Xinhua North Pagoda

　　The North Pagoda is situated 2 kilometers north of the county on the banks of the Zi River. It was built in the 14th year of the Daoguang reign (1834) during the Qing Dynasty and was one of the eight scenic wonders outside the old county town. Towering and majestic, it stands as a prominent landmark and was historically known as the “Key to the North Gate.”

　　According to the Xinhua County Annals from the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, the southwestern part of the county seat is high while the northeastern part is low, so it was proposed to build a pavilion to stabilize the land. Initially, a wooden pavilion was constructed but eventually collapsed. Plans to build a stone pagoda ensued, but due to the low-lying, sandy terrain, the project was repeatedly delayed. In the 11th year of the Jiaqing reign (1806), excavation began to a depth of 3.6 zhang, but due to lack of funding, work was suspended twice. The pagoda was finally completed in the autumn of the 14th year of the Daoguang reign, taking a total of 20 years to build. Its structure consists of blue bricks and stone materials. According to inscriptions: “The pagoda foundation is sealed with 24 layers of grout-filled joints, with gold embedded in the center and pearls and jade inlaid around.” The pagoda stands 42 meters tall, has an octagonal shape, and features stone boats on each corner resembling upturned eaves, covered with iron tiles and topped with a bronze spire. The main gate of the pagoda is inscribed with the words “Key to the North Gate,” and the side couplet reads: “Eager to lean on the railing and gaze into the distance, I climb the steps straight to this towering tower.” Inside the pagoda, there is a spiral brick staircase leading directly to the top, totaling 492 steps. The seven levels inside the pagoda feature murals, calligraphy, and stone engravings of donor surnames. From the windows, one can see the distant green mountains, the emerald Zi River below, and the ancient scenery of Meicheng all in one sweeping view. Throughout history, many renowned individuals have visited and composed poems here. Ming Dynasty official Hu Youheng wrote a poem upon reaching the top of the North Pagoda: “The river flows to emptiness, a single pagoda restrains its rush. Its presence guards the north of the county, its might dominates the east of the Zi. Looking up, I doubt the sun has set; a long howl connects me to the heavens. I intend to explore further wonders, gazing southwest toward lofty peaks.” Its craftsmanship is exquisite. Despite more than a century and a half of wind and rain, it still stands firmly today.

　　The North Pagoda is exquisitely built and is a famous pagoda in central Hunan. Standing 44 meters tall, it is constructed from stone and blue bricks in an octagonal shape, with stone boats on the corners—some ending in dragon heads, others in fish tails—resembling upturned eaves. It is topped with iron tiles and a cast metal finial. The base is fully paved with massive stones, with mortar-filled joints stacked layer upon layer without gaps or soil, making it solid as a rock. The stone railings are inlaid with carvings of the Eighteen Scholars of the Tang Dynasty, lifelike and vivid. The first level has a spacious hall that can accommodate eight dining tables, standing 10 meters tall, with a roof resembling an inverted large wok and sharp corners on all sides. On both the left and right sides, spiral corridors ascend, and starting from the third level, the height and width gradually decrease while the craftsmanship becomes increasingly refined. Each level has windows at waist height along the corridors, offering views of the surroundings. By the time you reach the seventh and highest level, looking north, a thousand miles stretch out before your eyes with towering mountains; looking east, rows of high-rises and chimneys fill the view; looking south, Mount Wei rises prominently, with a rainbow-like bridge, the grand county town, and picturesque farmland; and looking down, the Zi River appears like a silk ribbon with boats coming and going. Each level of the pagoda houses stone beds where one can sit, lie down, write poetry, or paint. Beyond the seventh level, a small room opens to the south through a narrow corridor, even more ingeniously designed, with stone benches arranged throughout, windows facing Mount Wei, and stone walls covered with interconnected poetry and paintings. Sitting on the stone bench, one can take in the full beauty of Xinhua—the city towers, homes, and the glowing lights of thousands of households—a truly enchanting sight.

　　After the liberation, due to the closure of the Zhexi Reservoir and the rising water level of the Zi River, the water reached the base of the pagoda. In 1979, funds were allocated by higher authorities to construct a protective embankment along the Zi River. The embankment is 10 meters high, 10 meters wide, and 1,500 meters long, and is designed to protect the pagoda’s foundation from being submerged even during major floods that occur once every 20 years.

　　In 1981, the county government designated the North Pagoda as a key cultural relic protection unit.