Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple

Perched at the foot of Peak Yingle, about one kilometer (0.6 mile) northwest of the Dali Ancient City, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple is the most spectacular pagoda complex in south China. As a good reflection of Dali culture, its long history endows it a top attractions in Yunnan. Composed of a larger and two smaller pagodas, Three Pagodas forms a symmetrical triangle, being one part of Cang’er Scenic Area.

What to see

Chongsheng Temple

Located in the northwest of Dali Ancient City, Chongsheng Temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Avalokitesvara). Yet the original temple, which was named the “Tianlong Temple” in Jin Yong’s Tian Long Ba Bu (The Demigods and the Semidevils), has been ruined. But the Three Pagodas are remained till today. Its 4 kilometers long axis is the longest of any temple axis in China. Based on “Zhang Shengwen Scroll Painting”, it has the largest number of gilded Buddha images.

Qianxun Pagoda

The major pagoda, Qianxun Pagoda, also the biggest of the three, is a typical multi-eave structure built in the year of Baohe during Tang Dynasty (618-907). Due to its location of being in the middle, it is also called Middle Tower. It is a hollow brick tower of 16 layers and 69.13 meters in height. Each corner of the tower top is carved with a copper curassow, legend has it that it was to suppress the monsters in Lake Erhai.

Other two pagodas

The other two smaller pagodas, each of which has a distance of 70 meters from the major one, stand in the southwest and northwest, facing each other forming a tripod together with Qianxun Pagoda.

Built during the Five Dynasties (907-960A.D), these two are dense-eave octagonal 42.19 meters with 10 storeys, appeared later than the bigger one. These two towers are covered with a layer of white mud. Stone statues of Buddha are enshrined in the pagodas in the second and eighth floors.

Huge cast bell

Known as one treasure in the temple, Nanzhao Jianji Bell is 3.86 meters high and weighs 16 tons. Xu Xiake, a famous geographer in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) had referred the bell in his novels.

Bronze Rain Statue of the Goddess of Mercy

There is a bronze statue in the Hall of the Goddess of Mercy. It is 8.2 meters high and weighs 11 tons. This statue had been recast in 1999 when Macao was returned to China.