Kaifu Temple Relic Pagoda

CHINA, Hebei, Hengshui

Kaifu Temple Relic Pagoda was originally called Sakyamuni Relic Pagoda. According to stele inscriptions, it was built in 1079 during the Northern Song dynasty. It has undergone a number of renovations in later dynasties. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1996.
The 13-story, octagonal brick pagoda is 63.9 m high and the first story has a circumference of 50.5 m at the base. An underground palace is located beneath the pagoda. The base platform is constructed from blocks of blue limestone, while the rest of the pagoda is built from gray brick. Arched doorways are located on the sides facing the four cardinal directions. They lead to corridors that encircle the entire story. There are stairs that give access to each story. Each set of stairs runs through each story in a different fashion, so that the structure can be strengthened. On the exterior, bracket sets are used to support the eaves. The spire consists of an octagonal harmika and upturned lotus, followed by a stack of octagonal strips of metal measuring 3.3 m and a bronze gourd-shaped finial measuring 2 m.
Despite the fact that the pagoda has undergone numerous renovations, it still retains its style from the Song dynasty (960–1279). In 1973, while it was being renovated, workers found a variety of artifacts within the gourd-shaped finial. These included wooden printing blocks of Buddhist scriptures dating to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), bronze statues of the Reclining Buddha, and other valuable items.