Lingyan Temple｜Tomb Pagoda Forest

Located on the west side of Lingyan Temple, the Tomb Pagoda Forest is the resting place of eminent monks throughout history and is the largest and oldest stone pagoda forest in China. There are currently 167 tomb pagodas and 81 epitaphs, covering the Northern Wei, Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. It ranks second only to the Shaolin Temple Pagoda Forest in quantity but is the largest and only all-stone pagoda forest in the country. All tomb pagodas are constructed from stone, forming a sharp contrast with the brick pagodas of Shaolin Temple, highlighting their ancient and solid character. The pagoda forest dates back to the Northern Wei dynasty (such as the Patriarch Pagoda), several centuries earlier than the Shaolin Temple Pagoda Forest (which began in the Tang dynasty). Among them, the Tang dynasty Huichong Pagoda (built during the Tianbao era) is the oldest existing single tomb pagoda, confirming Lingyan Temple’s status as the foremost of the "Four Great Famous Temples in the Country" since the Tang dynasty. The tomb pagodas vary in form and are mainly divided into six types: 1️⃣ Square stele shape (the most numerous, from the Yuan and Ming periods); 2️⃣ Bell shape; 3️⃣ Drum shape (representing the time of the monk’s passing: bell shape for before noon, drum shape for after noon, symbolizing the "morning bell and evening drum"); 4️⃣ Lama pagoda (covered bowl style); 5️⃣ Sutra pillar style; 6️⃣ Pavilion style (only 3 pagodas, with Huichong Pagoda being the most typical).