Jinzhou | Yixian, Antai Gate Ruins & Guangsheng Temple Pagoda.

·Antai Gate Ruins
Antai Gate was originally built in the first year of Ming Xuande reign. Due to human destruction and natural weathering in the 1960s and 70s, only broken gate ruins remained. In 2014, the government initiated restoration. It is now a provincial cultural heritage site and one of Yixian's landmark buildings.

The scenic area ticket costs 10 yuan, and there's a combined ticket with Fengguo Temple. The site is not large, with some simple exhibitions inside the gate tower, but not many highlights. The Daling River Wetland Park is just across from it.

·Guangsheng Temple Pagoda
Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is an important landmark in Yixian and a national key cultural heritage site. It features a typical Liao Dynasty pagoda style and is one of the twin stars of western Liaoning's Buddhist culture (the other being Guangji Temple Pagoda).

The exact construction date of the Liao pagoda is unknown. Some say it was built together with Fengguo Temple, while others date it to the seventh year of Liao Qiantong (based on an unearthed Buddhist pillar). During restoration in 2012, it was discovered that the lower four levels were made of Liao Dynasty patterned bricks, while the upper nine levels used plain bricks from the Jin Dynasty, suggesting construction occurred in stages from late Liao to early Jin periods.

The pagoda is an octagonal thirteen-story solid brick structure with dense eaves. Each of the eight sides features a Buddha niche with one Buddha, two attendant bodhisattvas, double flying apsaras, and a canopy. The carvings are exquisite and detailed, making it highly recommended for visitors.

Post by Elf.Elf | May 2, 2025