Chigang Pagoda
| Chigang Pagoda | |||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 赤崗塔 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 赤岗塔 | ||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Red Stone Hill Pagoda | ||||||||||||
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Chigang Pagoda, also known as the Red Stone Hill Pagoda[1] or Honam Pogoda, is a famous pagoda located in Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China.[2]
History[edit]
Chigang Pagoda was built in 1619, during the reign of the Wanli Emperor of the Ming dynasty, at a time when fengshui influences were pervasive in Chinese architecture. Together with the Pazhou Pagoda (Whampoa Pagoda) and Lotus Pagoda, it is said that the three pagodas were built at the mouth of the Pearl River to bring good luck to Guangzhou and the surrounding area.[3]
The building is made from red sandstone.[citation needed] The style of the Chigang Pagoda is influenced by the Ming dynasty architecture of the era. It was built to mirror the Pazhou Pagoda in the vicinity as well.[citation needed]
Architecture[edit]
The pagoda is built in an octagonal shape. It stands 53.7 meters (176 ft) tall. The base has a diameter of 12.5 meters (41 ft). The pagoda has nine exterior floor sections.[citation needed] Inside the pagoda, it consist of 17 levels which keeps the nine sections together.[citation needed]
Restoration[edit]
Because of neglect and exposure to the elements over the centuries, the Chigang Pagoda deteriorated. The external wall cracked, the foundation started to sink, and the floors became uneven due to neglect. At one stage, the pagoda leaned about 1.05 m from the vertical.[citation needed]
In 1996 the Guangzhou authorities started work on its restoration, but this was never completed due to a lack of funds. In 1998 the Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Management raised RMB 1.60 million to fund restoration of the Pagoda. The restoration and inspection was completed in mid-1999.[citation needed]
Transport[edit]
The pagoda can be reached by rail. It is near Canton Tower Station (previously called Chigang Pagoda Station) on line 3 and Kecun Station on line 3 and line 8 of the Guangzhou Metro. However, the pagoda is not open to the public.
References[edit]
- ^ "The treaty ports of China and Japan. A complete guide to the open ports of those countries, together with Peking, Yedo, Hongkong and Macao". The University of Hong Kong Libraries. 1867. Archived from the original on 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
- ^ "Chigang Pagoda the Official Website of the 16th Asian Games". Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
- ^ "赤岗塔 (Chigang Pagoda)" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2012-08-25.[self-published source]
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