Yunyang Dengyun Stairway

Yunyang Dengyun Stairway

The Yunyang Dengyun Stairway was first built in March 1999. It was constructed in four phases and completed by the end of 2008, with a total investment of nearly 100 million yuan. The stairway features a staircase that is 1,238 meters long and consists of 1,519 steps. The section above Qunyi Square is over 600 meters long, with a width of 25 meters and green belts on both sides, each 5 meters wide. The section below Qunyi Square is 20 meters wide, with the stairway being 14 meters wide and green belts on both sides, each 3 meters wide.

Among the many stairways in Yunyang, the most magnificent and spectacular is the Dengyun Stairway. This giant "human"-shaped stone stairway starts from Binjiang Avenue along the Yangtze River, ascends along the slope, runs across the city center, and ends at the foot of Panshi City, the highest point of the new county town. The stairway is over 1,400 meters long, 30 meters wide, and has a vertical drop of more than 200 meters. Its massive scale, unique design, and overwhelming presence are truly rare among urban structures, earning it the well-deserved title of "The First Stairway on the Yangtze River."

Viewed from Zhangfei Temple on the south bank of the Yangtze River across the river, the Dengyun Stairway, together with the central Qunyi Square and the Panshi City at the top, resembles a giant reclining Buddha. Starting from the riverbank are two stairways, respectively called Qinglong (Green Dragon) Stairway and Feifeng (Flying Phoenix) Stairway, which resemble the Buddha’s two massive legs. The dragon and phoenix converge at Qunyi Square, this two-tiered circular plaza spanning over 16,000 square meters, which looks like the Buddha’s large belly. After converging at Qunyi Square, the two stairways merge into one and continue toward Panshi City — this is the Buddha’s neck. And, of course, Panshi City is the head of the Buddha. The reclining Buddha stands with its feet on the Yangtze River and its head touching the blue sky, exuding a majestic aura. Looking up, Panshi City towers into the clouds, giving a real sense of ascending into the heavens.

The stones used for the Dengyun Stairway are all made from the unique bluish-green stone found in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, meticulously hand-carved by local traditional craftsmen. Each step embodies the countless hours of dedication by these artisans. The 1,519 stone steps form a giant upright “human” character, hanging down from the towering Panshi City and stretching all the way to the banks of the Yangtze River, creating an awe-inspiring illusion of piercing through the clouds. The wide green belts on both sides of the stairway, adorned with beautiful patterns of red flowers and green leaves, resemble two exquisite ribbons, hugging the stairway and extending all the way to the horizon, where they seem to merge with the rosy clouds.

Address: Binjiang Avenue, Yunyang County, Chongqing City