Twin Pagodas of Dade Temple in Kunming

Location and Historical Background

Location

The Dade Temple Twin Towers are situated on the summit of Zupian Mountain on the east side of Wuhua Mountain, within the premises of the Yunnan Provincial Animal Husbandry Bureau on Huashan East Road, Kunming.

History

Constructed in the fifth year of the Yuan Dade era (1301), the original name was “Jile Palace,” later renamed to Dade Temple. In the early Ming Dynasty, most of the temple was destroyed, leaving only the front hall and the entrance. In the first year of the Ming Tianxun era (1457), the recluse He Zhongyuan undertook a major renovation. The current location of the temple is on Pingzheng Street.

Geographical Position

Construction

The twin towers were built in the 13th year of the Ming Chenghua era (1477), modeled after the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an. Positioned between the Jiuyin Hall and the Mahavira Hall of Dade Temple, the towers stand 21 meters high and are 27 meters apart. They are solid, square towers with tiered eaves, each side featuring niches with Buddha statues and inscribed stelae. The towers are simple and solemn, having withstood the test of time for over 500 years.

Historical Use

During the late Qing Dynasty, the Dade Temple site was used for industrial and mining schools. In the Republic of China period, it housed higher normal schools, advanced secondary schools, agricultural schools, Kunhua Women’s Teacher Training School, and Qiushi Middle School. The original buildings of Dade Temple no longer exist, leaving only the twin towers. In 1957, during repairs, the towers were coated with cement plaster, covering their original appearance, and the spires were replaced with cement gourd shapes, although the tower bodies remained unchanged.

Attractions

Twin Towers

The Dade Temple Twin Towers, also known as the Dade Temple Twin Pagodas, are significant Buddhist towers within Kunming city. The twin towers are famous for their symmetry and historical significance, and they stand in contrast to the East and West Temple Towers to the south of the city, with which they are remotely aligned. The twin towers were once surrounded by the Green Water Rivers, reflecting beautifully in the water, earning them the praise of “Green Reflections of the Twin Towers.” They were among Kunming’s top ten scenic spots during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Songzi Tower (originally known as the Pine Tower) has since disappeared, leaving only the twin towers. Qing Dynasty poet Zhu Xiaoyuan praised the towers in his poem “Twin Towers Temple”: “Ancient temple nestled in the spiral peaks, outshining Wuhua Mountain. The two pagodas floating in the sky, bowing to the chaotic mountains. Cities have seen several disasters, yet they remain standing, unscathed.”

Surroundings

Dade Temple’s location on Zupian Mountain offers stunning views. The ancient cypress trees on the mountain provide a dense canopy of greenery, and from the summit, one can enjoy an unobstructed view of the city, lush mountains, and the clear waters of Dian Lake. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the temple was frequently renovated, becoming one of the largest Buddhist temples in Kunming. It is connected to the Salt Dragon Shrine to the west and remains a popular site for worshippers and tourists year-round, continuing its tradition as a well-visited and spiritually significant ancient temple.