Guiping East Pagoda

　　The East Pagoda, also known as the Deer Peak Pagoda or Desheng Pagoda, is located atop Deer Peak. It was first built during the Zhiping era of the Song Dynasty by Sun Qi, a successful imperial examination candidate who served as the supervisor of Guiyang, but later collapsed. It was rebuilt in the 10th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1531) and completed in the 1st year of the Wanli reign (1573).

　　The pagoda is constructed of brick and stone, has seven levels and eight sides, and stands 30.18 meters tall. The first level has a diameter of over 11 meters. The body of the pagoda is hollow, with stairs that spiral up to the top. Each side of each level features either a real or false arched doorway, and short eaves project between the levels. At the corners are embedded stone brackets resembling upturned eaves, with a bronze bell hanging from each. When the breeze blows, the bells tinkle melodiously. The top of the pagoda is adorned with a cast iron finial and a precious vase. Today, it forms part of East Pagoda Park along with attractions such as Deer Peak Temple, Deer Peak Evening Glow, Zhuoweng Rock, and the statue of Ouyang Hai. It is situated 4 kilometers east of downtown Guiping, on the banks of the Xun River, facing Binshan Temple across the river. During the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1573–1620), County Magistrate Liu Wan’an initiated its construction, completing two levels before his death. During the Chongzhen reign (1628–1644), Censor Li Zhongxiong and Prefect Ge Yuanzheng expanded it to nine levels.

　　Why did the ancients build the East Pagoda? There are three explanations. One is that because the pagoda is round at the base and pointed at the top, resembling a brush, it is referred to as the "Literary Brush." Being built by the Xun River, it symbolizes dipping the brush in the waters of the Xun River to compose splendid cultural works and poetry for Guiping. Another explanation is that Guiping is a land of bamboo rafts, with the Qian and Yu rivers encircling the city and converging to flow eastward—bamboo rafts were easily swept away by floods. The East Pagoda was erected like a pole to hold the rafts in place, preventing them from being washed away, reflecting the people’s hopeful aspirations. A third explanation is that it was meant to achieve harmony among four peaks standing together in mutual splendor. The area around Guiping is full of mountains: to the south are the White Stone Twin Peaks, to the west the Western Hills and Malian, and to the north the Zijingshan and Five-Finger Mountains. Only the east lacked a barrier or prominent peak, so the East Pagoda was built there, with its spire piercing the sky to stand in balance with the surrounding peaks.

　　Many ancient pagodas built around the same time as the East Pagoda in Guangxi have collapsed and disappeared, yet the East Pagoda has remained steadfast despite earthquakes, lightning strikes, and wind and rain erosion. What is the secret? The East Pagoda is exceptionally grand and solid. Its entire structure uses a brick-and-wood design, with foundation stones each weighing hundreds of pounds deeply laid into the bedrock, creating an extraordinarily firm base. The walls are thick and sturdy, with a base diameter of 12 meters and walls 4 meters thick. The pagoda is 50 meters tall, octagonal and hollow with a conical shape, featuring entrances and ventilation holes on each level. The central filled arches of each level are painted with silver beads, the eight corners are strung with copper wires holding wind chimes, and the spire is capped with a bronze gourd weighing over a thousand pounds to protect against lightning strikes.

　　The water and mountain scenery around the East Pagoda is naturally picturesque. In the distance, the pine-scented tea aroma drifts from the Western Hills; nearby, the Xun River resembles an emerald silk ribbon encircling the pagoda. On the opposite bank, Binshan is lush and shaded, teeming with life. But the most enchanting wonder is the “East Pagoda’s Reflected Waves,” one of the Eight Scenic Views of Xunzhou. The most remarkable aspect of this view is how it changes with the seasons and times of day. On clear winter and spring mornings, when the sun rises in the east, the pagoda’s shadow stretches across the Xun River, set against gently flowing layered waves. The pagoda, with its pointed top and round base and uniquely lit eight sides, casts slanting shadows onto the dense shade of Binshan across the river. At this time, the sunlight glows faintly red, the water shimmers silvery white, and the dense green foliage ripples in undulating patterns, naturally forming a colorful pleated skirt that gathers and disperses, floating on the river—an extraordinary spectacle. In summer, when the river swells, the upstream area of the pagoda, known as Tonggu Beach, echoes with the sounds of jagged rocks, swirling eddies, and roaring waves that reverberate for miles. The pagoda’s reflection in the Xun River is split into several sections, drifting on the water’s surface, with glimpses of the spire occasionally visible above the high waves, and the bronze gourd appearing and disappearing—more often hidden than seen—creating a uniquely strange scene. In autumn, with mild winds and sunny skies, the setting sun casts slanting light on the East Pagoda, and its reflection dances on the Xun River amid fluctuating waves, presenting ever-changing visuals. At times, the pagoda’s shadow looks like a nine-segment steel whip, broken and continuous; at other times, it resembles a curved bow, as if shooting at the moon.