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Three Pagodas, Dali, Yunnan: The oldest of these three Buddhist towers dates back to the mid-ninth century. At 69 meters and 16 stories high, it was a "skyscraper" for the Tang Dynasty and is still the tallest pagoda in China.


Yunnan: Three Pagodas, Dali (云南省大理崇圣寺三塔)


These Buddhist towers are the chief landmark of Dali, an ancient town in China's southwest Yunnan Province. The main tower was first built in mid-ninth century in the hope to easing regular flooding. At 69 meters and 16 stories high, it was a "skyscraper" for the Tang Dynasty and is still the tallest pagoda in China. Each of it tiers is decorated with Buddha statues.


The other two identical towers stand 42 meters and were erected almost a century later. The three holy structures form an equilateral triangle. Shutterbugs can get great shots from many different angles.


The three pagodas are just north of downtown Dali. Direct flights (30 minutes) and train (eight hours) are available between Dali and Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan.