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The Chongfa Temple Pagoda is located in Xicheng District, Yongcheng City, Henan Province. Construction began on March 25, 1093, the eighth year of the Yuanyou reign of the Song Dynasty, and was completed in 1098. Because it was built within the Chongfa Temple, it was named the Chongfa Temple Pagoda. "Pagoda Coiled in the Clouds" was once one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yongcheng. Yongcheng native Lü Yonghui once eulogized it in a poem: "The remains of the ancient Donglin Temple remain, and the seven-story pagoda stands on the upper reaches. It was a great town protecting the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, and defending the Central Plains from the Liang and Song dynasties." It is now a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit (sixth batch).
The Chongfa Temple Pagoda is 34.6 meters high and is an octagonal, nine-story pavilion-style building. It consists of four parts: the underground palace, the base, the tower body, and the pagoda top.
The Chongfa Temple's underground palace is square in shape, with a caisson ceiling. In the center is a brick-built lotus-shaped coffin bed resting on pillars, atop which rests a rectangular stone casket. Within the stone casket are Buddha relics, enshrined in offerings of seven treasures: gold, silver, agate, crystal, and jade. Also found are copper coins and rice from the Tang and Song dynasties, indicating that the pagoda was built specifically to house the Buddha's physical remains.
The northern temperate monsoon semi-humid climate makes it suitable for travel in all four seasons.
The base of the tower is filled with wooden frames, which support the pagoda from above and protect the underground palace from below. It is solid and stable, forming a harmonious, solemn and elegant entity with the tower body and the pagoda top, and can be regarded as a masterpiece of the ancient pavilion-style tower.
The tower body is a brick pavilion-style, octagonal and nine-story, with blue bricks stacked together to imitate the wooden structure. The eaves are extended layer by layer and are retracted layer by layer. There are brick imitation wooden garden columns at the corners of the outer walls of each floor, and imitation wooden hollow fences are built on the outer eaves, which enhances the beauty and shows a varied outline.
The tower's eaves are constructed of stacked lotus-petal stones, supported by brackets, creating a decorative, layered appearance. The corners of the eaves are accented with stone dragon heads holding wind chimes. The tinkling sound of these chimes in the breeze is truly relaxing and captivating, making one forget all past humiliations. It's a great place to visit the tower's interior.
It is recommended to play for about 3 hours.
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Chongfa Temple Pagoda, located in Shangqiu, Henan Province, is an ancient Buddhist pagoda originally part of the Chongfa Temple complex. Built during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), the pagoda is an important cultural relic that reflects the architectural style and Buddhist influence of its era. It served as a spiritual and cultural center for monks and pilgrims in the region and remains one of Shangqiu’s most treasured historical landmarks.
The pagoda is located in the Suiyang District of Shangqiu, Henan Province. Visitors can reach it by taking a bus or taxi from Shangqiu Railway Station, which is about 6–8 km away. Local buses or taxis are the most convenient options, as there is no metro system in Shangqiu.
The pagoda is generally open to visitors during daylight hours, typically from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The best time to visit is in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), when the weather is pleasant and suitable for outdoor exploration.
Entrance to the pagoda area is usually free or requires a small local fee. Tickets, if applicable, can be purchased on-site at the entrance.
No advance booking is required. Visitors can enter directly upon arrival.
About 1–2 hours is sufficient to explore the pagoda, surrounding ruins, and nearby park area.
Guided tours are rare, but some local guides or signage in Chinese may be available. English explanations are limited.
No night visits or light shows are offered; visits are limited to daylight hours.
The site is usually quiet, especially on weekdays. Weekends may have more local visitors, but it rarely becomes crowded.
Basic facilities such as public toilets and rest areas are available nearby. Small convenience stores and food stalls may be found within walking distance.
The pagoda area is generally accessible, with flat walkways suitable for elderly and children. However, the pagoda itself cannot be climbed.
Mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely accepted in the area; cash is also fine for small vendors.
Some local restaurants offer simple vegetarian dishes; halal food options can be found in central Shangqiu city.
Souvenir options are limited, but visitors can find local handicrafts, tea, or Henan specialty snacks in nearby markets.
Visitors can take a taxi or bus back to Shangqiu Railway Station for onward travel to cities such as Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, or Xuchang.
