Xiude Temple Pagoda

CHINA, Hebei, Baoding

According to the inscription on a stone casket found in the underground palace, the pagoda was constructed in 601 during the Sui dynasty. Inscriptions on the pagoda body state that it was rebuilt in 1019 during the Northern Song dynasty. The pagoda was repaired during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2006.
The octagonal, brick pagoda is 32.2 m high and it has six tiers. The base platform is square with a double-layer lotus at the top. On the first tier a doorway opens into a central chamber. The second tier is noticeably higher at 10.2 m. It is built in the style of a flower pagoda and is solid inside. There are five rows of rectangular pagoda reliefs: two on each side and one at each corner. Altogether there are 120 rectangular pagoda reliefs. These pagodas are similar in design: a double-tier upturned lotus supporting a rectangular body, with corbeling at the top followed by a leaf-like decoration and some jewels. Tiers three to six have arched doorways on their south walls, while false windows occupy the remaining walls. The eaves on the first tier are supported by three rows of lotus petals, while the eaves on the second tier are supported by seven rows of lotus petals as well as some corbeling. The remaining eaves are only represented by corbeling. Most of the spire is missing with only the upturned lotus base remaining.
The pagoda has an unusual design: it is rare to see a flower pagoda combined with a multi-tier pagoda in this way. It is a valuable source for the study of Buddhist architecture from the Song dynasty (960–1279).