Chongsheng Three Pagodas

Introducing Chongsheng Three Pagodas
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, located in Dali District, Yunnan province, is one of China’s Grade 5A Scenic Zones, which embodies an integration of mountain & sea scenery, historical relics, Buddhist culture, and leisure & vacationing function.

Chongsheng Three Pagodas Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Chongsheng Santa 崇圣三塔
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, Buddhism
• Opening Hours: 07:00-19:00 from May to Oct; 07:20-18:30 from Nov to Apr
• Entrance Fee: ¥75
• Address: Northern suburb of Dali Old Town, Dali, Yunnan Province

What to expect at Chongsheng Three Pagodas

Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple was originally built during the Kaiyuan reign of Tang Dynasty (713-741AD). Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple was a famous royal monastery for the consecutive Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom. A total of nine kings of Dali Kingdom abandoned worldly life and studied Buddhism here.

Chongsheng Temple was once the royal temple of the Kingdom of Dali, originally built in the 9th century. At its height, the temple included 891 rooms, 11,400 Buddhist iconographies, three pavilions, and seven buildings. The temple was severely damaged by earthquakes and conflict during the rule of the Qing Dynasty. The temple was rebuilt in 2005.

The Three Pagodas are made of brick and covered with white mud. The main pagoda, known as Qianxun Pagoda, reportedly built during 823-840 CE by king Quan Fengyou of the Kingdom of Nanzhao, is 69.6 meters (227 feet) high. The other two sibling pagodas, built about one hundred years later, stand to the northwest and southwest of Qianxun Pagoda. They are 42.19 meters (140 feet) high. A lake is located behind the pagodas. Named Reflection Pond, the pond is known to be able to reflect images of the Three Pagodas.

The ancient people built pagodas usually for three purposes: to advocate Buddhism; to guard against disasters and subdue evil things; and to admire the view. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple integrate all these three purposes, represent the peaking perfection of the art of pagoda building, and therefore have great historical, cultural and architectural values.

How to get to Chongsheng Three Pagodas
• Take Chongshengsi Bus Transit to the pagodas directly.
• Take bus C7 to Santa Lukou Station or bus No. 19 or C10 to Santa Gongyuan Station.
• It takes 20 to 40 minutes by walking from Dali Old Town to the pagodas.

Additional travel advice on Chongsheng Three Pagodas
• UV is very strong in Dali even in winter, so please wear sunscreen, hat and sunglasses during daytime.