The land where Nuluoluo farmed, herded, and rose to prominence. At the foot of the mountainTuzhu Temple(also known as “Xunshan Hall”) is said to be his family temple. It is the earliest and largest Tuzhu Temple in China and serves as the center and origin of the Yi people's Tuzhu worship. On the 15th and 16th days of the first lunar month each year, Yi people gather at the Tuzhu Temple to slaughter pigs and sheep in sacrifice to their founding ancestor, Nuluoluo.
Yuanyue Temple
Surrounded by lush trees and boasting beautiful scenery, Yuanyue Temple is a popular tourist destination with a history of over 500 years. The Ming Dynasty scholar Yang Shen once stayed here and inscribed two pairs of couplets in the main hall. One reads: “A river embraces the lone city, misty and vague; a monk with a cane returns beyond the hazy distance. Peaks face the temple halls, now rainy now clear, now light now dark; a person leans on the railing, as if in a painting.” The other reads: “High pavilions hang high, low pavilions hang low; monks view paintings within the painting. Distant peaks stretch far, near peaks lie close; visitors gaze at mountains atop the mountain.” In the ancient cypress forest in front of Yuanyue Temple stand two pagodas, about 15 meters tall with nine stories each, topped with precious finials, and built in the square, dense-eave brick style. Backed by mountains and facing the town, Yuanyue Temple features a three-courtyard layout ascending step-by-step from the mountain gate. It includes the Four Heavenly Kings Hall, the Mahavira Hall, and the Rear Hall, with side halls flanking the Mahavira Hall. The entire temple complex boasts a rigorous architectural structure and well-arranged layout. Surrounded by dense forests and a tranquil environment, it attracts a continuous stream of visitors.
Practical Information
Ticket Price:Free, and all temples, large and small, are also free of charge.
Transportation Guide:FromDali Ancient Town, take bus No. 4 to Xiaguan, then transfer directly to the Weishan bus at Weishan Station to reach Weishan Ancient Town. By car, it takes about 50 minutes; by bus, around 1 hour.
Next time you visit Dali, remember to check out this quaint Weishan Ancient Town as well.