Chongsheng

The Eternal Landmark of Dali

Located approximately 1 kilometer north of Dali Ancient City, situated at the foot of the Yinglie Peak of Cangshan Mountain and facing the shimmering Erhai Lake to the east, the Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas are the quintessential symbol of Dali. Hailed as "China's most beautiful ancient pagoda group," this site is a National 5A-level tourist attraction and a National Key Cultural Relic,. The three pagodas stand in a tripod formation, creating a majestic silhouette against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and blue skies. As the only surviving large-scale pagoda group from the Tang Dynasty in China, they serve as a testament to the "Fragrant Buddha Country" of the ancient Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms.

The Three Towers: A Tripod of History

The central main tower, known as Qianxun Pagoda, was built during the reign of Nanzhao King Quanfengyou (824–859 AD). It stands 69.13 meters tall and is a 16-tier square dense-eave brick pagoda, modeled after the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an. Flanking the main tower are two smaller pagodas, built later during the Dali Kingdom period. These octagonal hollow brick pagodas stand 42.19 meters high with 10 tiers each. The architectural layout, with the large tower in front and the two smaller ones behind, forms a stable triangle that has withstood centuries of weathering and seismic activity.

A Miracle of Resilience

1.The history of the Three: Pagodas is a saga of survival. While the grand Chongsheng Temple complex—once housing thousands of monks and nearly 900 halls—was destroyed by war and fire during the Qing Dynasty, the three pagodas have miraculously survived numerous severe earthquakes over the last millennium. Legend has it that the pagodas were built to suppress the "dragons" of Erhai Lake to prevent floods, and their structural integrity (including the hollow tube structure of Qianxun Pagoda) is considered an architectural marvel of ancient China,.

The Reflection Pond and Royal Temple

One of the most photogenic spots in the complex is the Reflection Pond (Juying Chi). Here, the crystal-clear water captures the reflection of the three towers, the clouds, and the Cangshan mountains, creating a mesmerizing "Tower within a Tower" spectacle, especially beautiful in the morning or after rain. Behind the pagodas lies the reconstructed Chongsheng Temple, rebuilt in 2005 to restore the grandeur of the "Royal Temple." The complex climbs up the mountain slope, featuring magnificent halls like the Great Hall and the Hall of Avalokitesvara (Guanyin), allowing visitors to experience the solemn atmosphere of the "Buddhist Capital",.

Treasures of the Golden Winged Bird

2.During the restoration of Qianxun: Pagoda in 1955, over 700 Buddhist artifacts from the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms were discovered inside the tower's finial and base. These treasures include the famous Golden Winged Bird of Garuda (Dapeng Jinchi Niao) and the Gold Acuoye Guanyin, which are unique to Yunnan's esoteric Buddhism. These relics, now displayed in the site's Exhibition Hall, offer a profound glimpse into the artistic and spiritual zenith of the region.