The Small Pagoda at Ningcheng of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
The pagoda is located on the site of the Liao Dynasty's middle capital in the county town of Ningcheng. In comparison with Daming Pagoda, which is commonly known as the Big Pagoda, it is called the Small Pagoda. The octagonal, multi-eaved, brick pagoda has thirteen storeys. Its huge first storey was supported by a double-girdled Sumeru pedestal. Carved on the main body and pedestal of the pagoda are statues of Buddha, bodhisattvas, celestial guardians, flying apsarases and other ornamental patterns. The first level of the pagoda eave has brick brackets and rafters, and the other levels above were built of bricks piled together. The pagoda steeple is in the shape of an inverted bowl of the Lamaist dagoba style. Built more than a thousand years ago, it is one of the most outstanding architectural masterpieces among the pagodas built in the Liao and Kin dynasties.
