Lingxiao Pagoda (Tianning Temple)

Lingxiao Pagoda, also known as the pagoda of Tianning Temple, rises above Zhenzhou South Street in the old city of Zhengding County, about 20 km north of Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province. It is one of the four famous ancient pagodas of Zhengding and is a national key heritage site. The nine-storey octagonal structure combines brick and timber elements and stands about 40 metres tall, with a tapering silhouette and projecting eaves at each level that visitors can study from the base. Its origins are traced to the Tang dynasty, with the present form reflecting reconstruction in the Song and Jin periods, and the upper storeys retain traces of wooden balconies and carved brick details. The grounds are compact, so a visit typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes, which makes the pagoda a convenient stop between Longxing Temple, Kaiyuan Temple and the old city walls. The best photographs are from the street side in late afternoon, when the sun lights the brickwork, and from the courtyard looking upward to capture the tiered eaves. Crowds are modest throughout the year, with brief increases when tour groups pass through on Zhengding day trips. Admission is CNY 15. Opening hours run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM in winter and until 6:00 PM in summer. Visitors travel from Shijiazhuang by intercity bus or DiDi, taking about 40 to 60 minutes, and can combine this stop with the other pagodas and temples within walking or short taxi distance. Information boards give some context in Chinese, so a translation app is useful for non-Chinese readers.