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Xumi Pagoda

Xumi Pagoda in Kaiyuan Monastery Kaiyuan Monastery is situated in the west of the county town' It is surrounded by green trees, secluded and Picturesque. Water rippled in front of it. According to records, it was built in 54o, originally named Jinguang Monastery and renamed Xiehui Monastery in 59l. The present name was given in 738. It is well arranged, with Tianwang Hall in front and Fachuan Ha11 in the rear (ruined). The belfry is in the east and Xumi pagoda in the west. Such layout is a valuable example for the study of the architecture in Tang Dynasty.

Xumi pagoda, commonly called "Brick Pagoda", is a main bui1ding in the monastery. It was first built in 636. With a height of 48 meters, it is a mu1tieaves pagoda made up of brick and stone. It looks simple and plain, sitting on a square brick foundation. Stone pieces are used on the lower part of the first story. On both ends of every side there is a relief of giant. In the frontal side there is a stone gate, above which are four Chinese characters “XU MI QIAO LI”--meaning the Xumi

Pagoda stands there and rises deeply. The upper eight story become sma11er one by one, with

The frontal side of each story all opens small square window. At the corner of eaves of every

Story there is a wind-bell. The biggest part of the pagoda is an iron tip. Looking up after entering the pagoda, you can see a wooden caisson ceiling between the first story and the second one. Above the second story it is empty, Different from the Hua and Chengling Pagodas, there is 1ittle decoration on it. So, it looks plain and unadorned. Opposite the Xumi Pagoda stands the belfry. It is a square and two-storied building with single eaves. The wooden structure and pi11ars and brackets in the First story reflect typica1 Tang Dynasty architectural style that very important in architecture history. The eaves on upper part of the pagoda were rebuilt afterwards. A bell, which is 2.9 meters high, and 1 –56 meter in diameter, hangs on the second story. With simple and primitive shape, the bell was made in Tang Dynasty. In the treasure house of Chinese ancient architecture, the four pagodas in Zhengding are like four sparkling pearls. They are the cream of wisdom and intelligence of the ancient Chinese laboring people. It will inspire us to create even greater miracles with our own inte1ligehce and wisdom at the present time.