Chigang Pagoda
{{Short description|Pagoda in Guangzhou, China}}
{{chinese
| pic = File:Chigang Pagoda night.jpg
| s = {{linktext|赤|岗|塔}}
| t = 赤崗塔
| p = Chìgǎngtǎ
| j = Cek³gong¹ Taap³
| l = Red Stone Hill Pagoda
| y = Chekgōng Taap
}}
Chigang Pagoda, also known as the Red Stone Hill Pagoda{{cite web |url=http://ebook.lib.hku.hk/CTWE/B36599311/ |title=The treaty ports of China and Japan. A complete guide to the open ports of those countries, together with Peking, Yedo, Hongkong and Macao. |publisher=The University of Hong Kong Libraries |accessdate=2019-08-01 |date=1867 |archive-date=2017-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704120627/http://ebook.lib.hku.hk/CTWE/B36599311/ |url-status=dead }} or Honam Pogoda, is a famous pagoda located in Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China.{{cite web|url=http://www.gz2010.cn/09/1104/16/5N9O9RF30078023A.html |title=Chigang Pagoda the Official Website of the 16th Asian Games |accessdate=2011-01-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524154337/http://www.gz2010.cn/09/1104/16/5N9O9RF30078023A.html |archivedate=2011-05-24 }}
History
Chigang Pagoda was built in 1619, during the reign of the Wanli Emperor of the Ming dynasty, at a time when fengshui influences were pervasive in Chinese architecture. Together with the Pazhou Pagoda (Whampoa Pagoda) and Lotus Pagoda, it is said that the three pagodas were built at the mouth of the Pearl River to bring good luck to Guangzhou and the surrounding area.{{cite web | url=http://www.hudong.com/wiki/%E8%B5%A4%E5%B2%97%E5%A1%94 | title=赤岗塔 (Chigang Pagoda) | language=zh | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825000824/http://www.hudong.com/wiki/%E8%B5%A4%E5%B2%97%E5%A1%94 | archive-date=2012-08-25}}{{self-published source|date=March 2024}}
The building is made from red sandstone.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} The style of the Chigang Pagoda is influenced by the Ming dynasty architecture of the era. It was built to mirror the Pazhou Pagoda in the vicinity as well.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}
Architecture
The pagoda is built in an octagonal shape. It stands {{convert|53.7|m|sp=us}} tall. The base has a diameter of {{convert|12.5|m|sp=us}}. The pagoda has nine exterior floor sections.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} Inside the pagoda, it consist of 17 levels which keeps the nine sections together.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}
Restoration
Because of neglect and exposure to the elements over the centuries, the Chigang Pagoda deteriorated. The external wall cracked, the foundation started to sink, and the floors became uneven due to neglect. At one stage, the pagoda leaned about 1.05 m from the vertical.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}
In 1996 the Guangzhou authorities started work on its restoration, but this was never completed due to a lack of funds. In 1998 the Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Management raised RMB 1.60 million to fund restoration of the Pagoda. The restoration and inspection was completed in mid-1999.{{citation needed| date=March 2024}}
Transport
The pagoda can be reached by rail. It is near Canton Tower Station (previously called Chigang Pagoda Station) on line 3 and Kecun Station on line 3 and line 8 of the Guangzhou Metro. However, the pagoda is not open to the public.
References
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{{Guangzhou}}
{{coord|23|6|15.6|N|113|19|2.3|E|display=title|region:CN_type:landmark}}
Category:Buddhist temples in Guangzhou
Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1619