Landmark
Iron Pagoda
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
The Iron Pagoda, despite its name, is not made of iron but of glazed brick tiles that give it a metallic sheen. Originally built in 1049 during the Northern Song Dynasty, this 13-story octagonal structure stands as a testament to ancient Chinese engineering. Visitors can climb the narrow interior stairs for panoramic views of Kaifeng. The pagoda's resilient glazed tiles have protected it from erosion and war, making it one of the few Song-era structures still standing in the city.
Don't miss
- Climb to the top for a bird's-eye view of Kaifeng's modern skyline.
- Examine the intricate glazed tiles depicting Buddhist motifs and floral patterns.
- Visit the surrounding park, which features a small museum with artifacts from the pagoda's history.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Iron Pagoda
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inHue Royal Tombs Tour: Visit Best Pagoda & King's Mausoleums5★ · 59 travelers3–5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$17 per personSee dates →
Most bookedPhnom Penh City Tour, Silver Pagoda, Genocide Museum, Killing Fields4.9★ · 130 travelers~5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$66 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleHue: Royal Tombs Tour - Visit 3 Best Tombs & Pagoda5★ · 26 travelers~5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$28 per personSee dates →More attractions in Kaifeng