Atlas
Three Pagodas of Dali
The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple in Dali — standing tall through dozens of violent earthquakes over a millennium, the spiritual landmark by which the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms formatted the wild southwest frontier with grand brick geometry.
Prefecture: Dali
Province: YunnanThree white tiered pagodas stand among trees by a lake, the middle one tallest, with a long wall at their foot, snow-capped mountains and low cloud behind, and their reflections on the blue water.
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- Qianxun Pagoda of Three Pagodas in Dali
Standing 69.13 metres, Qianxun Pagoda was built under the Nanzhao kingdom, shares structural links with Xi'an's Small Wild Goose Pagoda, and yielded over a thousand relics including a gold Acuoye Guanyin.
- North & South Twin Pagodas of Dali
Built during the Dali kingdom, the twin octagonal pagodas of ten storeys rise 42.19 metres, forming a triangle with Qianxun Pagoda and surviving dozens of earthquakes over the centuries.
- Reflection Pool of Three Pagodas in Dali
Clear water mirrors the three pagodas and the snowy peaks of Cangshan, creating one of Dali's most classic postcard views.
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- Chongsheng Temple Rain-Copper Guanyin Palace in Dali
A royal temple of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms praised for splendour beyond human craft, Chongsheng Temple has a recast standing Rain-Copper Guanyin weighing about five tonnes.
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- Qianxun Pagoda Built under Quan FengyouDuring Quan Fengyou's reign, c. 824–859 CE
The main Qianxun Pagoda was begun during King Quan Fengyou's Nanzhao reign and became a major Buddhist monument of the period.
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- Dali Completes the Three Pagodas1108–1172 CE
During the Dali Kingdom period from 1108 to 1172, the two smaller octagonal pagodas at Chongsheng Temple were built beside the main tower, forming the Three Pagodas ensemble.