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0670 Across Asia : vol.1
Across Asia : vol.1 / Page 670 (Grayscale High Resolution Image)

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[Photo] The »glass pagoda» at Kai-feng-fu.

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doi: 10.20676/00000221
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C. G. MANNF.RHFIM

The »glass pagoda» al Kai ; feng f iu.

end in large, uninhabited spaces. On one of these large spaces in the N part of the town an old temple, said to have been established in the former palace of the Sung dynasty, stands effectively on a high, stone terrace. It is approached by a road between two stinking ponds, in the green, slimy water of which long rows of women rinse their washing. A broad stone stairway leads to the steep terrace of the »lung ting» (= dragon's hall) . The principal god of the temple is seated on a huge block of stone, artistically carved with dragons and other heraldic ornaments in bas relief. The emperors of the Sung dynasty are said to have used it as a throne.

Not very far from it there is an old Buddhist temple further E, called »the glass pagoda» owing to a very high tower of many storeys built of glazed bricks. It is said to have been built by the Emperor Tai chung of the T'ang dynasty. The temple buildings, lying quite close to the tower, are in ruins as a consequence, it is said, of an attempt at looting a few dozen years ago. In the middle of one of the buildings the remains of 3 large seated images of clay can be seen, while the corners and side walls are occupied by numerous smaller ones, also seated. There are others above them in the form of glazed tiles let into the wall. A tall, roughly cast image of copper (q, times as large as life) is situated in another building and a big church bell, richly ornamented in bas relief, lies in the plain outside, half buried in the ground. — Of the other sights the examination hall (»kung yen»), now abandoned, is worth mentioning. There is accomodation for no less than to,000 candidates in its innu-

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