Guangsheng Upper Temple Feihong Pagoda

CHINA, Shanxi, Linfen

The pagoda is located within Guangsheng Upper Temple. It was reconstructed between 1515 and 1527 during the Ming dynasty and covered with glazed decorations. In the sunlight it reflects rainbow-colored halos, so it is called Feihong (Flying Rainbow) Pagoda.
The 13-story, octagonal, brick pagoda is 47.3 m high. The pagoda is constructed in gray brick, while the surface is covered with colorful glazed bricks and tiles. A wooden veranda, which was added on in 1622, surrounds the structure at the bottom. There is a portico on the south side of the veranda. Beneath the eaves of the pagoda, there are either bracket sets or lotus petals. The surface is decorated with glazed reliefs of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, warriors, coiling dragons, birds, mythical creatures, and floral patterns. The spire consists of an inverted bowl and a canopy followed by stacked rings and finial. The roof and walls of the pagoda are mainly yellow, while the decorations are mostly in green or yellow interlaced with green, with some blue added.
The central chamber on the first tier has a glazed octagonal decorated ceiling and houses a seated Sakyamuni Buddha. All the other tiers are solid apart from narrow and steep stairways for climbing. The stairways themselves are unusual: there are no landings; the climbers must turn around and heave themselves upwards to the next set of stairs.
The eaves line up in a straight diagonal line without upturning, resulting in the absence of the soft curves of traditional Chinese pagodas. The glazed decorations are abundant and varied, while the quality of the material, color, and workmanship represent the best of Ming dynasty (1368–1644) glazed artwork.