Kaifeng Iron Pagoda, located within the Tieta Park, was originally known as Kaibao Temple Pagoda, also referred to as Linggan Pagoda or Shangwen Temple Pagoda. Due to the brown-glazed bricks embedded in its outer walls, resembling iron from a distance, it is commonly known as the ‘Iron Pagoda’.
Built over nine hundred years ago, the Iron Pagoda has withstood the ravages of war, floods, and earthquakes, and still stands tall and proud today. The pagoda is exquisitely designed and structurally robust, with an octagonal shape and 13 levels, reaching approximately 55 meters in height, decreasing in size from the base upwards.
The brick carvings here are particularly famous, featuring over 50 different patterns such as flying apsaras, qilin, bodhisattvas, musicians, and lions, all exquisitely crafted and vividly portrayed, making them a masterpiece of Song Dynasty brick carving art.
There are stairs inside the pagoda that lead directly to the top, allowing visitors to climb and enjoy a panoramic view of the city’s streets. On the top of the pagoda, a gourd-shaped copper treasure bead is embedded, resembling a solemn monk’s hat from afar. The window design of the pagoda is also unique, with clear windows and blind windows. There is one clear window per level, alternating in direction: north on the first level, south on the second, west on the third, and east on the fourth, and so on. The so-called blind windows are actually non-opening window molds.
In its time, the pagoda was a significant attraction in Bianjing, known as ‘Iron Pagoda Floating Clouds’. From the top, one can see the Yellow River like a ribbon and the earth like a tapestry. To the west of the pagoda is the Jieying Buddha Hall, which houses a Song-Jin era Jieying copper Buddha, approximately 5 meters tall and weighing about 12 tons, also a treasure. Other temple buildings were abandoned during the Qing Daoguang years.
Tieta Scenic Area
Kaifeng Iron Pagoda, located within the Tieta Park, was originally known as Kaibao Temple Pagoda, al[...]
