Known
as the Chongsheng Santa and situated on top of the ruins of Chongsheng
Monastery, the Three Pagodas lie one kilometer northwest of Dali. Located
on the slope of Mount Cangshan, and overlooking Erhai Lake, the Three
pagodas are a must-see in your Dali tour.
Qianxun Pagoda, the main and highest pagoda of the three, is a 16-story
pagoda measuring 69 meters (230 feet) in height. Like the Small Wild Goose
Pagoda in Shaanxi Province's capital Xian, it reflects the typical ancient
architecture of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
The
first tier of it, about 13 meters (43 feet) tall, is the tallest out of
16 tiers. The remaining 15 tiers are basically of the same structure.
To use the 2nd story as an example, it is about 2 meters tall and 10 meters
wide. Four points of each eave are turned upwards. In the middle of its
west and east facing sides, two Buddhist niches are placed, each with
a joss inside. Its north and south facing sides feature two window-like
holes. In the 3rd story, niches are found in south and north facing sides,
and its west and east facing sides have window holes. The pattern of each
tier above change as the 2nd and 3rdstory gradually decrease in size.
The 8 meter tall 16th tier is one seventh of the whole pagoda with a cuprum
gourd bottle placed on its top. When seeing the tall and straight top,
you can almost get the feeling of going beyond earthliness and the urge
to fling yourself into the sky.
The
two smaller pagodas to the north and south of the main one are 42 meters
(135 feet) tall and divided in 10 stories. These pagodas are elegant and
feature exquisite technology, and were built during the Five Dynasties
(907-960). After the discovery of the more than 600 rare relics of the
Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom in the three pagodas in 1978, they also became
hot tourist attractions.
The two small pagodas stand 97 meters (312 feet) apart. The three of them
stretch magnificently into the sky like three giant swords. Here you can
get a taste of the ancient architectural art and culture of the Bai ethnic
group, and enjoy - even buy your own - marble wares to your heart's content
Admission Fee: RMB 52
Recommended Time for a Visit: Two hours
Opening Hours: 08:30 to 18:00
Known
as the Chongsheng Santa and situated on top of the ruins of Chongsheng
Monastery, the Three Pagodas lie one kilometer northwest of Dali. Located
on the slope of Mount Cangshan, and overlooking Erhai Lake, the Three
pagodas are a must-see in your Dali tour.
The
first tier of it, about 13 meters (43 feet) tall, is the tallest out of
16 tiers. The remaining 15 tiers are basically of the same structure.
To use the 2nd story as an example, it is about 2 meters tall and 10 meters
wide. Four points of each eave are turned upwards. In the middle of its
west and east facing sides, two Buddhist niches are placed, each with
a joss inside. Its north and south facing sides feature two window-like
holes. In the 3rd story, niches are found in south and north facing sides,
and its west and east facing sides have window holes. The pattern of each
tier above change as the 2nd and 3rdstory gradually decrease in size.
The 8 meter tall 16th tier is one seventh of the whole pagoda with a cuprum
gourd bottle placed on its top. When seeing the tall and straight top,
you can almost get the feeling of going beyond earthliness and the urge
to fling yourself into the sky.
The
two smaller pagodas to the north and south of the main one are 42 meters
(135 feet) tall and divided in 10 stories. These pagodas are elegant and
feature exquisite technology, and were built during the Five Dynasties
(907-960). After the discovery of the more than 600 rare relics of the
Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom in the three pagodas in 1978, they also became
hot tourist attractions.