Chigang Pagoda

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Chigang Pagoda at night

Chigang Pagoda (Chinese: 赤岗塔; pinyin: Chìgǎng tǎ; literally ""Red mound pagoda"") is a famous pagoda located in Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China.[1]

History

Chigang Pagoda was built in 1619, during the reign of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty, at a time when Fengshui influences were pervasive in Chinese architecture. It is said the two towers were built at the mouth of the Pearl River to bring good luck to Guangzhou and the surrounding area.[2]

The building is made from red sandstone.[3] The style of the Chigang Pagoda is influenced by the Ming Dynasty architecture of the era. It was built to mirror the Pazhou Pagodain the vicinity as well.[3]

Architecture

The tower is an octagonal shape tower. It stands at 53.7 m high tower. The floor has a diameter of 12.5 meters. The tower is made up of 9 exterior floor sections.[3] Inside the tower, it consist of 17 layers which keeps the 9 sections together.[3]

A close up picture of the pagoda.

Restoration

Over the past centuries as Chigang Pagoda exposed to the natural environment, it became a little derelict. the external wall cracked, foundation started to sink, floors became uneven due to neglect. At one stage, the tower leaned about 1.05 m from the vertical.[3] The Guangzhou authorities in 1996 started work on its restoration but was never completed due to a lack of funds.[3][4]

In 1998, the Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Management raised RMB 1.60 million to fund the restoration work for the Chigang Pagoda.[3][4] The restoration and inspection completed in mid-1999.[3][4]

Transport

The pagoda can be reached by rail. It is near Canton Tower Station (previously called Chigang Pagoda Station) on line 3 and Chigang Station on line 8 of the Guangzhou Metro. However, the pagoda is not open to the public.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.gz2010.cn/09/1104/16/5N9O9RF30078023A.html
  2. ↑ http://www.hudong.com/wiki/%E8%B5%A4%E5%B2%97%E5%A1%94
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 http://baike.baidu.com/view/1704685.htm
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://old.lvyou100.com/Scene/jdindex/4323.html
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Coordinates: 23°6′15.6″N 113°19′2.3″E / 23.104333°N 113.317306°E / 23.104333; 113.317306

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