{"id":743,"date":"2026-08-30T05:52:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T05:52:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=743"},"modified":"2026-08-30T05:52:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T05:52:36","slug":"the-three-pagodas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=743","title":{"rendered":"The Three Pagodas"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">The <strong>Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple<\/strong> (\u5d07\u5723\u5bfa\u4e09\u5854) is the most iconic landmark in Dali, Yunnan \u2014 and the only <strong>5A-rated scenic area<\/strong> in the Dali Prefecture. It sits about 1.5 km north of Dali Old Town, backed by Cangshan Mountain and facing Erhai Lake.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 data-eusoft-scrollable-element=\"1\">\ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f The Three Pagodas<\/h3>\n<div class=\"table markdown-table\" data-v-01af594f=\"\" data-v-d0d59810=\"\">\n<div class=\"sticky-release\" data-v-13fde6a9=\"\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<div class=\"sticky-release-rail\" data-v-13fde6a9=\"\">\n<div class=\"sticky-release-header\" data-v-13fde6a9=\"\">\n<header class=\"table-actions\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<div class=\"table-actions-content\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"table-container\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<table data-v-01af594f=\"\" data-extentions-extra-tablecapture-id=\"716638\">\n<thead data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<th align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Pagoda<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Name<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Height<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Style<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Era<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong data-v-01af594f=\"\">Main<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Qianxun Pagoda (\u5343\u5bfb\u5854)<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">69.13 m<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">16-story square, hollow brick<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Nanzhao Kingdom (~824\u2013859 AD)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong data-v-01af594f=\"\">South<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\u2014<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">42.19 m<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">10-story octagonal, hollow brick<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Dali Kingdom (~1108\u20131172 AD)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong data-v-01af594f=\"\">North<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\u2014<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">42.19 m<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">10-story octagonal, hollow brick<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Dali Kingdom (~1108\u20131172 AD)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">The main pagoda follows <strong>Tang Dynasty architecture<\/strong>. On its front screen wall are the four characters <em>&#8220;Yong Zhen Shan Chuan&#8221;<\/em> (\u6c38\u9547\u5c71\u5ddd \u2014 &#8220;Forever Guarding Mountains and Rivers&#8221;), inscribed by a Ming dynasty nobleman. The two smaller pagodas reflect <strong>Song Dynasty style<\/strong>, with upturned eaves and a pale stone-lime finish that makes them look like jade pillars.<\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">Remarkably, all three have survived multiple major earthquakes over 1,000+ years. A 1514 earthquake reportedly cracked the main pagoda by two feet, yet it &#8220;healed&#8221; itself within ten days \u2014 a local legend that underscores its structural resilience.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-eusoft-scrollable-element=\"1\">\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f What to See in the Complex<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Three Pagodas Reflection Park<\/strong> \u2014 The best photo spot. Go in the morning when the water is calmest for mirror-like reflections.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Mahavira Hall (\u5927\u96c4\u5b9d\u6bbf)<\/strong> \u2014 The largest hall, housing a bronze Shakyamuni Buddha and narrative murals from the Dali Kingdom period.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Rain Copper Guanyin Hall<\/strong> \u2014 Features a tall bronze Guanyin statue in Nanzhao style.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Dapeng Golden Wing Bird Plaza<\/strong> \u2014 The mythical Garuda bird, a guardian symbol of Dali.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Nanzhao Jianji Great Bell Tower<\/strong> \u2014 Home to Yunnan&#8217;s largest cast bronze bell.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Wanghai Tower (\u671b\u6d77\u697c)<\/strong> \u2014 The highest point in the complex. Most visitors miss it, but it offers panoramic views over the pagodas, Dali Old Town, and Erhai Lake.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 data-eusoft-scrollable-element=\"1\">\ud83c\udfab Tickets &amp; Hours<\/h3>\n<div class=\"table markdown-table\" data-v-01af594f=\"\" data-v-d0d59810=\"\">\n<div class=\"sticky-release\" data-v-13fde6a9=\"\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<div class=\"sticky-release-rail\" data-v-13fde6a9=\"\">\n<div class=\"sticky-release-header\" data-v-13fde6a9=\"\">\n<header class=\"table-actions\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<div class=\"table-actions-content\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<div class=\"icon-button\" data-v-1005b780=\"\" data-v-868ea423=\"\">\n<div class=\"kimi-tooltip tooltip-bottom icon-button-tooltip bottom\" data-v-5f9e9bf6=\"\" data-v-1005b780=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"icon-button table-actions-icon\" data-v-1005b780=\"\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"table-container\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<table data-v-01af594f=\"\" data-extentions-extra-tablecapture-id=\"844088\">\n<thead data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<th align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Item<\/th>\n<th class=\"\" align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Details<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td class=\"\" align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong data-v-01af594f=\"\">Entrance fee<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">CNY 75\u2013121 (varies by channel\/season)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong data-v-01af594f=\"\">Shuttle cart<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">~CNY 25\u201335 round-trip<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong data-v-01af594f=\"\">Audio guide<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">~CNY 20\u201330 (Chinese\/English\/Japanese\/Korean)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong class=\"\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Opening hours<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">07:10\u201319:00 (May 1 \u2013 Oct 7); 07:30\u201318:30 (off-season)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong class=\"\">2026 Special:<\/strong> A year pass costs only <strong class=\"\">CNY 120<\/strong> (valid until June 30, 2027), allowing unlimited entries with ID + facial recognition and VIP lane access.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 data-eusoft-scrollable-element=\"1\">\ud83d\udeb6 Visiting Tips<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Duration:<\/strong> 2\u20133 hours to walk the full temple grounds.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Best time:<\/strong> Morning for front-facing pagoda photos (good light); afternoon for reflection-park portraits.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>You cannot enter or climb the pagodas<\/strong> \u2014 they are exterior viewing only.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Wear comfortable shoes<\/strong> \u2014 there are uphill paths. Sun protection is essential.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-eusoft-scrollable-element=\"1\">\ud83d\ude8c How to Get There<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>From Dali Old Town:<\/strong> Walk\/ride ~20\u201330 min north; or take Bus 1, 19, or the Three Pagodas special line (~15 min); taxi ~CNY 15.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>From Dali Railway Station:<\/strong> Bus 4 or C7 (~30\u201340 min); taxi ~CNY 40\u201350 (20 min).<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>From Dali Airport:<\/strong> Airport bus to Old Town, then transfer.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-eusoft-scrollable-element=\"1\">\ud83d\udcf8 Photography Tips<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Front view:<\/strong> Morning light, blue sky background.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong class=\"\">Reflection pool:<\/strong> Go early before wind disturbs the water.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Wanghai Tower:<\/strong> The hidden gem for panoramic shots \u2014 don&#8217;t skip it.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Winter (Oct\u2013Mar):<\/strong> Snow-capped Cangshan peaks add drama to your background.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-eusoft-scrollable-element=\"1\">\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Nearby Combo Itinerary<\/h3>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">The Three Pagodas pairs easily with:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Dali Old Town<\/strong> (1.5 km south)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Cangshan Mountain cableways<\/strong> (west)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Erhai Lake ecological corridor<\/strong> (east)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Xizhou Town &amp; Zhoucheng Village<\/strong> (~20 km north)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"gtx-trans\" style=\"position: absolute; left: 216px; top: 121.667px;\">\n<div class=\"gtx-trans-icon\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (\u5d07\u5723\u5bfa\u4e09\u5854) is the most iconic landmark in Dali, Yunnan \u2014 and the only 5A-rated scenic area in the Dali Prefecture. It sits about 1.5 km north of Dali Old Town, backed by Cangshan Mountain and facing Erhai Lake. \ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f The Three Pagodas Pagoda Name Height Style Era Main Qianxun &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=743\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">The Three Pagodas<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":633,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/743"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=743"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":772,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/743\/revisions\/772"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}