Tengzhou Longquan Pagoda

　　On the eastern outskirts of Tengzhou, on the west bank of the Jing River, stands a towering ancient pagoda. When the setting sun casts its golden rays, shimmering ripples on the water blend with the pagoda’s reflection and the distant mountains in a breathtakingly beautiful scene, which the ancients poetically named "Lofty Pagoda Silhouette" (also called "Floating Pagoda Stands Like Jade"). It is one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Ancient Tengzhou.

　　Commonly known as the Longquan Pagoda, this ancient structure was originally a Buddhist pagoda of the Longquan Temple. The temple was grand in scale, with its yellow walls and dark-tiled roofs, along with verdant pines and solemn halls, visible from afar. Inside, the main hall was majestic, flanked by orderly side halls. The Buddha statues enshrined within were vividly lifelike, while the stele room housed a rich collection of ancient stone tablets, elegant and rustic in style. By the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era, most of the temple's grand architectural complex had collapsed or fallen into disrepair, leaving only this pagoda. Though the once magnificent Longquan Monastery has become history, the Longquan Pagoda still stands firmly against the test of time. As for the naming of the pagoda, historical records state: "There was also a large spring whose waters often flooded nearby residences, so the pagoda was built to subdue it — hence the name 'Longquan' (Dragon Spring) presumably originates from this." The origin of the pagoda’s name may be related to water.

　　When was the Longquan Pagoda built? Due to the long passage of time and loss of records, there is still no definitive conclusion. The 1821 *Teng County Annals* (Qing Dynasty) contains a poem titled "Floating Pagoda Stands Like Jade": Long revered with inscriptions since Wei Zhao’s day, It stands firm by Longquan, anchoring folk in its sway. Emerald peaks embrace its grace, a scenic blend, While its seven-tiered shadow casts a pristine trend. Reaching the clouds, it seems to grasp them tight, Bathing in sunlight, it shares the dawn’s delight. Wind chimes tinkle sweetly as they sway, Cleansing vulgar ears from worldly play. From this, it is inferred that the Longquan Pagoda might have been constructed after the county seat was moved eastward during the Tang Dynasty’s Yuanhe era, about 1,200 years ago.

　　For thousands of years, the Longquan Pagoda has endured wind and rain erosion, and even withstood the massive earthquake during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, yet it still stands tall. This is attributed not only to the high quality of its original construction but also to continuous maintenance over the years.

　　In March 1938, during the Teng County Defense Battle — the prelude to the famous Battle of Taierzhuang — the Japanese army bombarded the city of Tengxian relentlessly. The ancient pagoda suffered severe war damage: its finial collapsed, eaves and brackets fell off, and the body of the pagoda was left riddled with holes and scars. The Tengxian County Party Committee and County Government allocated special funds for comprehensive repairs. Official restoration work began on July 10, 1984, which involved clearing the collapsed top chamber, rebuilding the ninth level of the pagoda wall and arched gateways, and pouring concrete to reinforce the pagoda top. An eight-petal metal lotus pedestal and a gourd-shaped finial were installed, along with a lightning protection system. Grooves were carved above the eaves on each level, where reinforced concrete ring beams were embedded and then covered with blue bricks, reinforcing the Sumeru pedestal below the midsection. After more than five months of effort, the restoration was completed on December 25. The renovated Longquan Pagoda now stands even more majestic and solemn, taking on a renewed presence along the banks of the Jing River.