The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple

👍The Three Pagodas, officially known as the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, are located in Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. They are one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Dali's history. The temple is named after the three ancient pagodas in front of it, which are iconic landmarks of Dali.

🌈The main pagoda, called Qianxun Pagoda, is about 69.13m high and has 16 stories. It is a square, dense-eave brick pagoda built during the Nanzhao Kingdom of the Tang Dynasty (around the 9th century AD). The pagoda has a square shape and a simple and solemn appearance. It once housed Buddhist relics and scriptures. The architectural style of Qianxun Pagoda is influenced by the culture of the Central Plains, while also incorporating the characteristics of the local Bai people.

🌈The two smaller pagodas to the north and south are about 42.19m high and have 10 stories. They are octagonal, dense-eave brick pagodas built during the Dali Kingdom of the Song Dynasty (around the 10th-12th centuries AD). The two smaller pagodas are symmetrically distributed, forming a stable triangular layout with the main pagoda. The smaller pagodas are beautifully shaped and decorated with Buddhist elements such as Buddha statues and lotus flowers.

Post by Penelope Carmichael | Mar 16, 2025