Hefeng Pagoda in Hejin Town

Hefeng Pagoda in Hejin Town

Hefeng Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Hefeng Pagoda

Hefeng Pagoda (Third Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites)

Era: Ming Dynasty

Location: 100 meters northwest of Kangjiazhuang Village, Qingjian Town, Hejin City

The construction date is unknown. It was rebuilt during the Song Dynasty and renovated in the 11th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1583) by villagers such as Lü Zigong. The pagoda has a square solid brick structure, with thirteen tiers of closely stacked eaves, standing 27 meters tall. It is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, with a clear taper. The first to third tiers feature wood-like decorative eaves, adorned with rafter ends and bracket sets, while the tiers above the fourth use interlocking brickwork for the eaves. The lower tier is 6 meters high with a side length of 4.6 meters and a perimeter of 18.4 meters. An arched doorway, 2.3 meters high, is located on the northern side. Small windows are found on the northern and southern sides of the upper tiers. The pagoda is topped with an iron finial in the shape of a bottle, cast with a phoenix facing west at the head and east at the tail.

A stone stele inscribed with “Reconstructed in the 11th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty under the management of villager Lü Zigong and others” remains extant.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Shanxi Province