Dali Three Pagodas

The Dali Three Pagodas, located in the Chongsheng Temple at the foot of the Cangshan Mountain, have a history of over 1,800 years. They have been eyewitnesses to Dali's history and embody the development of Buddhism in the area.

As the name implies, the Three Pagodas are made up of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle, an arrangement which is unique in China. In order to understand the pagodas more deeply, we visit the site with Zhang Hongxia who, although still a young lady, is already a senior tour guide with the Three Pagodas park. She says the pagodas are not only a masterpiece of architecture, but also a place full of national treasures.

"During restoration in the 1990s, we found more than 680 antiques in the main pagoda, the Qianxun Pagoda, including sculptures of Buddha made of gold, silver, wood and crystal; Buddhist writings; and more than 600 medicinal ingredients. These antiquities play an important role in explaining the ancient history of Dali City."

Study of the Three Pagodas and the cultural relics that have been excavated at the site provides significant data for exploring the history, religion, and art of the area. Today, travellers can also visit the Three Pagodas at night, when they are illuminated providing a fantastic scene.

Known for their resilience, the Three Pagodas have survived a few severe earthquakes. The local government nonetheless makes great efforts to ensure the pagodas remain as strong today as when they were first built.