Chongxi Pagoda

Chongxi Pagoda, located at the bank of Dongxi River in Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province in south China, was first built in the tenth year (1582) and completed in the 13th year (1585) of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The Pagoda, employing a mixed structure of brick and stone, in an octagonal plane, is 57.5 meters high, with 9 exterior storeys and 17 interior storeys. On the granite pedestal there is a heavenly seat of 1.84 meters high, with 46.5 meters in perimeter. Statues of Tuota Lishi (Tower Supporting Hercules) in a posture of holding the Pagoda with great effort are vividly carved on every corner. Between Hercules there are eight relief sculptures, of 0.55 meters high and 1.82 meters wide, depicting stories like Carp Vaulting over Paradise Gate, Two Dragons Play with One Ball, Chinese Unicorn Present Luck, Two Phoenixes Worship Sun, and Blessing with Conjugal Felicity, etc. On the eave corner of every storey hangs a bell. The inside of the Pagoda is made of bricks in vault, which reduce the pressure on the pagoda body. On the first floor there is three arch gates called Jingshuo Gate, Kancai Gate, and Qianqing Gate, respectively.

Qianqing Gate is the entrance to the Pagoda. Inside the Pagoda there is a staircase winding up to the top. On every storey people can walk outside the Pagoda, which is fenced by wood paling.

The Pagoda, situated on Yaolong Hill, was designed to lock disaster dragon and protect the embankment from flood when it was built. The delicate reliefs carved on the heavenly seat are well preserved with its clear figure and elegant decorative patterns, which reflect the high level and skill of ancient Chinese architecture.

The construction characteristic of the Pagoda is the modest draw-in of the body, which looks like a tall and erect pillar. More glory and color were added to it after the renovation in 1984.