Iron Pagoda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iron Pagoda |
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The Iron Pagoda of Kaifeng, China, built in 1049
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Han Chinese Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Country | Kaifeng City, Henan province |
 Location in Henan
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| Architecture | |
| Completed | 17 June 1049 |
The Iron Pagoda (Chinese: 鐵塔) is a famous Chinese tower. It stands tall in Kaifeng City, Henan province. This amazing structure was built in the year 1049.
Even though it's called the Iron Pagoda, it's not actually made of iron! It got its name because its bricks have a special color that looks like iron from far away. This pagoda is made of strong bricks. It was built where an older wooden tower once stood. That wooden tower burned down in 1044 after being hit by lightning.
The Iron Pagoda is seen as a true masterpiece. It's one of the best examples of building styles from the Song dynasty in China.
Contents
What Does the Iron Pagoda Look Like?
This impressive tower has an eight-sided base. It reaches a height of nearly 57 meters (about 187 feet). That's as tall as a 19-story building! The pagoda has 13 levels in total.
Inside the Tower
The Iron Pagoda is a solid brick tower. Inside, there's a spiral staircase made of stone. This staircase lets you climb up through the tower. There are also openings on the outside. These openings let in light and fresh air.
Amazing Decorations
The outside of the pagoda is covered in beautiful details. It features more than 50 different kinds of glazed bricks. These bricks come in colors like red, brown, blue, and green. There are also 1,600 detailed carvings!
You can see carvings of many things, including:
- Standing and sitting Buddhas
- Monks and dancers
- Flowers and lions
- Dragons and other legendary animals
Underneath the roof edges, there are 104 bells. These bells ring softly when the wind blows. The pagoda's base is built on the silt (fine mud) from the Yellow River. Inside, you can find frescos, which are paintings on the walls. These paintings show scenes from famous Chinese stories, like The Journey to the West.
History of the Iron Pagoda
The story of the Iron Pagoda begins a long time ago. During the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127), Kaifeng was the capital city. A famous architect named Yu Hao built a magnificent wooden pagoda there. This wooden pagoda was part of the Youguo Temple. It was built between 965 and 995 CE. Many people at the time thought it was an amazing work of art.
A New Pagoda Rises
Sadly, the beautiful wooden pagoda was destroyed in 1044. It was hit by a lightning bolt and burned down. But the story didn't end there! The emperor at the time, Emperor Renzong (who ruled from 1022 to 1063), ordered a new pagoda to be built.
The new tower was finished by 1049. This time, it was built using strong, non-flammable bricks and stone. It was named the 'Iron Pagoda' because its dark, iron-like color could be seen from far away. Even though its bricks are glazed in many colors, the overall look is like iron.
Surviving Disasters
The Iron Pagoda has faced many challenges over the centuries. In 1847, the Yellow River overflowed its banks. The Youguo Temple, which the pagoda was part of, collapsed. But the Iron Pagoda stood strong and survived!
Throughout its long history, the pagoda has lived through 38 earthquakes. It has also survived six major floods and many other natural disasters. After almost 1,000 years, this incredible structure remains standing and intact.
In 1994, the Iron Pagoda was even featured on a two-yuan Chinese postage stamp!
Gallery
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The Iron Pagoda in Kaifeng
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A closer look at the pagoda
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Detail of the pagoda's carvings
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Another detailed view
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Glazed tiles of the Iron Pagoda
See also
