Three
pagodas, about 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) northwest of the
ancient city of Dali, occupying a scenic location at the
foot of Mt. Cangshan facing Erhai Lake, has a history
of over 1,800 years. 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 Three
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
(618L907), 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 Xian,
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.
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.
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