The distinctive architectural features of the Buddha Pavilion in the Summer Palace are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
First, building scale and structure
Building height and scale: The Foxiang Pavilion is located on a square platform 21 meters high on the front hill of Wanshou Mountain, with a total height of 40 meters (or 41 meters). This is an eight-sided, three-story four-eaves building, with eight huge iron pear wood Optimus pillars inside, with complex structure and magnificent momentum.
Architectural layout: As an important building in the Summer Palace, Buddha Pavilion is located on the central axis of Wanshou Mountain, overlooking Kunming Lake and Cloud Hall to the south, and Buddhist architecture Wisdom Sea to the north. It is one of the landmark attractions of the Summer Palace.
Second, architectural style and decoration
Architectural style: Foxiang Pavilion adopts typical ancient Chinese architectural style, mainly wooden structure, the roof is covered with golden glazed tiles, symbolizing the noble status of the royal family. The whole building presents a solemn, magnificent, resplendent characteristics.
Architectural decoration: The decoration of Buddha Incense Pavilion is very exquisite, the wall carvings are meticulous, full of a strong religious atmosphere. Each layer of the pavilion has a list of titles, such as “Style Yanfeng education”, “weather Zhaohui” and “clouds outside the sky incense”, each layer contains a profound cultural heritage.
Third, historical and cultural connotation
History: The Buddha Incense Pavilion was built in the sixteenth year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1751), originally planned to build a nine-story pagoda, but it was struck by lightning during the construction process, and was changed to build the Buddha Incense Pavilion. In the Qing Dynasty, Foxiang Pavilion was an important place for the royal family to pray for peace and security of the country and hold large-scale religious activities, which has important historical significance.
Cultural connotation: Foxiang Pavilion is not only a building, but also a carrier of Chinese culture. It embodies the exquisite skills of ancient Chinese architecture and the unique charm of royal culture, and is the product of the combination of Buddhism and Chinese culture.
Fourth, the view
Viewing location: The Foxiang Pavilion is built on the commanding heights of the Summer Palace, and you can have a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery for dozens of miles. Visitors can overlook the beautiful scenery of Kunming Lake and feel the beauty of the landscape gardens of the Summer Palace.
Fifth, other features
Buddha worship: Buddha Incense Pavilion enshrines the bronze cast gold wrapped thousand-hand Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva standing statue, like five meters high, weighing 10.000 pounds, for the Ming Dynasty Wanli years, with high cultural relics and artistic value.
Restoration and preservation: The Foxiang Pavilion was destroyed by British and French forces during the Opium War and rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the people’s government carried out many repairs and protection work on the Foxiang Pavilion, so that it has been preserved until now.
