Zhengxiang Pagoda

Zhengxiang Pagoda

Zhengxiang Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

The Tang–Song Dynasty Longchuan Zhengxiang Pagoda is situated on a small hill in Taxi Village, Tuocheng Town, Longchuan County. Locals refer to it as the "Old Pagoda." Since the ancient temple beneath it is called Zhengxiang Temple, the pagoda takes its name from the temple. In the 53rd year of the Kangxi reign (1714) during the Qing Dynasty, a local man named Xu Chen happened to find a fallen brick from the pagoda with the inscription "Kaiyuan Third Year" engraved on it, leading to its alternate name, the "Kaiyuan Pagoda." Legend has it that the pagoda was built overnight by immortals, which is why it is also known as the "Immortal Pagoda." Based on the brick inscriptions, the pagoda was originally constructed in the third year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (715 AD). This hexagonal, seven-story pavilion-style brick pagoda stands 32 meters tall. Its internal staircase is of the wall-embedded, step-up type. Each level features brick-carved elements such as engaged columns, corner posts, architraves, and bracket sets. The eaves and balconies are formed with alternating denticulated bricks and string-course bricks. The entire pagoda is constructed with blue bricks and bonded with yellow clay mortar. The tapering design is not very pronounced on each level. Restoration work was carried out in 1959, 1980, and 1985.

In July 1962, the People’s Committee of Guangdong Province designated it as a cultural relic protection unit.

Taxi Village: Taxi Village…… More details about Taxi Village++

Further reading:

· First Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units