Iron Pagoda Park
铁塔公园
The Glazed Pagoda of Kaibao Temple, completed in the first year of the Huangyou era of the Northern Song (1049). Its brown glazed bricks look like iron, and it has stood for nearly a thousand years. It is a symbol of the city of Kaifeng.
The Iron Pagoda lies within the Iron Pagoda Park in the northeast corner of the old city. It was the relic pagoda of the Northern Song Kaibao Temple, completed in 1049. It has an octagonal, thirteen-story design and stands about 56 metres tall. It is built entirely of brown glazed bricks, which make it look like iron from a distance, hence the name “Iron Pagoda.” It is the tallest glazed brick pagoda in China and one of the first national key cultural relic sites. More than 50 types of glazed decorations appear on its brick surfaces, including flying apsaras, qilin, bodhisattvas and flowers. It has survived earthquakes, floods and artillery fire for nearly a thousand years, and is known as the “First Pagoda Under Heaven.” Inside, 168 spiral steps lead to the top. A separate climbing ticket is required (about 20 yuan), and access may be limited on holidays. From the pagoda windows, you can look over the old city and the city walls. The park also has the Welcoming Hall (which houses a Song-dynasty bronze Welcoming Buddha), the Lingan Courtyard, the Iron Pagoda Lake and lotus ponds, creating a quiet setting. Admission is about 40 yuan. In peak season, there is an evening “Iron Pagoda Light Show” (tickets sold separately). Getting there: a taxi from the city center takes about 10 minutes, and several bus routes stop at the Iron Pagoda Park station. The park is next to the Minglun Campus of Henan University, a complex of modern buildings that can be visited on the same trip. A visit takes about an hour. Notes: the climbing stairs are narrow and steep, allowing only one person at a time. Those with a fear of heights or limited stamina should not climb. The inside of the pagoda is dim, so watch your step.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00–18:00 (closes at 17:30 in winter)
Nearby sights
- Henan University Minglun Campus
- Shuanglong Lane
- Longting (Dragon Pavilion) Park
- Former Residence of Liu Qingxia
- Wansuishan Song Dynasty Martial Arts City
- Kaifeng East Mosque
- Shudian Street
- Song Dynasty Imperial Street