This ancient pagoda with its unique design, which has stood for a millennium, has been praised by Liang Sicheng as a unique example within China

After all, although the four pagodas of Zhengding each have their own merits, if you were to ask which one is particularly memorable and eye-catching, it would definitely be the Hua Pagoda of Guanghui Temple. Even Liang Sicheng himself noted in 'A Record of the Survey of Ancient Buildings in Zhengding' that 'from the perspective of its design, this Hua Pagoda may well be a unique example within China. Both its plan and exterior are equally peculiar.' During this City Walk in Zhengding, by the time we reached Guanghui Temple, dusk had already fallen. Through the red walls outside the temple, one could only see the top of the ancient pagoda bathed in the twilight of the setting sun, true to its name. The Hua Pagoda, also known as the Flower Pagoda, blooms like a bouquet, radiating a magnificent form and golden light. The Flower Pagoda is one of the classic designs of Buddhist pagodas in our country, first appearing in the Tang Dynasty and becoming popular during the Song, Liao, and Jin periods. Today, the remaining Flower Pagodas are mostly located in the northern regions of China, and they are quite rare. The Hua Pagoda of Guanghui Temple in Zhengding, with its lavish and richly decorated facade, is recognized as a typical representative of similar structures in China. Upon entering Guanghui Temple, the entire Hua Pagoda is fully revealed. It turns out that the Flower Pagoda seen from outside the wall is just the very top layer of the pagoda. In fact, the whole Hua Pagoda has four levels, an octagonal brick-carved pagoda imitating a wooden pavilion style, consisting of the main pagoda and attached smaller pagodas. The whole is constructed with blue-gray grooved bricks and yellow earth, giving it a slightly odd appearance, somewhat reminiscent of the Vajra Throne Pagoda we saw before. From historical inscriptions, we know that the Hua Pagoda of Guanghui Temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan era, with the existing main pagoda body rebuilt during the Jin Dynasty's Dading period (1161-1189). However, some scholars believe that the first and second levels of the pagoda are remnants of the Song Dynasty. The first level of the Hua Pagoda's main body is octagonal, with doors on the four main sides and a brick-built flat base on the eaves. At each corner, there is a hexagonal pavilion-like single-layered small pagoda that encircles the first and second levels of the main pagoda, creating a staggered height and a sense of primary and secondary dependency. The second level has a door on the front side, with Buddha niches on the other sides. The third level sits on a wide base, and because there are no surrounding galleries, it suddenly narrows. The fourth level of the Hua Pagoda is where the essence of the pagoda lies, and it is also the first glimpse of the pagoda seen from outside the wall. The body of the pagoda is conical, with relief sculptures all around. The layout follows an octagonal pattern with figures such as warriors, sea creatures, lions, elephants, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas vividly sculpted and orderly arranged, resembling a colorful miniature sculpture art palace. Above this is the top level of the pagoda, with a high-rising octagonal blue tile roof, crowned with an upturned lotus and a jewel at the very top. As one of the main structures of Guanghui Temple, there should have originally been a Hall of Heavenly Kings and a front hall in front of the Hua Pagoda, and a rear hall behind it, but now the other buildings of the temple have been destroyed, leaving only the Hua Pagoda standing alone. It is said that there is a pagoda heart chamber on the third level, with two stone-carved Shakyamuni Buddha statues in front of the north wall, and an inscription on the Buddha base indicating that the statues were made for Emperor Taizong's birthday in the second year of the Zhenguan era. Unfortunately, the pagoda heart is no longer open to the public. Of course, if you're just here for photography, you don't actually need to buy a ticket to enter; the area outside the red wall is the standard spot for checking in, constantly occupied by various internet celebrities. Climbing up the Zhengding South City Wall also allows for a complete view of the Hua Pagoda, especially when it's lit up at night, it's even more beautiful. 🏠Name | Guanghui Temple Hua Pagoda 🎫Ticket | 15 yuan ⛳Address | No.1 Guanghui Road, Zhengding County, Shijiazhuang City 🚗Transportation | Navigate to 'Guanghui Temple Hua Pagoda'