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Three Pagodas

The teasures of China's ancient building

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Three Pagodas Facts

Location: in Chongsheng Temple
History: over 1,800 years
The Highest Pagoda: Qianxun Pagoda - 69.13m (227 ft)

Three Pagodas located in Chongsheng Temple, is about 1 kilometers (0.6 miles) northwest of the Dali Ancient City. Facing Erhai Lake, Chongsheng Temple is located at the western border Cangshan Mountain. It's said that 9 Kings of Dali Kingdom chose to be a Chongsheng monastery in the temple. The Three Pagodas inside the temple was built 1,800 years ago. It is a symbol of the history of Dali City, and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area. As its name implies, Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle. This is unique in China. A visit to the pagodas should not be missed by any visitor to Dali City.

The middle pagoda, Qianxun Pagoda, 69.13 meters (227 feet) high, is one of the highest pagodas of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), while the other lower two stand to the north and south sides of it. Qianxun Pagoda, now empty, previously could be climbed by ladder from the inside. However the ladder is now broken, and travelers now have no opportunity to climb up. Three Pagodas, Zhaozhou Bridge of Hebei Province, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, are three curiosities of Chinese ancient architecture.

Many sculptures of Buddha made of gold, silver, wood or crystal, Buddhist readings, and more than 600 various medicinal ingredients were found in Qianxun Pagoda, playing an important role in explaining the ancient history of Dali City. Study of Three Pagodas and the cultural relics that have been excavated at the site provide significant data for exploring the history, religion, and art of the area. Today, travelers can visit Three Pagodas at night, when it is illuminated providing a fantastic scene. Nearby on the 'marble street' there are many folk-craft workshops and stands specializing in marble and brick-painting.

Chongsheng Temple backed by mountains

Three Pagoda, the symbic Sight of Dali

Known for its resilience, Three Pagodas has survived several eras of severe earthquakes. The local government still makes a great effort to strengthen it to make it as strong as when it was built to ensure the preservation of this architectural treasure.

How to get to Three Pagodas from Dali Ancient City

Take bus C7 to Santa Lukou and you will see the pagodas.

Entrance Fee	CNY 75; Free for children under 1.3m (4.3 feet).
Opening Hours	Apr. - Oct.: 8:00 - 19:00; Nov. - Mar.: 7:30 - 18:30
Recommended Time for a Visit	2h

You may like: Top 10 Things to Do in Dali

- Last updated on Apr. 12, 2021 -

Questions & Answers on Three Pagodas

Asked by Rohaeida Aliasan from MALAYSIA | Aug. 27, 2019 02:57

Journey : cangshan mountain (gantong cable car) - 3 pagoda - erhai lake ( 1 day)

Hi.. I will transit to dali at the morning before depart to lijiang via train 6.15pm. Can u suggest the journey as we are using public transportation . Tqvm in advanced :)

Answers (1)

Answered by Andy from NETHERLANDS | Aug. 28, 2019 01:17

I'm afraid your time is too tight for 3 attractions. It is better for you to choose one or two.

From Cangshan to 3 pagoda, you can take Bus Line 4.
From 3 pagoda to Erhai, take Bus Line 4 to Wanhua Xiaowu and then transfer to Bus Line 16 to Longshan Hotel. Get off the bus, walk north about 800m to the destination.

Asked by Sulak Sriphirom from THAILAND | Apr. 19, 2019 17:49

How far is it from Dali Railway Station to Ancient Town. How much for taxi fee?

Answers (1)

Answered by Collins from GERMANY | Apr. 23, 2019 19:24

The distance is around 17km. Generally speaking, the cab fare is CNY 50 to 60.

Asked by Jaja from MALAYSIA | Mar. 23, 2019 03:11

Hi, could you help me, how can I get to Three Pagoda from Erhai Park/ Dali City by bus?

My plan on that day, first after I having my breakfast, planning to visit Tourist Center to buy all the ticket or gather information needed for my 2 days stay at Dali, after that take bus C2 from South Gate to Erhai Park (can from here i visit the Dali City by foot?) after lunch and explore Southern area of Erhai Lake, I'm planning to visit Three Pagoda in the evening. Does this plan ok?

Looking forward to your reply. Thanks!

Answers (1)

Answered by Lisa from USA | Mar. 28, 2019 20:36

In fact, the Three Pagoda is closer than the Erhai Park from Dali City. You can visit Three Pagoda and Dali first. From Dali to Three Pagoda, take C2/ C7 to North Gate Bridge and it takes about 30 minutes.

From Three Pagoda to Erhai, you can take the Three Pagoda Special Line to Xingsheng Bridge South and then walk east about 1km. It takes about 2 hours to get.

Asked by Tmm from THAILAND | Nov. 24, 2018 04:23

From Dali railway station(I will catch high speed train from kunming)

1 How to get there from From DL railway station(I will catch high speed train)
And How long?

2 If I spent time in DL ancient town first then I go to there pagoda.how to get there.

3.If it possible...I will be 1 day travel DL ancient town, there pagoda and come back to kunming. If I catch high speed train from kunming in morning.

Thanks

Answers (1)

Answered by Larissa from AUSTRALIA | Nov. 25, 2018 22:19

1. From DL railway station to Three Pagoda, you can take the direct special bus line to pagoda. The duration is about 1.5 hours. And return by the way you came.

2. From DL ancient town to the pagoda, you can also take the direct special bus line to the pagoda. The duration is about 50 minutes.

3. The last train from DL to Kunming is at 21:10 and you need to reserve about 30 minutes to board the train. So you have to get to the railway station at about 20:30.