Beijing Tianning Temple Pagoda

　　The Beijing Tianning Temple Sarira Pagoda is an octagonal, thirteen-story, dense-eave solid brick pagoda, standing 57.8 meters tall in total. The brick pagoda is built atop a massive square platform. On top of the large platform is a two-tiered octagonal platform base, and above that is a lotus pedestal adorned with carvings of lotuses, lion heads, Buddhas, and guardian deities. Above the lotus pedestal is a grand tower gate level, and above the tower gate level are the thirteen stories of dense eaves. Pagodas typically have “seven levels,” so thirteen is the highest rank, usually granted only by royal decree. In the past, each level of the Tianning Temple Pagoda also hung bronze temple bells that chimed melodiously in the wind, their sound echoing for miles, though by the Qing Dynasty most of these bells had fallen. In January 1988, the Tianning Temple Pagoda was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

　　Tianning Temple Pagoda

　　The Tianning Temple Pagoda is the oldest extant above-ground structure in Beijing’s urban area. According to the renowned architect Liang Sicheng, the pagoda was built in the ninth year of the Dàkāng era of the Liao Dynasty (1083 AD). Standing 57.8 meters tall, the Tianning Temple Pagoda is an octagonal, thirteen-story, dense-eave solid brick pagoda. Its overall structure from bottom to top includes: base, terrace, upturned lotus pedestal, main body of the pagoda, thirteen tiers of eaves, pagoda top, finial jewel, and spire. The base is octagonal and consists of two levels. The lower base is divided into six arched niches by short columns, each housing a carved lion head. The upper base is slightly narrower, with five arched niches on each side, containing relief carvings of seated Buddhas, with Vajra guardians sculpted at the corners of both levels. The upturned lotus pedestal has three tiers supporting the main body of the pagoda. The main body features semicircular arched doorways on four sides, flanked by carvings of Vajra guardians, bodhisattvas, and dragons—lifelike and vivid. The thirteen layers of eaves gradually taper, creating a rich and powerful layered silhouette. The entire pagoda is gracefully tall and majestic, reflecting the exceptional architectural artistry of the Liao Dynasty.

　　The pagoda is a dense-eave brick structure, octagonal in plan, and stands 57.8 meters tall in total, with a square platform base. The bottom consists of a Sumeru pedestal, and within the ribbed section of the pedestal are ? (possibly decorative elements), with small beast heads. The upper part is slightly inset, with five arched niches per side containing relief carvings of seated Buddhas, and the corners feature carvings of Vajra guardians. The upturned lotus pedestal has three tiers supporting the main body of the pagoda. The main body has arched doorways on its four frontal sides, with brick carvings of heavenly kings beside the doors. The other sides have straight lattice windows, with brick carvings of bodhisattvas beside them—lifelike and considered masterpieces of Liao Dynasty sculpture. The pagoda eaves feature overlapping flying eaves, layering down to form rich curves and angles. The entire pagoda’s stonework reflects the thickness and layering characteristic of Liao Dynasty architectural artistry. The pagoda also preserves remnants of the wooden structure that once supported the multiple tiers, and the brick material and construction techniques display both the grandeur of Liao Dynasty architecture and regional stylistic traits, making it an important object of study for ancient Chinese architecture. It also serves as key evidence for researching the historical geographic location of what is now Beijing.

　　The pagoda had suffered severe damage over time due to neglect and natural disasters. In July 1976, the Tangshan earthquake affected Beijing, causing serious harm to the top of the pagoda—the spire collapsed, the internal structure was exposed, and some brick carvings were also damaged by the quake.

The Beijing Tianning Temple Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Tianning Temple Pagoda