“Look at the intricate carvings!” a woman exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. We stood before the Zhen Guo Si Bai Ta, also known as the Bai Ta, a magnificent sight bathed in the warm Chengdu sun. This isn’t just any tower. The Bai Ta is a 13-level, dense-eaved brick pagoda, a testament to the architectural prowess of the Northern Song Dynasty. Built between 1054 and 1060, it stands tall as a beacon of Buddhist heritage in Pengzhou. The Bai Ta, meaning “White Pagoda”, takes its name from the Zhen Guo Si Temple. Sadly, the temple no longer stands. Imagine the chants of monks echoing through these grounds, their robes swaying as they moved about their daily rituals. Though the temple is gone, the Bai Ta stands defiant, whispering stories of a time long past. Look closely at the bricks. You’ll see faint markings. These are actually characters – “Song”, “Wang”, “Han”, “Jing”, “Yi” – etched into the very building blocks of the pagoda. These markings are more than just letters. They are signatures, a testament to the skilled artisans who meticulously crafted each brick, leaving their mark on history. The Bai Ta is a survivor. It withstood the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake and emerged, albeit scarred, as a symbol of resilience. Today, after careful restoration, it stands as a proud reminder of the past and a beacon of hope for the future.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to