Pagoda in Locust Tree Cave

Pagoda in Locust Tree Cave

The Pagoda in Locust Tree Cave is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

The Zhi Shui Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda in Locust Tree Cave, is located within the Locust Tree Cave Scenic Area in Nanshuangmiao Township, Chaoyang County, Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province. It is a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit. Built during the Liao Dynasty, the pagoda is constructed from stacked stone slabs, features an octagonal shape, is hollow, and has three tiers of eaves. Its current height is 2.6 meters. Due to long-term neglect, weathering, and erosion, the pagoda structure is incomplete, and its carvings have become blurred and unclear. The base of the pagoda is built on rock and consists of two layers of stacked stone slabs, forming an octagon with each side measuring 90 centimeters. Each face is carved with a niche door, both inside and outside of which feature relief sculptures of figures and animals. Above the base is a single-layer inverted lotus pedestal, with four petals on each face and scroll cloud patterns carved on the sides. Above that is the first section of the pagoda body, which is octagonal and formed by standing eight stone slabs together. It is hollow, with each face featuring a niche door. The relief carvings include two types of designs: lotus vases and beast-faced flame patterns. Above this is the first tier of eaves, which uses a corbelled bracket style, with decorative patterns carved along the eave edges. Further up, an inverted lotus pedestal supports the second section of the pagoda body, also made of eight standing stone slabs, hollow, with each face containing a niche housing a carved beast head. Above that is the third section of the pagoda body, which is also hollow, with each face featuring relief carvings of two musical performers. These include figures playing the sheng (mouth organ), flute, and xiao (vertical flute), as well as those playing the pipa (lute), waist drum, cymbals, and square bells, plus dancers—showcasing a total of eight different poses. The carvings are exquisitely detailed and remarkably lifelike. It is said that only eleven pagodas of this particular Liao Dynasty design exist nationwide, and this is the only one in Northeast China, making it extremely rare and valuable. The pagoda was listed as part of the ninth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units in Liaoning Province in October 2014.