Donghuachi Brick Pagoda

　　The Donghuachi Brick Pagoda is situated on the mountainside of the ancient town of Donghuachi in Linzhen Township, Linzhen County. Constructed in the second year of the Yuanyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1089 AD), the entire pagoda is exquisitely built, grand, and magnificent, and is a national-level cultural relic protection unit. Integrated with the site of the headquarters of the 7th Branch of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University at its base, it is hailed as the “Little Yan’an of Longdong.”

　　The Donghuachi Pagoda is located on Bao Ta Shan (Pagoda Mountain) at the confluence of Dafengchuan and Hulu River in Donghuachi Village, Linzhen Township, Huachi County, Qingyang City, Gansu Province. It was first built in the second year of the Yuanyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1099 AD).

　　The pagoda has an octagonal floor plan, with each side of the base measuring 3.29 meters. It has no base platform and a total height of 26 meters. The first level of the pagoda is relatively tall, with plain, undecorated sides except for a single arched doorway on the northeast face. The door is 1.87 meters high, 1.04 meters wide, and 2.88 meters deep. The upper levels gradually taper inward, and from the second to the seventh level, each side is divided into three sections by octagonal brick pillars. Each section features alternating real and false doors and windows arranged in a staggered pattern. The pagoda eaves are supported by dougong brackets with double ang (arms) in the fifth rank, creating layered eaves. The eaves are adorned with decorative “flying rafters,” square brackets, and rows of tiles. The dou (brackets) sit on the ang beams, which intersect at the corners. Horizontal beams connect securely, while bracket arms and other components are tightly fitted. The recessed niches are richly decorated. On the first, third, and fifth levels, carved figures are placed inside the niches, including vividly shaped human figures and Buddhist statues, displaying exquisite craftsmanship. The second and fourth levels have shallow niches. The first, second, and third levels also feature carved reliefs of musicians and dancers, depicting scenes of musical performances. The interior is hollow, with stairs spiraling upward inside. Iron hooks are installed on the walls for hanging oil lamps. The first, third, and fifth levels have small windows for light and ventilation. The structure has been preserved in good condition.

　　In June 2001, the Donghuachi Pagoda, as an ancient architectural structure from the Northern Song Dynasty, was approved by the State Council to be included in the list of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites.