Chongxi Pagoda, located at the bank
of Dongxi River in Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province in south China, was first
built in the tenth year (1582) and completed in the 13th year (1585) of the
Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
The Pagoda, employing a mixed structure of
brick and stone, in an octagonal plane, is 57.5 meters high, with 9 exterior
storeys and 17 interior storeys. On the granite pedestal there is a heavenly
seat of 1.84 meters high, with 46.5 meters in perimeter. Statues of
Tuota Lishi (Tower Supporting Hercules) in a posture of holding the Pagoda with
great effort are vividly carved on every corner. Between Hercules there are
eight relief sculptures, of 0.55 meters high and 1.82 meters wide, depicting
stories like Carp Vaulting over Paradise Gate, Two Dragons Play with One
Ball, Chinese Unicorn Present Luck, Two Phoenixes Worship Sun, and
Blessing with Conjugal Felicity, etc. On the eave corner of every storey
hangs a bell. The inside of the Pagoda is made of bricks in vault, which reduce
the pressure on the pagoda body. On the first floor there is three arch gates
called Jingshuo Gate, Kancai Gate, and Qianqing Gate, respectively.
Qianqing Gate is the entrance to the Pagoda.
Inside the Pagoda there is a staircase winding up to the top. On every storey
people can walk outside the Pagoda, which is fenced by wood paling.
The Pagoda, situated on Yaolong Hill, was
designed to lock disaster dragon and protect the embankment from flood when it
was built. The delicate reliefs carved on the heavenly seat are well preserved
with its clear figure and elegant decorative patterns, which reflect the high
level and skill of ancient Chinese architecture.
The construction characteristic of the
Pagoda is the modest draw-in of the body, which looks like a tall and erect
pillar. More glory and color were added to it after the renovation in
1984.