Let me say something about our trip. Hebei is situated at the north of the lower reaches of Huanghe River (Yellow River). Its capital is the Spring and Autumn Period, because the Kingdom of Yan dominated its northern area, while the Kingdom of Zhao occupied its southern area, Hebei was called The Land of Yan and Zhao.
Today we are going to visit the three pagodas temple of Dali. Welcome, everyone!
The Mongolian robe is unique to this ethnic group robe is often matched with a belt and head its high collar and long sleeves ,the robe protects people from mosquitoes middle part of the robe is made loose for the convenience of riding horses and is long enough to keep the knees warm. You can find all kinds of clothes here today ,but the robe is the cultural heritage of the Mongolians and has become a symbol of their national conscience and identity.
The Mosque is a major spot for religious activities of over 60.000 Moslems in Xi’an, likewise, an important cultural relic protected by the Provincial People’s Government. Unlike the Arabic mosques, with splendid domes, the minarets reaching into the clouds, the coulourful engraved sketches with dazzling patterns, the Mosque here in Xi’an possesses much Chinese traditional touch in both its design and artistic outlook; besides the style peculiar to Islamic mosques, this Mosque also holds characteristics of Chinese pavilions with painted beams and engraved ridgepoles.
Before we got the three pagodas temple, I would like to give you a brief introduction of Dali. Why is it called “Dali”? As we all know Dali has a long history. After the Kingdom of NanZhao, Duansiping Established the Kingdom of Dali. “li” this Chinese word refers to “manners”, indicated the hope of the king that make his country a prosperous and civilized place.
The Mosque is a major spot for religious activities of over 60.000 Moslems in Xi’an, likewise, an important cultural relic protected by the Provincial People’s Government. Unlike the Arabic mosques, with splendid domes, the minarets reaching into the clouds, the coulourful engraved sketches with dazzling patterns, the Mosque here in Xi’an possesses much Chinese traditional touch in both its design and artistic outlook; besides the style peculiar to Islamic mosques, this Mosque also holds characteristics of Chinese pavilions with painted beams and engraved ridgepoles.
Dali is a world –famous tourist attraction. It is rich in cultural heritages and tourist resources. Dali is widely claimed as “the Oriental Switzerland”, “the Chinese Geneva” and “the Pearl on the Yunnan Plateau”. Each year, it attracts thousands of tourists both at home and from abroad to pay a visit. For example, the Cangsang mountain, Erhai lake, Dali Ancient city and the Three Pagodas are all important resorts in Dali. And we are all familiar with the saying:”wind, flowers, snow and the moon”, which refers to the snow on Cangshan mountain, the moon of the Erhai Lake, the wind of Shangguan county and the flowers in Xiaguang county. There are regarded as the best sight of Dali. We will enjoy them later.
The Bai Nationality is the chief nationality in Dali Prefecture. It has the second biggest population among the 25 ethnic minorities in Yunnan, totaling more than 1,000,000 people. The Bai people have a long history and a well-developed culture. Under the influence of the Han people, some of their customs and habits are quite similar to those of the Han people. As our bus keeps moving on towards Dali, you will see more and more houses and villiages that have a strong local colour of the Bai people.
Dali City is the capital of the Bai Autonomous Prefecture. As the largest city in the west of Yunnan, it covers an area of 1,400 square kilometers with a population of more than 450,000. In addition, Dali City is the political, economic and cultural center of Dali, as well as one of the important gateways to the Southeast Asian nations.
OK, everyone, we are now at the Three Pagodas Temple. Let’s go inside and see.
Three Pagodas are the ancient landmarks. They have been the symbol of Dali. The temple located in the piedmont of Cangshan mountain and the near the Erhai Lake. The three pagodas are the only building of the temple. Because the temple went through the war and has been ruined. In Chinese we call it “cong shen”, which means admiring the Buddha, and this Buddha refers to the 观音.
After cross this plaza we will be in the temple. See ,the three pagodas stand there. The major Pagoda, built during the period of NanZhao State, stands 69 meters in height and is divided into 16 tiers. Each tier is inlaid with the statues of Buddha. On its front, four Chinese characters are quite striking, meaning “Ensuring Tranquility to Mountains and Rivers Forever.” From this, we can conclude that one of the reasons to built this pagoda is to prevent disasters. This pagoda, we call it “千寻”.
Now we’resetting foot on Hunlunbeier Grassland. All of us have escaped from the city and its clamour and entered a place like a dreamland,Look! The grassland looks like asoft, green cerpet, Nowyou can enjoy the beautiful scenery in the distance; numeros kinds of wild flowers are in bloom, and wisps of smoke are rising continuously from the yurta scattered on the grassland. When the gentle breeze brushes against the grass, herds of horses and cattle and flock of sheep seem to be drifting from here ro there. What a beautiful picture!
Many people say Zhongyang Street is a street of architecture as over 70 buildings appear in different styles. Some state it is a small Paris in the Orient; some assert it is a Moscow in the Orient; some declare it is a symphony. When you step on this cobbled street, it is as if you could hear a prelude. As you go further along the street, you can see the Women and Children’s Department Store, and the Flood Control Monument at the riverside, as if their varied structures were different chapters constituting a harmonious tune. This symphony accompanies the people in Harbin as they suffered before liberation, wandered through the Cultural Revolution, and ushered in the reform and opening up, and encourages them to face up to the magnificent 21st century.
I am sure you have noticed the two small pagodas. They were built at the beginning of 10th century during the period of Dali State. Each Stands 42 meters in height and is divided into 10 tiers. They are made from bricks.
Dali City is the capital of the Bai Autonomous Prefecture. As the largest city in the west of Yunnan, it covers an area of 1,400 square kilometers with a population of more than 450, In addition, Dali City is the political, economic and cultural center of Dali, as well as one of the important gateways to the Southeast Asian nations.
Today we will go and visit the Yuelu Academy! Yuelu Academy is one of the four famous academies in China, and it was established by Zhudong, magistrate of Tanzhou prefecture in 976A.D at the time of Northern Song Dynasty. The academy accepted disciples throughout the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was only in 1903 that the academy was transformed from a school of traditional Confucian learning to an insitute of higher learning and in 1926 it was officially named Hunan University.
The three pagodas have a history of more than 1,000 years. They have warthered the storms and earthquakes several years. Still, the three pagodas stand firm and erect. They clearly show us the exquisite and superb craftsmanship of the ancient Chinese architecture.
The BaoTu Spring bubbled up day and nighe from three jets and splashesAll over, sounding like a distant roll of thunder, looking like boiling waves and presenting a magnificent sight named the BaoTu gushing into the sky, one of the eight major scenes of poems and articles in praising of the Baotu Spring have been left behind by emperors and numerous scholars and men of letters of different dynasties, such as Zeng gong, yuan Haowen, ZhangYanghao, Wang Shouren, Pu Songling, Emperor Kangxi and Emperor QianLong.
In recent years, the local government renovated the three pagodas. During the renovation, inside the major pagoda were found lots of treasures: Buddhist Sciptures, gold, silver, bronze and iorn wares, pearl, agate, amber, jade and some herbs, totaling more than 600 pieces.
These three pagodas make a beautiful picture. If seen from a far distance, you will have such a feeling that how can this miracle exist in this world. Every time when I saw them, I always wondered that. They are really the wonderful works made by Bai people.
This way, please, everyone. Now we can see the Statue of Yutong 观音. It is a rebuilt one, the original one was destroyed before. This statue is different from other statues of观音 in other places around China. What’s the difference? Please look at it clearly. It’s face looks like a woman’s face, and it’s body resembles a man’ s body. This feature can not be found in other statue.
After visiting the temple, we will go to enjoy the scenery of Cangshan mountain and Erhai Lake, Ok ,Let’s go, everyone.
