Iron Pagoda

The Iron Pagoda is erected strikingly in the northwest of Kaifeng in Henan Province, built in 1049. From the name you may assume that the pagoda was made of iron, actually it was made of glazed bricks. Seen from afar, the pagoda looks like iron and so got its name.

The predecessor of the Iron Pagoda was a famouse octagonal, thirty-storeyed wooden pagoda called Lingwei. It was destroyed by lighting in 1044 during the Northern Song Dynasty. In 1049 the Iron Pagoda was constructed with fire-resistant glazed bricks on the same site. Although suffering fierce winds, torrential rains and earthquakes, it still stands firm and remains today.

The Iron Pagoda is over 55 meters high. The sublime construction was built with bricks but modeld after the wooden pagoda. On the surface layer, the glazed bricks are exquisitely engraved. The ornamental carvings include images of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, flying Bpsarases, heavenly kings, celestial guards, lions, unicorns, musicians, peony and lotus flowers and figurines. The steps of the brick stair spiral to the top from where you can overlook the whole city.