You must visit Zhuozhou to see the millennium-old Liao Dynasty Twin Pagodas!

"The mournful wind scatters over Zhuolu, the precious pagodas soar into the sky preserving Buddhist scriptures. Staff-wielding immortals climb a hundred steps, towers overlook thousands of households in the capital's outskirts."

The Liao Dynasty Twin Pagodas, also known as the Zhuozhou Twin Pagodas, are iconic landmarks of ancient Zhuozhou. Located in the northeast corner of Zhuozhou's old town in Hebei Province, the two pagodas stand facing each other about 260 meters apart. "Twin Pagodas in Clear Mist" was one of the eight famous scenic spots of ancient Zhuozhou.

The Zhidusi Pagoda is the southern pagoda, built in the 11th year of the Liao Taiping era (1031 AD). This five-story octagonal brick pagoda stands 44 meters tall and was named after Zhidusi Temple, which was later destroyed, leaving only the pagoda.

The Yunju Temple Pagoda is the northern pagoda, slightly taller at 56 meters. Constructed in the 8th year of the Liao Da'an era (1092 AD), this six-story octagonal pagoda was named after Yunju Temple, which also perished over time, leaving only this pagoda.

Standing between these two millennium-old Buddhist pagodas, one feels their profound significance. The northern Yunju Temple Pagoda is a true relic pagoda containing the parietal bone relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, while the southern Zhidusi Pagoda enshrines the "Unstained Pure Light Dharani Sutra" and other scriptures at its pinnacle - as "scriptures are the Dharma-body relics," making it a Dharma-body pagoda. These two giant pagodas resemble two massive Tathagatas gazing at each other across time: "Two Tathagatas sit exposed, eternally facing each other from afar."

Only by visiting can one truly appreciate the magnificent grandeur of the Liao Dynasty Twin Pagodas. I hope on my next visit there will be tea🍵 and coffee☕ spots nearby where I can relax and quietly admire them... It would be even better if there were professional tour guides to explain their history!

Parking can be challenging around the scenic area - you may need to circle nearby to find a spot.

I hope the cultural tourism authorities will continue exploring the historical and cultural value of these Liao Dynasty Twin Pagodas, and that they will be better protected and promoted[Grin]

Post by ElizabethSinclair732 | May 17, 2025