Jinghong Black Pagoda

Jinghong Black Pagoda

The "Black Pagoda," known in the Dai language as "Talongbulan" (also translated as Tabulan or Talan), is also called the Grand Pagoda of Grandfather and Grandson, or the Central Pagoda of Damenglong. It is located in Jinglong Village, Menglong Town, Jinghong City, the prefectural capital of Xishuangbanna. It is a county-level cultural heritage site.

The Jinglong Black Pagoda in Jinghong was built in 784 AD and was reconstructed in the second year of the Jiatai era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1202 AD, or the 564th year of the Dai calendar). Another account claims it was built even earlier than the Manfeilong White Pagoda, possibly before 1204 AD. In the Dai language, "long" means "great" and "lan" means "grandson," hence it is also called the "Grand Pagoda of Grandfather and Grandson." It was built to commemorate the grandfather and grandson who contributed the most to its construction. Originally, apart from being inlaid with colored glass, the entire pagoda was black in color. To distinguish it from other pagodas, it has long been commonly referred to as the "Black Pagoda."

The base of the Jinglong Black Pagoda in Jinghong is square, with each side measuring 17.9 meters. The pagoda has seven tiers, stands over 18 meters tall, and has a hexagonal, gourd-shaped form with a solid brick-and-mortar structure. When first built, it was dark gray in color but has since been repainted several times and is now silver-white. The main pagoda features copper bells hanging from the upturned corners of each tier. Four ornamental pillars, each over two meters tall—with silver-white bases and golden-yellow tops—are placed at the four corners of the pagoda. These are used by worshippers to offer food, flowers, and light incense and candles. This layout highlights the grandeur of the main pagoda. The four corners of the main pagoda are surrounded by a low wall formed by eight large, clay-modeled, colorfully painted dragons, giving a solemn and sacred feel. At the four corners of the pagoda’s base are sculptures of four lotus flowers, beneath which are respectively a golden turtle, a crab, a giant python, and a peacock.

The Jinglong Black Pagoda in Jinghong has stood for over 800 years and withstood the test of time. In 1978, the pagoda underwent renovation, including the widening of the road from the mountain foot to the pagoda, and the construction of a small pavilion (mountain gate). The pagoda structure and the associated temple have been repaired multiple times. Today, the temple next to the Black Pagoda houses a bronze seated statue of the Buddha, a gift from Thai friends. Behind the temple, in a shrine, there is a preserved footprint measuring 160 cm in length and 60 cm in width, said to have been left by the heavenly deity Phra Chao Khotama while spreading scriptures and blessings to save all beings. Nearby, there is also the Golden Crab Well.

In 2002, the Jinglong Black Pagoda in Jinghong was designated as part of the city’s (county-level) second batch of cultural heritage protection units.

Location

Jinglong Village, Menglong Town, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna