Hongji Temple Brick Pagoda

Hongji Temple Brick Pagoda

Hongji Temple Brick Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Hongji Temple Brick Pagoda

Hongji Temple Brick Pagoda (Fourth Batch Provincial-Level Protected Site)

Era: Song Dynasty

Location: Dongruoyuan Village, Mofang Township, Dai County

Originally built in the early years of the Renshou era of the Sui Dynasty (600 AD), it underwent major renovations in the fifth year of the Qiande era of the Song Dynasty (967 AD), and was also repaired during the Zhenglong era of the Jin Dynasty, the Yanxing era of the Yuan Dynasty, and the Tianshun era of the Ming Dynasty.

The pagoda consists of three parts: the base, the body, and the top, with a total height of 4 meters. The base is hexagonal in plan, supported by brick-carved columns. The body is constructed from polished bricks, forming a hexagonal prism, with each face intricately carved with windows in varying designs. The middle section of the top is a regular tetrahedron, adorned with highly stylized bird and sun motifs featuring sharp beaks, round eyes, and open mouths—an extremely rare design.

Shangmofang Township: Shangmofang Township is located 7 kilometers east of Dai County’s county seat, on the northern bank of the Hutuo River. It borders Zhaolin Town to the east, Shangguan Town to the west, connects with the mountainous area of Shanyin County to the north, and faces Huyu Township across the river to the south. The Beijing-Yuanping Railway and National Highway 108 run along the northern edge of the township, providing very convenient transportation. The township currently has 34 natural villages and a population of 11,045. It has relatively good agricultural infrastructure and rapid rural economic development.

II. Administrative Divisions and Historical Evolution:

In the early years after liberation, Shangmofang Township was under the jurisdiction of the Second District of Dai County. In 1953, it was designated as Shangmofang Township, came under the administration of Daicheng Commune in 1958, and became Shangmofang Commune in 1961. … Detailed information about Shangmofang Township++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relics Protection Units in Shanxi Province