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Three Pagodas

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Three Pagodas (China)

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The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are an ensemble of three independent pagodas arranged on the corners of an equilateral triangle, located near the old town of Dali in Yunnan Province. The central pagoda, known as Qianxun Pagoda, was built during the reign of King Quan Fengyou of the Nanzhao Kingdom between 823 and 859 AD. It stands 69.13 meters tall and features sixteen tiers of eaves, making it one of the tallest pagodas from the Tang Dynasty era. The two smaller flanking pagodas were constructed about a century later during the Dali Kingdom period, standing at 42.19 meters with ten tiers each. These structures are renowned for their resilience, having survived numerous massive earthquakes over more than a millennium, including a major 1925 quake that destroyed most nearby buildings. The pagodas were originally part of a massive monastic complex that served as a royal temple and a significant center for Buddhism in Southeast Asia.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr–Jun.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C791216182019191815118
Rain mm2318193684110184195128851410

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Three Pagodas are a public monument near Dali, explorable on foot or by bicycle. The pagodas are set in a park, with access to individual towers partially restricted.
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Typical hours
The park is typically open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the pagodas themselves usually viewable only from outside. Best visited early morning when the light makes the white pagodas glow.
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Photography
Photography is allowed throughout the park, with the pagodas being popular photo subjects. For the classic shot capturing all three pagodas in one frame, position yourself on the park's central axis.
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Time needed
A walk through the park and around the pagodas takes about 30-40 minutes. If you also visit the nearby Chongsheng Temple monastery, allow two hours.
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Combine with
The pagodas lie at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains - a cable car ride up the mountain is a great addition. Combine with Dali Old Town and Erhai Lake for a full day trip.
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Getting there
From Dali Old Town, the pagodas can be reached by bicycle in about 15 minutes or by bus (line 4) directly to the park entrance. A taxi is also cheap and quick.
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Insider tip
Visit the pagodas in the late afternoon when the sun sets behind the mountains, creating a dramatic silhouette. Bring a light jacket as it can be windy on the open grounds.

Geography

Coordinates
25.70500, 100.15500

Facts

  • The central Qianxun Pagoda stands 69.13 meters tall with 16 distinct tiers.
  • Construction of the main pagoda began in 823 AD during the Nanzhao Kingdom.
  • The two flanking pagodas are each 42.19 meters high with 10 tiers.
  • Over 600 Buddhist relics were discovered inside the pagodas during 1978 restoration work.
  • The structures survived a massive 6.5 magnitude earthquake in 1925 without major damage.
  • The three pagodas are arranged in an equilateral triangle configuration.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

DaliDali16 km · NExplore →
LijiangLijiang24 km · WExplore →
Jade Dragon Snow MountainJade Dragon Snow Mountain29 km · WExplore →
Tiger Leaping GorgeTiger Leaping Gorge30 km · WExplore →
Pudacuo National ParkPudacuo National Park45 km · WExplore →
Shangri-LaShangri-La62 km · SWExplore →
Lugu LakeLugu Lake80 km · NWExplore →
Loi PangnaoLoi Pangnao98 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Three Pagodas (12)

Dali Museum🏛 museum

The museum is housed in the former governor's palace of Du Wenxiu, showcasing Nanzhao and Dali kingdom artifacts.

Dali Rural Film History Museum🏛 museum

A unique museum showcasing the history of rural cinema in Yunnan and vintage film projection equipment.

Yangjumei City Ruins🏺 historical

Archaeological remains of the 8th-century Nanzhao Kingdom capital city located near Dali.

Taihe City🏺 historical

The ruins of the first capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom, famous for the historical Nanzhao Stele.

Puxian Temple⛪ religious

A Buddhist temple in Dali's old city dedicated to the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.

Chongsheng Temple⛪ religious

A vast Buddhist temple complex situated directly behind the famous Three Pagodas of Dali.

Cangshan Temple⛪ religious

A shrine dedicated to the mountain god at the foot of the Cangshan range, overlooking Erhai Lake.

Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple📍 landmark

Three iconic brick pagodas from the Tang Dynasty arranged in a distinctive triangle.

Kublai Khan's Conquest of Yunnan Stele📍 landmark

A historical stone monument from 1304 commemorating Kublai Khan's conquest of Yunnan.

Hongsheng Temple Pagoda📍 landmark

This historic Buddhist pagoda is a well-preserved multi-tiered structure from the Dali Kingdom era.

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils film city🌳 park

This sprawling film studio features elaborate Song Dynasty-style architecture built for famous martial arts epics.

Cangshan Geological Museum🏛 museum

Located at the foot of the mountains, this museum showcases the unique metamorphic marble and geology of the Cangshan range.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How old are the pagodas?
The main pagoda was built over 1,100 years ago during the Tang Dynasty.
Can you go inside the pagodas?
No, entering the pagodas is not permitted to protect the structure.
Where is the best view?
From the Mirror Pond park, you can get an excellent reflection photo of the pagodas.
Do they belong to a temple?
Yes, they are part of the Chongsheng Temple complex near Dali.
Are they earthquake-proof?
They have survived over 30 major earthquakes over the centuries with almost no damage.
Three Pagodas: where is it located?
Three Pagodas is located in China.
Three Pagodas: what is there to see?
Highlights include Dali Museum, Dali Rural Film History Museum, Yangjumei City Ruins.
Three Pagodas: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Jun.
Three Pagodas: why is it worth visiting?
The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are an ensemble of three independent pagodas arranged on the corners of an equilateral triangle, located near the old town of Dali in Yunnan Province.
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