Exploring the Iron Pagoda of Longxing Temple in Liaocheng: A "Nationally Protected" Legend Spanning Thousands of Years

[Rose] In Liaocheng, a national historical and cultural city, there is an ancient iron tower that has gone through many years of vicissitudes. It is the Longxing Temple Iron Tower, which has been listed as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. This iron tower is like a silent old man of history, standing there quietly and telling the world a thousand-year-old story. [Rose] A treasure from the Song Dynasty, a model of craftsmanship [Rose]The Iron Pagoda of Longxing Temple was first built in the Song Dynasty. It bears the unique imprint of that era and has become a precious physical material for studying the Buddhist pagoda architecture of the Song Dynasty. This iron-cast tower, which imitates a wooden pavilion, has distinct Song Dynasty characteristics in both its shape and reliefs. The exquisite casting craftsmanship is breathtaking. Every detail is handled just right, the shape is handsome and upright, and the architectural proportions are very appropriate. When you stand in front of the iron tower, you seem to be able to see the focused and rigorous expressions of the Song Dynasty craftsmen. They used their wisdom and hands to transform the hot molten iron into this artistic treasure. It is not just a tower, but also a vivid embodiment of the superb craftsmanship of the Song Dynasty. [Rose] The ups and downs of history, the twists and turns of fate [Rose] The history of the Eiffel Tower is full of twists and turns. During the Song Dynasty, it was built within the former Huguo Longxing Temple, carrying people's beliefs and prayers. However, during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, it suffered the misfortune of collapse. But its story does not end there. During the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, monks worked together to re-erect the iron tower, bringing it back to life. Unfortunately, over the long years, the tower gradually fell into disrepair. Before 1949, the base of the tower was located in a low-lying area and the tower body had long collapsed, leaving only the lower five floors, like a weathered old man, crumbling in the wind and rain. [Rose] It wasn't until 1973 that the tower's fate took a turn for the better. During the maintenance, people accidentally discovered the underground palace. In the same year, in order to better protect the tower, it was moved 7 meters from its original depression to a higher altitude in the northwest, and a concrete tower foundation was added. The staff also dug out the sunken components from around the original tower base, and after careful repairs and restoration, the tower is now back to its former glory. However, due to the loss of one of the layers of components, the tower now has 12 floors. [Rose] The historic site has a new look, but its charm remains [Rose] Today, the Longxing Temple Iron Pagoda consists of four parts: the underground palace, the tower base, the tower body, and the tower top, with a total height of 18.5 meters. The underground palace is a stone chamber. When it was excavated in 1973, precious cultural relics such as stone caskets, silver coffins, relics, Buddha statues, and Guanyin statues were unearthed. These cultural relics seem to be the codes of history, revealing to us the mystery behind the iron tower. [Rose] The tower base is a stone square Sumeru pedestal, 3 meters high, with reliefs on all four sides of the waist. The reliefs have smooth lines and exquisite patterns, as if telling an ancient legend. The tower body is octagonal in plan and is made of cast iron imitating a wooden structure, which is stacked layer by layer. The tower body is hollow. It originally had thirteen floors, but now has twelve floors and is 15.5 meters high. The bottom of the first floor of the tower is decorated with precious lotus, and there are false doors and windows, and supporting columns are cast at the corners. Each level of the tower has a waist eaves and a flat base, all made of imitation wood components, with exquisite workmanship and lifelike appearance. The top of the pagoda is in the shape of an upturned lotus gourd vase, but it is a recast today and not the original. [Rose] Tourist attraction, cultural heritage [Rose] The current Longxing Temple Iron Pagoda has an independent pagoda courtyard, which also houses a cultural relic exhibition hall and is open to the public free of charge. Opening hours are from 9:00 to 19:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, and admission stops at 18:30. When you walk in here, it's like traveling through time and space and having an intimate conversation with history. With the company of the Iron Tower, you can feel the cultural atmosphere of the Song Dynasty and appreciate the wisdom and skills of ancient craftsmen. This iron tower is not only a cultural symbol of Liaocheng, but also an important part of the history and culture of the Chinese nation. It will continue to pass on the civilization and glory of thousands of years in the long river of time.