Pagoda of Cishou Temple in Beijing

Overview

The Cishou Temple Pagoda (慈寿寺塔), originally known as Yong’an Wanshou Pagoda (永安万寿塔) and also referred to as Balizhuang Pagoda (八里庄塔) and Linglong Pagoda (玲珑宝塔), is modeled after the Tianning Temple Pagoda. It is situated at No. 3 Beili, Xibalizhuang, Haidian District, Beijing, within Linglong Park. Commonly called the Cishou Temple Pagoda due to its location, locals also refer to it as Linglong Pagoda.

Historical Background

Constructed by Empress Dowager Cisheng (慈圣皇太后), the mother of Emperor Shen Zhong (明神宗), the pagoda began in the fourth year of the Wanli era (1576) and was completed two years later. The site was originally the burial ground for the eunuch Gu Dayong (谷大用) during the Zhengde era (1506-1521). During Empress Dowager Li’s (李太后) regency, many Buddhist temples were established, including Cishou Temple.

Architectural Features

The pagoda features an octagonal, thirteen-tiered solid brick design, standing at 50 meters tall. It has no stairs and cannot be climbed. The base consists of a double-layered Xumi seat, intricately carved with Buddha figures, celestial beings, and various motifs. Each of the four cardinal directions has brick-carved archways, and the south archway bears the inscription “Yong’an Wanshou Pagoda.”

The pagoda’s body is supported by lotus flower petals, with niches containing Buddha statues on each tier. It is topped with a gilded steel treasure vase and adorned with over three thousand iron wind chimes.

Park and Preservation

The former site of Cishou Temple has been transformed into Linglong Park (玲珑公园), named after the historical Linglong Pagoda. The Cishou Temple Pagoda was designated as a cultural heritage protection unit by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government in 1957, and in 2013, it was included in the seventh batch of national key cultural relic protection units by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

How to Get to Cishou Temple

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Useful Travel Tips

  1. Hotels near Tower In Cishou Temple
    (0.43 mi) Yulong International Hotel
    (0.8 mi) Jinlongtan Hotel
    (0.77 mi) Ruyi Business Hotel Beijing
    (0.6 mi) Ziyu Hotel (Zhongguan Road)
    (0.34 mi) Beijing Guangdong Hotel
  2. Restaurants near Tower In Cishou Temple
    (0.24 mi) Jinmei Restaurant
    (0.26 mi) Dayali Roast Duck (HangTian Qiao)
    (0.26 mi) Cao Mao Yu
    (0.27 mi) Li Chang Seafood Restaurant (XiBa LiZhuang)
    (0.27 mi) LaoBing Juan DaiYu(FuCheng Road)

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