Panlong Temple in Yunlong County, Dali
Overview
Panlong Temple (蟠龙寺) is located in the western part of Shimen Town (石门镇), Yunlong County (云龙县), Dali Prefecture (大理州), Yunnan Province (云南省). Covering an area of 1,530 square meters, the temple has a rich history documented in the “Yunlong Prefecture Chronicles” (《云龙州志》) during the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (清朝) (1723–1735). Unfortunately, it was destroyed during conflicts in the seventh year of the Xianfeng era (咸丰) (1857) and was rebuilt in the eighteenth year of the Guangxu era (光绪) (1892).
Location and Architecture
Panlong Temple is majestically situated atop a towering rock at the confluence of the Bijiang River (沘江) and the Shiwai River (狮尾河), facing east. Originally designed as a three-entrance, three-courtyard layout, the existing structure now features a two-entrance, two-courtyard arrangement. The main buildings include a grand hall (大殿) and the Yuhuang Pavilion (玉皇阁).
The temple is well-known for its two famous plaques:
- One plaque was inscribed by Wang Jiuling (王九龄), a notable educator during the Republic of China period, who hailed from Yunlong.
- The other plaque was written by Yang Mingyang (杨名飏), a prominent figure in western Yunnan during the Qing Dynasty and a former governor of Shaanxi (陕西).
Structural Features
The temple’s architecture is representative of the Qing Dynasty (清朝) style, featuring:
- Main Hall (主殿): This two-level hall is known for its exquisite craftsmanship and commands a view over the Bijiang River. It offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the scenic Shimen.
- Surrounding Gardens: Each courtyard is flanked by side rooms, and the temple grounds are adorned with flourishing flowers and bamboo, while ancient trees provide ample shade.
Cultural Significance
Yang Mingyang once penned a couplet about the temple:
“一片苍茫景，频临古渡头。 烟笼青锁闥，云缦绿扬洲。 玉阙飞翔花雨，魁杓转画楼。 龙门看四辟，河鲤任遨游。” “In this vast expanse, I often visit the ancient ferry. Mist envelops the green doors, clouds float over the verdant shores. The jade palace showers down flower rain, the graceful spire turns with artistic delight. From Longmen, I gaze at the four corners, letting the river carp roam freely.”
How to Get There
- By Bus:
- Travel to Yunlong County from Xingsheng Passenger Station (兴盛客运站) in Xiaguan. Buses depart regularly, and the journey takes about 3 hours. After arriving in Yunlong, you can take a minivan or taxi to Panlong Temple.
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