The Liaodi Pagoda (Chinese: 料敌塔; pinyin: Liàodí Tǎ) of Kaiyuan Monastery, Dingzhou, Hebei Province, China is the tallest existing pre-modern Chinese pagoda and tallest brick pagoda in the world, built in the 11th century during the Song dynasty (960–1279). The pagoda stands at a height of 84 meters (276 ft), resting on a large platform with an octagonal base. Upon completion in 1055, the Liaodi Pagoda surpassed the height of China's previously tallest pagoda still standing, the central pagoda of the Three Pagodas, which stands at 69.13 m (230 ft). The tallest pagoda in pre-modern Chinese history was a 100-meter (330 ft)-tall wooden pagoda tower in Chang'an built in 611 by Emperor Yang of Sui, yet this structure no longer stands.[1] It is considered one of the Four Treasures of Hebei.[2]
Construction on this stone and brick pagoda began in the year 1001 AD during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, and was completed in 1055 AD during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song. Emperor Zhenzong intended to have Buddhistscriptures gathered by the Chinese monk Huineng from India stored at the pagoda's site. Due to its location at a strategic military location, the height of the pagoda made it useful as a watchtower,[3] which could be used to spot enemy movements coming from the northern Liao dynasty headed by the Song's Khitan rivals. Initially the pagoda was called the Kaiyuan Pagoda, but as a result of its military use it became known as the 'Liaodi' pagoda, literally meaning 'foreseeing the enemy's intentions.'[4]
A closeup of a door at the Liaodi Pagoda of Kaiyuan Temple in Dingzhou, China.
Another pagoda of similar height and design is the Chongwen Pagoda of Shaanxi Province. Completed in 1605 during the Ming dynasty, the Chongwen Pagoda stands at a height of 79 m (259 ft), making it the second tallest pagoda built in pre-modern China.[5]
Features
Each floor of the Liaodi Pagoda features gradually-tiered stone eaves, doors and windows (with false windows on four sides of the octagonal structure) while the first floor has an encircling balcony. A split section of the pagoda's walls are open so that the tower's interior may be viewed, along with the actual thickness of the walls. At the top of its steeple, the pagoda features a crowning spire made of bronze and iron. In the interior a large staircase with landings for each floor winds from the bottom all the way up to the top floor. Brick brackets are used to support the landings on each floor, while from the eighth story up there are no brackets supporting the vaulted ceiling. Within the pagoda is a large pillar in the shape of another pagoda, as seen from the inside and as viewed from the cut section. The painted murals and stone steles with Chinese calligraphy in the pagoda are dated to the Song period when the pagoda was built.
Benn, Charles (2002). China's Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-517665-0.
Cai, Yanxin (2011) [2010]. Chinese Architecture. Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press (first published by China Intercontinental Press). ISBN978-0-521-18644-5.
Steinhardt, Nancy Shatzman (1997). Liao Architecture. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
liaodi, pagoda, chinese, 料敌塔, pinyin, liàodí, kaiyuan, monastery, dingzhou, hebei, province, china, tallest, existing, modern, chinese, pagoda, tallest, brick, pagoda, world, built, 11th, century, during, song, dynasty, 1279, pagoda, stands, height, meters, re. The Liaodi Pagoda Chinese 料敌塔 pinyin Liaodi Tǎ of Kaiyuan Monastery Dingzhou Hebei Province China is the tallest existing pre modern Chinese pagoda and tallest brick pagoda in the world built in the 11th century during the Song dynasty 960 1279 The pagoda stands at a height of 84 meters 276 ft resting on a large platform with an octagonal base Upon completion in 1055 the Liaodi Pagoda surpassed the height of China s previously tallest pagoda still standing the central pagoda of the Three Pagodas which stands at 69 13 m 230 ft The tallest pagoda in pre modern Chinese history was a 100 meter 330 ft tall wooden pagoda tower in Chang an built in 611 by Emperor Yang of Sui yet this structure no longer stands 1 It is considered one of the Four Treasures of Hebei 2 Liaodi Pagoda Liaodi PagodaTraditional Chinese料敵塔Simplified Chinese料敌塔TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinLiaodi TǎWade GilesLiao4 ti2 T a3IPA lja ʊ ti tʰa Yue CantoneseYale RomanizationLiuh dihk TaapJyutpingLiu6 Dik6 Taap3IPA li ːu te k tʰa ːp Contents 1 History 2 Features 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditConstruction on this stone and brick pagoda began in the year 1001 AD during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song and was completed in 1055 AD during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song Emperor Zhenzong intended to have Buddhist scriptures gathered by the Chinese monk Huineng from India stored at the pagoda s site Due to its location at a strategic military location the height of the pagoda made it useful as a watchtower 3 which could be used to spot enemy movements coming from the northern Liao dynasty headed by the Song s Khitan rivals Initially the pagoda was called the Kaiyuan Pagoda but as a result of its military use it became known as the Liaodi pagoda literally meaning foreseeing the enemy s intentions 4 A closeup of a door at the Liaodi Pagoda of Kaiyuan Temple in Dingzhou China Another pagoda of similar height and design is the Chongwen Pagoda of Shaanxi Province Completed in 1605 during the Ming dynasty the Chongwen Pagoda stands at a height of 79 m 259 ft making it the second tallest pagoda built in pre modern China 5 Features EditEach floor of the Liaodi Pagoda features gradually tiered stone eaves doors and windows with false windows on four sides of the octagonal structure while the first floor has an encircling balcony A split section of the pagoda s walls are open so that the tower s interior may be viewed along with the actual thickness of the walls At the top of its steeple the pagoda features a crowning spire made of bronze and iron In the interior a large staircase with landings for each floor winds from the bottom all the way up to the top floor Brick brackets are used to support the landings on each floor while from the eighth story up there are no brackets supporting the vaulted ceiling Within the pagoda is a large pillar in the shape of another pagoda as seen from the inside and as viewed from the cut section The painted murals and stone steles with Chinese calligraphy in the pagoda are dated to the Song period when the pagoda was built See also EditChinese architecture Architecture of the Song dynasty History of architecture Porcelain Tower of Nanjing a now destroyed pagoda that was 260 ft tall Tianning Temple Changzhou contains China s largest pagoda albeit modern completed in 2007 Notes Edit Benn 62 华北四宝 收集攻略及周边景点介绍 马蜂窝 Cai 2010 pp 81 82 Xu 2007 123 Xu 2007 108 References EditBenn Charles 2002 China s Golden Age Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty Oxford Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 517665 0 Cai Yanxin 2011 2010 Chinese Architecture Cambridge amp New York Cambridge University Press first published by China Intercontinental Press ISBN 978 0 521 18644 5 Steinhardt Nancy Shatzman 1997 Liao Architecture Honolulu University of Hawaii Press Xu Xiaoying ed Zhongguo Guta Zaoxing Beijing Chinese Forest Press 2007 External links EditLiaodi Pagoda at Kaiyuan Temple Chinese Pagodas including Liaodi Liaodi Pagoda at China org cn Close up detail of the upper half of the pagodaCoordinates 38 30 37 N 114 59 48 E 38 51028 N 114 99667 E 38 51028 114 99667 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Liaodi Pagoda amp oldid 1102923104, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
