Iron Pagoda Park (Kaifeng)

The Iron Pagoda stands in Iron Pagoda Park on Beimen Street in Kaifeng, Henan, about 75 km east of Zhengzhou. Kaifeng was the capital of the Northern Song dynasty, and the pagoda was completed in 1049 CE as part of the Kaibao Temple complex, replacing an earlier wooden pagoda that burned down after a lightning strike. Its popular name comes from its colour, since the exterior is clad in brown glazed bricks that resemble iron, though the structure is brick and not metal. The thirteen-storey octagonal tower rises about 55 metres and has survived Yellow River floods that buried much of old Kaifeng, along with wars and earthquakes, and it leans slightly. The glazed bricks are moulded with a wide range of designs, including Buddha figures, celestial musicians, flowers, animals and dragons, and many different patterns are recorded across the surface. The pagoda is entered by a door on the ground floor, and a spiral staircase inside allows visitors to climb to upper levels, from which small windows give views over the park and city. The temple that once surrounded it is largely gone, and the tower today stands in a landscaped park with gardens, a small collection of steles and ancillary buildings. Restoration has included repairing bricks and reinforcing the structure, and some original glazed bricks have been replaced by replicas while others are protected. The pagoda is best seen as an outdoor monument, with little interior exhibition beyond the climb itself. Admission to the park is around CNY 50-60, and hours run from about 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, which should be verified locally. Kaifeng is easily reached from Zhengzhou by high-speed rail, and the pagoda pairs well with other Song-themed sites in the city. Signage is available in Chinese and some English.