern Song Dynasty (1075), and was renovated in subsequent dynasties including the Ming and Qing. Commonly known as the "Pagoda Temple," the "Morning Bell of the Pagoda Temple" was listed as one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Ruicheng." During the Anti-Japanese War, the temple was destroyed by the Japanese invaders, leaving only the Song Dynasty pagoda standing. On January 12, 1996, the People's Government of Shanxi Province designated the Shengsheng Temple Relic Pagoda as a Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and on May 2013, it was announced by the State Council as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The pagoda is designed in the style of a wooden pavilion-style brick structure, with an octagonal floor plan, thirteen stories, and a height of 46 meters. The main entrance faces south. Each upper level features false doors on all four sides. The pagoda body is slender and graceful, tapering upwards with each level, forming a conical silhouette. The eaves of the first three levels are constructed with brick brackets, fully imitating wooden architectural styles. From the fourth level upward, the eaves are cantilevered using layers of corbelled bricks, preserving the overhanging eave style of Tang Dynasty pagodas. The top of the pagoda is crowned with an iron finial.

The interior of the pagoda is a hollow cylindrical structure, originally equipped with wooden flooring that allowed climbing via wooden stairs. The wooden stairs were burned by bandits in the early years of the Republic of China and were restored in 2011. Inside the pagoda, there are surviving murals from the Song Dynasty depicting Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and patrons. The figures have delicate facial features, with bold and smooth lines, clearly reflecting the painting style of the Song Dynasty. Additionally, there is an important stone inscription titled “Stele Inscription of Monk Run,” which documents the historical development of the pagoda and temple. This stele is currently housed in the county museum.

In May 2013, the Brick Pagoda of Shengsheng Temple at Xiangkou Lane was designated as part of the Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units