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Haihui Yuan Temple Minghui Pagoda
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Haihui Yuan Temple Minghui Pagoda
CHINA, Shanxi, Changzhi
Located within the ruins of Haihui Yuan Temple, the single-story pagoda was built in 877. Such single-story pagodas were popular during the Tang dynasty (618-907). It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.
The square pagoda is 6 m high and constructed in stone. The two-layer base is 1.5 m high and is decorated with pilasters. A Sumeru throne carved with niches sits on top of the base. The pagoda body has a rectangular doorway on the south side guarded by a pair of Heavenly Kings. Reliefs of apsaras can be seen above the doorway. The eaves are extended and have slightly curved corners. The roof is shaped liked a truncated pyramid. The spire consists of four levels which are highly decorated with carvings of plantain leaves and lotus petals. Since it has a close resemblance to wooden Chinese structures, it provides a valuable source of information for the study of Chinese timber architecture. |
