Liaodi Pagoda: Difference between revisions

Liaodi Pagoda
Liaodi Pagoda
Traditional Chinese	料敵塔
Simplified Chinese	料敌塔
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Liàodí Tǎ
Wade–Giles	Liao4-ti2 T'a3
IPA	[ljâʊ.tǐ tʰà]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization	Liuh-dihk Taap
Jyutping	Liu6-Dik6 Taap3
IPA	[liw˨.tɪk̚˨ tʰap̚˧]

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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]

History

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 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]

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.

Notes

^ 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

Benn, 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 & 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

Liaodi Pagoda at Kaiyuan Temple
Chinese Pagodas, including Liaodi
Liaodi Pagoda at China.org.cn
Close-up detail of the upper half of the pagoda

38°30′37″N 114°59′48″E / 38.51028°N 114.99667°E / 38.51028; 114.99667

[1] Benn, 62.

[2] ""华北四宝"收集攻略及周边景点介绍 - 马蜂窝".

[3] Cai (2010), pp 81–82.

[4] Xu (2007), 123.

[5] Xu (2007), 108.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Dingzhou Liaodi Pagoda 3.jpg|thumb|300px|Liaodi Pagoda]]
+{{infobox Chinese
-The '''Liaodi Pagoda''' ({{zh|t=料敵塔|s=料敌塔|p=Liàodí Tǎ|w=Liaoti T'a|first=t}}) 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 {{convert|84|m|ft}}, resting on a large platform with an [[octagon]]al 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&nbsp;m (230&nbsp;ft). The tallest pagoda in pre-modern Chinese history was a {{convert|100|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} wooden pagoda tower in [[Chang'an]] built in 611 by [[Emperor Yang of Sui]], yet this structure no longer stands.<ref>Benn, 62.</ref>
+|t=料敵塔|s=料敌塔
+|p=Liàodí Tǎ|w=Liao<sup>4</sup>-ti<sup>2</sup> T'a<sup>3</sup>|mi={{IPAc-cmn|l|iao|4|.|d|i|2|-|t|a|3}}
+|j=Liu6-Dik6 Taap3|y=Liuh-dihk Taap|ci={{IPAc-yue|l|iu|6|.|d|ik|6|-|t|aap|3}}
+}}
+The '''Liaodi Pagoda''' ({{zh|s=料敌塔|p=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 {{convert|84|m|ft|sp=us}}, resting on a large platform with an [[octagon]]al 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&nbsp;m (230&nbsp;ft). The tallest pagoda in pre-modern Chinese history was a {{convert|100|m|ft|adj=mid|sp=us}}-tall wooden pagoda tower in [[Chang'an]] built in 611 by [[Emperor Yang of Sui]], yet this structure no longer stands.<ref>Benn, 62.</ref> It is considered one of the [[Four Treasures of Hebei]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mafengwo.cn/gonglve/ziyouxing/190408.html|title = "华北四宝"收集攻略及周边景点介绍 - 马蜂窝}}</ref>
 ==History==
-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 [[Buddhist]] [[sutra|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]], which could be used to spot enemy movements coming from the northern [[Liao dynasty]] headed by the Song's [[Khitan people|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.'<ref>Xu (2007), 123.</ref>
+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 [[Buddhist]] [[sutra|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]],<ref>Cai (2010), pp 81–82.</ref> which could be used to spot enemy movements coming from the northern [[Liao dynasty]] headed by the Song's [[Khitan people|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.'<ref>Xu (2007), 123.</ref>
 [[File:Dingzhou Liaodi Pagoda 5.jpg|thumb|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]], this pagoda stands at a height of 79&nbsp;m (259&nbsp;ft), making it the second tallest pagoda built in pre-modern China.<ref>Xu (2007), 108.</ref>
+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&nbsp;m (259&nbsp;ft), making it the second tallest pagoda built in pre-modern China.<ref>Xu (2007), 108.</ref>
 ==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 (architecture)|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 [[bracket]]s 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 [[mural]]s and stone [[stele]]s with [[Chinese calligraphy]] in the pagoda are dated to the Song period when the pagoda was built.
+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 (architecture)|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 [[bracket (architecture)|bracket]]s 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 [[mural]]s and stone [[stele]]s with [[Chinese calligraphy]] in the pagoda are dated to the Song period when the pagoda was built.
 ==See also==
@@ Line 15: / Line 20: @@
 *[[Architecture of the Song dynasty]]
 *[[History of architecture]]
+*[[List of tallest structures built before the 20th century]]
 *[[Porcelain Tower of Nanjing]], a now destroyed pagoda that was 260&nbsp;ft tall
+*[[Tianning Temple (Changzhou)]], contains China's largest pagoda, albeit modern (completed in 2007)
 ==Notes==
@@ Line 21: / Line 28: @@
 ==References==
-*Benn, Charles (2002). ''China's Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty''. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-517665-0.
+*Benn, 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 & 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==
-{{commons category|Liaodi Pagoda}}
 *[http://english.china.com/zh_cn/tourism/pagoda/11023691/20040906/11866163.html Liaodi Pagoda at Kaiyuan Temple]
-*[http://www.a3guo.com/en/china/Art/Pagodas/pagodas.html Chinese Pagodas, including Liaodi]
+*[http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110314194611/http://www.a3guo.com/en/china/Art/Pagodas/pagodas.html Chinese Pagodas, including Liaodi]
-*[http://www.china.org.cn/english/TR-e/43447.htm Liaodi Pagoda at China.org.cn]
+*[http://www.china.org.cn/english/TR-e/43447.htm Liaodi Pagoda] at China.org.cn
-*[http://www.hebei.com.cn/node2/english/tjhb/wwms/userobject1ai211149.html Close-up detail of the upper half of the pagoda]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050508131045/http://www.hebei.com.cn/node2/english/tjhb/wwms/userobject1ai211149.html Close-up detail of the upper half of the pagoda]
 {{coord|38|30|37|N|114|59|48|E|region:CN-13_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title}}
-[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 11th century]]
+[[Category:Buddhist temples in Hebei]]
+[[Category:Pagodas in China]]
 [[Category:Octagonal buildings in China]]
-[[Category:Chinese pagodas]]
-[[Category:Chinese architectural history]]
-[[Category:Buildings and structures in Hebei]]
-[[Category:Song dynasty]]
 [[Category:Song dynasty architecture]]
-[[Category:Visitor attractions in Hebei]]
+[[Category:11th-century Buddhist temples]]
+[[Category:11th-century establishments in China]]
+[[Category:Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in Hebei]]
+[[Category:Dingzhou]]