The Golden Giant of the Moonlight City: Spinning the World's Largest Prayer Wheel at Dukezong

A Golden Landmark on Tortoise Hill

1.Towering over the Dukezong Ancient Town in: Shangri-La, the Big Prayer Wheel stands majestically atop Guishan Park (Tortoise Hill Park). Bathed in the first rays of the morning sun or the golden illumination at night, this colossal structure is not just a geographical landmark but a spiritual beacon for the region,. With an altitude of approximately 3,300 meters, it holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest and heaviest pure copper gilded prayer wheel in the world. The cylinder itself soars to a height of 21 meters and weighs a staggering 60 tons, resembling a multistory building in size,. Its golden body is intricately reliefs with sacred images of the Four Bodhisattvas—Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Avalokitesvara, and Ksitigarbha—along with the Eight Treasures of Buddhism, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship,.

The Power of 1.24 Million Mantras

2.The true spiritual weight of the Big: Prayer Wheel lies within. It is said to contain 1.24 million varying scriptures, mantras, and incantations, including the six-syllable mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum",. In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, spinning a prayer wheel is considered equivalent to chanting the sutras contained inside. Therefore, locals and pilgrims believe that a single complete rotation of this giant wheel carries the merit of chanting the mantra 1.24 million times. This act is performed to pray for happiness, well-being, peace, and the accumulation of virtue, making it a profound ritual of devotion rather than a mere physical activity,.

A Ritual of Unity and Strength

Due to its immense size and weight, the Big Prayer Wheel is unique in that it requires collective effort to operate. It is designed to be spun by multiple people working together. Visitors often find themselves joining hands with locals and strangers alike, pulling the giant wheel clockwise. As the cylinder begins to turn slowly, the rhythmic sound of the metal and the collective energy create a powerful sense of unity and shared purpose. This experience of "strength in numbers" transcends nationality and background, allowing everyone to participate in a moment of sincere prayer and cultural immersion,.

Panoramic Views of the Moonlight City

3.Located at the summit of Guishan: Park, the platform surrounding the prayer wheel offers one of the best vantage points in Shangri-La. To the east, you can gaze upon the rebuilt Dukezong Ancient Town, also known as the "City of Moonlight," with its traditional Tibetan architecture and slate roads,. To the west, the view extends to new Tibetan villages and distant green mountains. The site is particularly enchanting at night when the ancient town is lit up like a sea of stars, mirroring the galaxy above, while the prayer wheel itself glows with a sacred golden light,. Standing here provides a perfect blend of spiritual solemnity and breathtaking highland scenery.