Spring Outing Memoir | Hebei Dingzhou Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda The ancient pagodas of China

| Hebei Dingzhou Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda The ancient pagodas of China. The Dingzhou Pagoda, located in Dingzhou City, is adjacent to the Dingzhou Museum. During the Song Dynasty, it was used for defense against the Khitan by utilizing the pagoda to observe enemy movements, also known as the 'Enemy-Watching Pagoda'. Since the pagoda was built within the Kaiyuan Temple, it is commonly referred to as the 'Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda'. It was initially constructed in the fourth year of Xianping during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty (1001), when Emperor Zhenzong decreed the building of the temple and the pagoda to enshrine the Buddhist scriptures and relics brought back from ancient India by monks of the Kaiyuan Temple. It was completed in the second year of Zhihe during the Northern Song Dynasty (1055), taking over fifty years to build. The Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda stands 83.7 meters tall, with an octagonal pavilion-style architecture, dignified and imposing in appearance. The pagoda has eleven levels, each proportionally tapering from bottom to top. The structure of the pagoda consists of an outer shell encircling an inner core, with stairs spiraling up through the core to reach the levels of the pagoda. Inside, a large number of Song Dynasty murals and artworks are preserved. After experiencing more than ten earthquakes, lightning strikes, and other natural disasters, it still stands firm to this day, a marvel of ancient architecture. It is also the tallest ancient brick pagoda still existing in our country. It was restored in 1988. What is seen today is the pagoda after restoration. Sixty climbing spots are open to the public every day. The Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda at night is even more splendid under the illumination of lights. 🎫Ticket: 10 yuan, 30 yuan for climbing the pagoda. 📍Address: Inside Kaiyuan Temple, east side of the South City Gate, Dingzhou City, Hebei Province