Songyue Pagoda, Buddhist pagoda in Dengfeng, China.
Songyue Pagoda is a twelve-sided brick structure that rises approximately 40 meters high with multiple roof eaves that taper closer together toward the top. The building spans fifteen stories and features intricate carved details depicting teapots, lions, and other decorative patterns across its surface.
Built in 523 CE during the Northern Wei Dynasty, this structure stands as the oldest surviving brick pagoda in all of China. Its construction and endurance through the centuries make it a vital example of early Buddhist architecture in East Asia.
The pagoda blends Chinese architectural traditions with Buddhist influences from the west, visible in its twelve-sided form and lotus flower motifs throughout the structure. These mixed styles appear in the carved reliefs and decorative details that cover the walls.
Located at the southern foot of Mount Song, the pagoda can be examined from various vantage points around its exterior. Visitors should allow time to explore the different levels and observe the carved details that cover the outer walls.
Hidden within the pagoda are underground chambers containing Buddhist relics, ancient texts, and statues built into the brick walls. These concealed spaces form a crucial part of the site's spiritual significance beyond what is immediately visible from outside.
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