Kaifeng citywalk｜Check-in at the oldest existing building in Kaifeng, the Fan Pagoda

🙋 This is Bianliang, bustling in the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, and the lively capital of the Song Dynasty in the Dream of the Capital. It is also the ancient capital of Kaifeng, filled with cultural relics and historical sites. When it comes to truly ancient relics in Kaifeng, the Fan Pagoda and the Iron Pagoda are legendary. 🏮 Historical Background: What impresses me most about the Fan Pagoda is the character 'Fan' (繁), which is pronounced 'pó' according to the introduction. It is named Fan Pagoda because it is located on Fan Terrace (Fan Tai) in Yuwangtai Park, Kaifeng. It is said that Shi Kuang, a blind musician from the Jin State during the Spring and Autumn period, often played ancient music here. The Fan Pagoda was built during the Northern Song Dynasty, over 1,000 years ago, and is the oldest surviving Buddhist building in Kaifeng. 🔥 Main Highlights: 1️⃣ The pagoda itself is an art treasure trove. The hexagonal shape of the pagoda represents the transition of Chinese pagodas from quadrilateral to octagonal forms. 2️⃣ The body of the Fan Pagoda is composed of nearly ten thousand Buddha bricks, each brick depicting a Buddha, including Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and musicians, totaling 108 types. It resembles the armor of a warrior, majestic and imposing. 3️⃣ The internal passageways of the pagoda are like a maze. To ascend the pagoda, one must climb from the left and right sides to reach the third level directly. However, to enter the second level or the top of the pagoda, one must spiral along the outer wall. Currently, it is not open to tourists, and one can only appreciate it from the outside. 4️⃣ There are over 200 existing inscriptions inside the pagoda, mainly from the Song Dynasty, with the most famous being the 'Three Classics' written by the Song Dynasty calligrapher Zhao Anren. The 'Three Classics' are stored on the upper and lower levels of the pagoda. 🎟 Ticket Price: 30 yuan. Since there is only this solitary pagoda, the overall visit time is less than an hour, making the single ticket relatively expensive. It is recommended to purchase the 80 yuan pass for the 10 attractions in the Song Capital Imperial City Resort Area. This pass allows unlimited access to 10 attractions including Wansui Mountain Song Martial Arts City, Qifeng Ancient Garden, China Han Garden, Kaifeng Ancient City Wall Scenic Area, Zhou Bridge and Bian River Ruins, Underground War Preparedness Granary, Shanxi-Shaanxi-Gansu Guild Hall, Yanqing Temple, Fan Pagoda, and Zhuxian Town Yue Temple, valid for 5 days. 📍 Address: East Yijie Street, Fan Pagoda, Yuwangtai District, Kaifeng City. This area is quite desolate in Kaifeng, with few dining options nearby, so it is advisable to bring some snacks. 🌺 Nearby Attractions: The Fan Pagoda Scenic Area is very niche, hidden in a corner of the ancient city of Kaifeng, with a small area. Besides the ancient Yuwangtai Park, there are no other scenic or cultural sites nearby. The solitary pagoda stands there, surrounded by lush seasonal plants, the ancient pagoda standing alone against the blue sky, exuding a sense of tranquility and serenity. This is the perfect place to visit ancient sites in Kaifeng.