Bao Ning Temple Pagoda

Bao Ning Temple Pagoda

Bao Ning Temple Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Bao Ning Temple Pagoda (Fifth Batch of Provincial Protected Sites)

Era: Song Dynasty

Location: Beijie Village, Dongzhen Town, Wenxi County, Yuncheng City

Bao Ning Temple was originally named Tangxing Temple. It was built in the sixth year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (718), renamed to its current name after being renovated in the second year of the Zhiping era of the Song Dynasty (1065), and was renovated again in the third year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (1725). The temple no longer exists, and only one Song Dynasty brick pagoda remains. The pagoda faces south and is built on a square brick base, which is 6.27 meters wide and 6.20 meters high, covering an area of 39.3 square meters. The pagoda is an octagonal, six-story, pavilion-style brick structure, with a remaining height of approximately 20 meters. The first level features brick carvings of corner brackets and interstitial bracket sets that imitate wooden architectural elements, both designed in the same style — a five-tiered double-hanging system, with the corner brackets including 45-degree angled cantilevers. The levels above have been damaged and are now flat. At the top, there is a platform, beneath which remnants of inscriptions can be found. One inscription reads: “In the Song Dynasty, the monk Foyin resided here, and the military governor once visited.” Another corner niche contains a damaged statue of a deity, with partial inscriptions remaining.

As a rare example of Song Dynasty brick and stone architecture preserved in Wenxi County, Bao Ning Temple Pagoda holds significant historical research value. It has retained much of its original appearance from the time of its construction, demonstrating good authenticity.

Source: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Dongzhen Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Wenxi County. Established as a township in 1956, converted to Dongzhen Commune in 1958, and designated as a town in 1984. Located in the central-northern part of the county, in the Sushui River valley, it is 12 kilometers from the county seat. Covering an area of 75.3 square kilometers with a population of 41,000, it is traversed by the Datong–Puzhou Railway, the Taiyuan–Fenglingdu and Datong–Yuncheng highways, as well as the Wenxi–Jiyuan and Nanyuan–Beiyuan roads. The town administers Dongzhen, Suyang, Donglu, Peicun, Guanzhuang, Xincun, Cangdi, Yingli, Xiabai, Dongbai, Dangjiazhuang, Xiganqing, Xigou, Dongganqing, Sanjiao, Dongyao, Zhongzhuang… More details about Dongzhen Town ++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Relics Protection Units of Shanxi Province