Kublai Khan Quelling Yunnan Tablet in Dali City
Introduction
The Kublai Khan Quelling Yunnan Tablet (元世祖平云南碑, Yuán Shìzǔ Píng Yúnnán Bēi) is located in the northeast of Dazhi Fang Village, Ximen Village Committee, Dali Town, Dali City, Yunnan Province. This tablet was inscribed by the Ming scholar Cheng Jufu (程钜夫, Chéng Wénhǎi) under the edict of the Yuan Emperor Zhong (元成宗). The inscription extols the achievements of Kublai Khan (忽必烈, Hū Bìliè) and details the policies and strategies he employed to pacify the Dali Kingdom.
Physical Characteristics
The tablet consists of several parts: the base, body, inscription, and protective border. The base is made of blue stone (石龟, Shí Guī) and measures 3.36 meters long, 2.23 meters wide, and 0.9 meters high. The body is made of two interlocking stones, with the upper stone being 1.3 meters tall and the lower stone 1.55 meters tall, both measuring 1.55 meters wide. The entire tablet stands 5.35 meters tall and features a semi-circular inscription at the top, which is 1.3 meters high and 2.3 meters wide. This tablet is significant for studying the politics, military affairs, and local history of Yunnan during the early Yuan dynasty.
Historical Context
The tablet was erected over fifty years after Kublai Khan’s conquest of Yunnan and thirty years after the Yuan dynasty unified China. In 1304, the governor of Yunnan, Yesudaar (也速答儿), proposed the establishment of the tablet, and Cheng Wenhǎi was commissioned to write the inscription. The tablet was knocked down in 1967 but was restored by the Dali Cultural Center in 1975 with protective measures. Subsequent enhancements were made to the site in 1988 and 1991, including the addition of protective walls and information markers.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The inscription on the tablet is written in regular script and details Kublai Khan’s military campaigns in Yunnan. It recounts his strategic maneuvers and emphasizes his benevolent policies towards the local population. The elegant language and grand style of the inscription make it a crucial artifact for understanding the early Yuan dynasty’s political and military history.
Content of the Inscription
The inscription narrates Kublai Khan’s military expedition to Yunnan, emphasizing both his martial prowess and diplomatic strategies. It highlights the incorporation of Yunnan into the Yuan dynasty as counties and jurisdictions, marking a significant historical transformation in the region.
Disputed Date of Inscription
The inscription mentions a date that has led to various interpretations. While it refers to the second year of the “Yuan Xian” era, which did not exist, historians have dated the tablet to the eighth year of the Da De (大德, Dà Dé) era based on context from the inscription.
Cultural Value
The Kublai Khan Quelling Yunnan Tablet is regarded as a masterpiece of Yuan inscriptions. Its detailed historical accounts of military campaigns during the Tang dynasty and accurate historical commentary are invaluable for research on the early Yuan dynasty’s politics, military, and the history of Yunnan.
Preservation Status
The tablet was designated as a provincial key cultural relic by the Yunnan Provincial Government in 1965. It was reaffirmed as such in January 1983 and was later listed as a national key cultural relic by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China on June 25, 2001.
Travel Information
Location
The Kublai Khan Quelling Yunnan Tablet is located approximately 80 meters south of the Huazhu · Zhonghefang Hotel (花筑·中和坊酒店) on Guanyin Road, Dali City, Yunnan Province.
How to Get There
Visitors can take buses 4, C10, or C2 from within Dali City. Alight at Sanyue Street Station (三月街站) and walk to the tablet site.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit Dali is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild.
- Nearby Attractions: Consider visiting other historical sites in Dali, such as the Three Pagodas and Dali Ancient Town (大理古城, Dàlǐ Gǔchéng).
- Local Cuisine: Try local specialties such as Dali yogurt and Bai ethnic food while in the area.
- Cultural Respect: Be mindful of the cultural significance of the site, and maintain respect during your visit.
