DJ Bhat Fungi

My visit to Dali University, Yunnan, China, as Visiting Professor... Part-5

Three major tourist attractions in Dali, Yunnan, China

Dali in Yunnan Province of China is well known for its varied tourist attractions and of which (i) ‘Erhai Lake’, (ii) ‘Dali ancient temple with 3 Pagodas’ and (iii) ‘Foreigner’s Street’ in the old City of Dali are said to be famous and one generally doesn’t miss to see. My host Prof Su ensured and squeezed these 3 items in our 2-week itinerary...

(i) Erhai Lake:

In the shape of a human ear, Erhai Lake in Dali, situated at about 1900 m above sea level, is the second largest highland lake in China. The lake measures north-south 40 km and east-west about 7 km, covering an area of about 250 km². The Dali city is located on the west bank of the lake.

The Erhai Lake is so spectacular....! Accompanied by Ms Bao and Li, Mr Zonglong, drove us around the lake in the first week-end of our visit. Beautifully landscaped on either side, the motorway around the lake is a treat to drive. The lake receives water from rivers and streams of adjoining Cangshan Mountains and it has its inherent rich biodiversity in the form of endemic fishes, birds, butterflies, hydrophytes and of course freshwater fungi... Local people feel that the lake is their national treasure and they expend sincere efforts in maintaining the lake water always clean. The lake embodies a few small islands. Activities around the lake include controlled fishing, farming, parks, temples and varied eateries. The whole place is absolutely clean. There are clean toilets at intervals along the motorway and none uses the lake-shores to ease out. Being Sunday, we saw many small crowds thronged to lake-sides for family/marriage photo-shootings. Water from the lake eventually flows down into the mighty Lancang or Mekong River.....

On the way to Erhai Lake from Old City of Dali

Panoramic view of Erhai Lake

I and my wife...!

With Mr Zonglong

I and my wife with Bao and Li

Panoramic view of Dali University as seen from other side of Erkai Lake

Beautifully landscaped motorways...

(ii) Ancient Chongsheng Temple and 3 Pagodas

Dali is singularly famous for its ancient Buddhist architecture Chongsheng temple and three Pagodas, dating Nanzhao and Ming Dynasty of 8^th and 9^th centuries. Seen from far off, with a backdrop of majestic Cangshan Mountains, the temple and pagodas are just 2 km away from Dali University. We visited this serene scenic spot in the second week-end. Prof Su’s research students, Ms Na and Li, not only accompanied us but also explained my queries with minutest details.

The three independent, cream-coloured, majestic pagodas are located equidistant in a symmetric triangle. The main and centrally located pagoda is about 70 m high whereas the adjoining 2 are smaller and about 42 m high. They are interiorly hollow but occupied by Buddha statues.

With Ms Na, I made a brisk walk of about 2 km from the fist entrance to the final sanctum sanctorum of Chongsheng temple where stunning but tranquil statue of Buddha stood tall with a blessing palm or dhyan-mudra. Na showed me the procedure of paying religious obeisance at the temple. Temple serenity spread over the whole place...

Three Pagodas in the ancient city of Dali

My wife with Na and Li in front of amazing 3 Pagodas

Main, centrally located Pagoda

One of smaller two Pagodas

Chongsheng Temple

Bhagwaan Buddha...

Magnificent statue of Buddha

On the way back from Temple....

The Chongsheng Temple

The Chongsheng temple and three Pagodas are truly amazing....

(iii) Foreigner’s Street in old city of Dali:

Week-end evening walking streets are special attractions in most Asian countries and China is no exception. I have seen these in Thailand and Foreigners Street in the old city of Dali is very famous for its display of Chinese goods of tourist interest. My wife showed interest to walk along the street. Accompanied by Bao, Na and Li, we went around the street and my wife picked up a few small bits and pieces of interest as souvenir to bring back home. I particularly sawthat the whole place is absolutely clean, descent and attractive with display of Chinese style decoratives, ethnic clothes, handicrafts, silverwares, eateries, music and charm. We enjoyed the evening....