The three elegant pagodas arise on the Mt. Cangshan slope overlooking the Erhai Lake, known as Chonhsheng Santa, the Three Pagodas of Saintly Worship. The outstanding landmarks of the region, they were once part of the greatest temple complex on the Dali plain. In recent times the Three Pagodas site has become extremely popular with tourists, the inevitable result being that it is overrun with stalls selling marble wares. More than 600 rare relics of the states of Nanzhao and Dali were discovered in the three pagodas during the 1978 reconstruction, making them even more famous.
Pagodas are among the most ubiquitous structures throughout the Buddhist world.
Their Sanskrit name is stupa, originally a mound or round dome or cylinder on a square base with a shaft emerging upward. Stupas probably evolved in India from prehistoric times as burial mounds for local rulers and heroes. Legend says that in the 5th century BC Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, asked to have his ashes interred in a stupa. Since that time stupas have become symbols of the Buddha, reminders of his earthly existence, cult objects and places of devotion. As Buddhism spread through Asia the shape of stupas adapted itself to local architecture, giving rise to the huge variety of styles.