Imagine, if you will, standing before a silent sentinel of history. This is the Haotian Pagoda. It rises brick by brick in the Fangshan District of Beijing.
The Haotian Pagoda also goes by another name. Locals sometimes call it Liangxiang Pagoda.
It is an octagonal brick pagoda. The Haotian Pagoda stands in Haotian Park. The pagoda’s history stretches back centuries. It offers a glimpse into China’s rich past.
Originally built during the Sui dynasty, the Haotian Pagoda has seen many changes. The brick tower we see today dates back to the Liao dynasty. This was between 907 and 1125.
The Haotian Pagoda is not just a pretty face. It is 36 meters high with five octahedral shaped hollow tiers.
Look closely. You will notice doors on each tier. Four doors face north, south, east, and west. Zhiling windows dot the northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest directions.
Once, each floor held four Buddha sculptures. Sadly, the Eight-Nation Alliance damaged most of them in 1901.
Imagine climbing the spiral staircase inside. It once offered views of the capital back in the 12th century.
Each floor has small orifices. Some believe they served military purposes. They may have been used during the Liao and Song dynasty wars.
The Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage recognized its importance. In 1984 and 1997, they invested over 16 million Chinese yuan in restoration work. The Haotian Pagoda got the care it deserved.
Haotian Park opened in 1998. It has a lake and pavilions. The Haotian Pagoda became the park’s centerpiece.
Getting here is easy. You can take public buses. The Liangxiangdongguan bus stop is a short walk from Haotian Park’s entrance.
Note that Haotian Park was under renovation starting in September 2017.
For a small fee, you can explore the park. The Haotian Pagoda is the only hollow Buddhist pagoda in Beijing. Take in its historical significance.