Twin Pagodas at Chongxing Temple in Beizhen County of Liaoning Province
Located in the northeast part of Beizhen County near Jinzhou, the well-preserved twin pagodas are the most complete and magnificent examples of structures built during the Liao and Kin dynasties. The pagodas, facing each other at a distance of about forty meters, are identical multi-eaved structures with thirteen levels. The east pagoda, however, is 43.8 meters high, and the west one 42.7 meters high. The pedestals of both pagodas have brackets, rails and decorative lotus petals made of carved bricks. On the railings are carved swastika patterns, typical of pagoda ornaments of the Liao and Kin dynasties. Circling the pedestals are vivid sculptures of guardians, full of energy. Recesses in the middle of each side of the first storey contain statues of seated Buddha. The recesses are flanked by statues of bodhisattvas under canopies and carved images of flying apsarases. The first level of eaves is supported by carved brick brackets, and the other levels are made of layers of projecting bricks. The pagodas' steeples, composed of a lotus base, a bottle-shaped body, a spire and a precious bead, have remained almost intact.
