Live Your Best Lives
Zhusheng Temple, formerly known as Yingxiang Temple and also known as Bowl Temple, is a huge building complex on Jiuzu Mountain. It was founded by Monk Xuyun himself through donations from home and abroad. Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty named it "Huguo Zhusheng Temple". It is a large monastery with a total area of 133,500 square meters. In 1984, the State Council designated Zhusheng Temple as a national key Buddhist temple in the Han area and a venue for Buddhist open activities.
Upon entering the main gate of Zhusheng Temple, the first thing you see is the crescent-shaped pond for releasing animals. This pond was built to encourage pilgrims to accumulate merit. Between the ponds stands the Treasure-Calming Pavilion, also known as the Octagonal Pavilion. Buddhist practice has the "Eightfold Path," which states that following the eightfold path can lead one from one shore to the other.
A panoramic view of Jizu Mountain is painted on the screen wall opposite the octagonal pavilion, offering a panoramic view of the Buddhist temples and monasteries of Jizu Mountain. As you ascend past the octagonal pavilion, the large stone on the right is the Cloud-Moving Stone. Legend has it that when the release pond was excavated for the construction of Zhusheng Temple, Master Xuyun saw that the stone was immovable, so he used his energies to move it to its current location. Directly opposite the Cloud-Moving Stone are two towering cedar trees and the Heavenly King Hall. The lintels of the front and rear gates, facing the release pond, are inscribed with the couplets: "Take a step back and think" and "How many times can you come back?"
Dali has a subtropical monsoon climate with dry winters and wet summers, a low-latitude plateau climate. The best time to visit is from March to November, when you can watch the sunrise. Dali's mild climate makes it feel like spring year-round, so you can enjoy mountain climbing and sunrise viewing in spring, summer, and autumn.
Octagonal Pavilion, Heavenly King Hall, Patriarch Hall, Medicine King Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and Jialan Hall;
It is recommended to play for 2-3 hours
Free and open
08:00-18:00
The Consecrated Temple in Dali is a prominent Buddhist site with deep cultural and spiritual significance. It has been a place of worship for centuries and plays an important role in the local Buddhist community.
The Consecrated Temple is located in Dali, Yunnan Province. It can be accessed by taxi from Dali Old Town, or by taking a bus or walking if you're nearby.
The temple is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to visit, as the temple is less crowded and the light for photography is softer.
The entrance fee is approximately 10 RMB. Tickets can be purchased at the temple entrance. It's not typically necessary to buy tickets in advance.
Booking tickets in advance is not required. You can buy them on the day of your visit at the temple entrance.
Plan to spend 1-2 hours exploring the temple, including the surrounding grounds and taking time for reflection and photography.
Guided tours are available, typically in Chinese, but some English-speaking guides may be available. Audio guides are also an option, depending on the availability.
Start by visiting the main prayer hall, then explore the surrounding shrines and gardens. Finish by walking through the courtyards to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Night visits and light shows are not available. The temple closes at 5:00 PM, so it’s best to visit during the day.
The temple can be busy during weekends and public holidays. The least crowded times are early mornings on weekdays.
Basic facilities are available, including public toilets. There are no large food or shopping areas inside the temple, but small rest areas are available for visitors to relax.
The temple is accessible, but there are steps leading to certain areas. Elderly visitors or those with mobility issues may find some parts of the temple challenging.
Both cash and mobile payments (like Alipay and WeChat Pay) are accepted at the temple entrance. Credit cards are not commonly accepted.
Yes, vegetarian and vegan options are available in many local restaurants, and some places may offer halal food as well.
Yes, souvenir shops in Dali Old Town offer local handicrafts such as pottery, silk, tea, and traditional Yunnanese art.
After visiting the Consecrated Temple, you can take a taxi or public bus to Dali Old Town or Erhai Lake. Dali has a bus station and train station for onward travel within Yunnan.
