Yunyan Pagoda

Yunyan Pagoda

Yunyan Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Yunyan Pagoda is located on the second terrace of Yunyan Mountain, about 2 kilometers east of Pingyuan Town, the county seat of Yingjiang. At an elevation of 857 meters, with coordinates at 97°57′ east longitude and 24°42′ north latitude, it lies on the southwestern spur of the Hengduan Mountains' Gaoligong Range extension. The Daying River flows around the base of Yunyan Mountain from east to south and then west. To the northeast of the pagoda is the symbol of the Lisu people’s “Kuoshi Festival,” the "Muduoyi," the symbol of the Jingpo people’s “Munao Zongge Festival,” the "Monu Shidong," and a medium-wave radio station. To the southeast is the symbol of the Dai people’s Water-Splashing Festival, the "Bathing the Buddha Pagoda." Directly north lies the Deer Field, northwest is the village of Mengding and the county seat of Pingyuan, and due west is the Bangsai Village.

Yunyan Pagoda was first built in 1947. In 1946, Yingjiang suffered a devastating flood, which caused severe loss of life and property, followed by the spread of epidemics. To seek Buddha’s protection, the project was initiated and funded under the leadership of Ms. Xian Yunxiao, sister-in-law of Si Hongsheng, a descendant of the former Tusi (local chieftain) of Zhandao (present-day Yingjiang County). Due to the turbulent domestic situation and various rumors, construction was intermittent and was not completed until 1952. Although the pagoda suffered partial damage during the Cultural Revolution, its foundation, main stupa, and smaller stupas largely survived. It underwent two restorations, in 1982 and 1993.

Yunyan Pagoda has an earthen foundation. As a symbolic structure of Theravāda Buddhism in southwestern Yunnan, it is a covered-bowl style diamond-seat clustered pagoda consisting of one main stupa and 40 miniature stupas.

The pagoda base (diamond throne) consists of five stacked layers. The bottom layer is square, with each side (width) approximately 19.3 meters long and 1.1 meters high. The first layer contains 28 miniature stupas, each housing a Buddha niche. Layers two through four are square, waisted Sumeru pedestals, each with one miniature stupa at the corners, totaling 12, without any Buddha niches. The fifth layer base is an octagonal, waisted Sumeru pedestal, topped with a round platform surrounded by carved upward lotus petals forming a lotus base. The main stupa stands atop this lotus throne. Its lower body is shaped like a giant bell, with 108 variably shaped bead strings held by “Seven Guardians” carved in relief along the middle section—manifestations of a tiger, lion, white elephant, rat, sheep, dragon, and eagle. Legend also says a hidden black elephant patrols beneath the pagoda. Above the reliefs are embroidered kasaya patterns. The upper part of the stupa features a string of flat, beaded wheel-like discs, atop which sits a lotus base treasure vase, forming the finial. The top is crowned with a metal parasol and wind vane. The stupa body and finial are entirely gilded with gold powder, creating a magnificent golden glow at sunrise and sunset.

Yunyan Pagoda faces south with a slight eastward orientation of about 5°. A cement path leads from the northern foot of Yunyan Mountain into the pagoda area, flanked by dense woods. The path is 93 meters long and 4.5 meters wide, with an elevation difference of about 10 meters between its start and end. At the entrance to the pagoda base surrounding platform, two "Gado" statues (a Burmese term meaning mythical beast, akin to a qilin or lion pedestal in Han Chinese culture) are placed, featuring unique designs.

Among the six square-base stupas currently in western Yunnan, Yunyan Pagoda is the largest and most exquisitely designed, preserving the authenticity and integrity of the pagoda. Its cultural value surpasses that of pagodas reconstructed in the 1990s.

The design of the relief patterns and base structure of Yunyan Pagoda is identical to that of the "Luojia Biao Pagoda" in Mandalay Region, Myanmar. The stupa structure, finial structure, and patterns are the same as those of the "Fan Niao Paye Xin Pagoda" in Sagaing, Mandalay Region. It stands as physical evidence of historical cultural exchange between China and Myanmar.

In 1992, U Za Mai Wang, Chairman of the Shan Buddhist Association of Mandalay Region, Myanmar, visited and offered to donate a jade Buddha statue to Yunyan Pagoda in Yingjiang. In April 1993, U Za Mai Wang led 85 monks to escort the jade Buddha to Yunyan Pagoda. The statue stands 11.8 feet tall and weighs 10 tons. The Yingjiang County Buddhist Association built a temple on the southern hillside of Yunyan Pagoda, marking a continuation of the friendly exchanges between the two countries. Yunyan Pagoda has thus become a bond of “Paukphaw” (kinship) friendship between the peoples of China and Myanmar.

On January 13, 1983, the Yunnan Provincial Government designated Yunyan Pagoda as part of the second batch of Yunnan Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. In June 2006, the State Council listed it as part of the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. Source: Yingjiang County Culture and Sports Bureau

Pingyuan Town: Located in the county seat, Pingyuan Town features flat terrain, abundant rainfall, and ample sunlight. It boasts numerous scenic spots and rich ethnic culture. As an important hub for the distribution of goods in Yingjiang County, it serves as a bridge connecting 15 surrounding towns. Pingyuan Town was formed by merging the former Pingyuan Town, Gangmeng Township, and Lianhuashan Township, covering a total area of 386.3 square kilometers. It borders Xincheng and Jiucheng townships to the east, neighbors Longzhang Town to the south, adjoins the mountainous forested area of Hushui County's Huguo Township to the southeast, connects to Xima and Taiping townships to the west, and meets Menglong Township to the north. Pingyuan Town is a vital... More info on Pingyuan Town++

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· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units