Meng Huan Golden Pagoda is located on the top of Leiya Rangshan Mountain by Peacock Lake in the southeast of Mangshi, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a classic building among Theravada Buddhist pagodas and temples. The scenic area covers an area of about 16,000 square meters. The core building, the Golden Pagoda, is 76 meters high, with a base diameter of 50 meters. It consists of three parts: the base, the body, and the spire. The main structure is made of steel and covered with gold foil, using 1.3 tons of gold. It shines brilliantly golden in the sunlight and is known as "China's No. 1 Golden Buddha Pagoda" and "Asia's No. 1 Hollow Buddha Pagoda." The scenic area integrates Dai religious culture, architectural art, and natural landscapes. From the top, visitors can overlook the panoramic view of Mangshi.
Historical Culture
The history of Meng Huan Golden Pagoda can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty. The original pagoda was first built in 1803 and was later destroyed during wars. The current pagoda was rebuilt in 2004. It was designed under the leadership of Upasaka Dao Shuren, vice chairman of the Buddhist Association of China, and was completed in 2007. "Meng Huan" is a Dai language term meaning "City of Dawn," echoing Mangshi's alternative name, "City of Dawn," and reflecting the Dai people's pursuit of light and hope. The Golden Pagoda is an important religious activity site for the Dai people in Mangshi. Every year during Dai festivals such as the Water-Splashing Festival and the Chuwang Festival, local believers and tourists gather here to hold rituals such as prayer and offering to the Buddha, carrying profound ethnic culture and religious belief.
Main Attractions
Main Building of the Golden Pagoda
The main body of the Golden Pagoda is 76 meters high. The spire consists of a treasure bottle, a treasure canopy, a treasure top, and other parts, reaching 23 meters high. The body of the pagoda is bell-shaped, with a small pagoda built on each of the four sides, symbolizing Buddhism's "Four Noble Truths." The interior of the pagoda is hollow and enshrines Buddhist sacred objects such as a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and palm-leaf scriptures. Around the base are 16 exquisite Buddha reliefs, displaying Buddhist stories and Dai cultural elements. The entire building uses 1.3 tons of gold and more than 200 tons of copper materials, making it a model of the combination of Dai architectural art and Buddhist culture.
Viewing Platform
At the foot of the Golden Pagoda is a circular viewing platform with an area of about 3,000 square meters. The platform offers a broad field of view and a 360-degree overlook of Mangshi's urban area, Peacock Lake, and the surrounding mountains. At dawn or dusk, visitors can enjoy the magnificent scenery of golden sunlight shining on the pagoda or sunset glow dyeing the pagoda body, making it an excellent spot for photography enthusiasts.
Buddhist Culture Square
At the entrance of the scenic area is the Buddhist Culture Square, covering an area of about 5,000 square meters. In the center of the square stands a 9-meter-high four-faced Buddha statue. Around it are buildings with Dai characteristics such as octagonal pavilions and corridors. The corridors display Theravada Buddhist murals and illustrated materials on Dai culture. Visitors can learn about Buddhist teachings and Dai history and culture here.
Tour Route：
Classic half-day tour route: Arrive at the scenic area at 09:00 and first visit the Buddhist Culture Square (09:00-09:30) to learn about Dai Buddhist culture; then climb the steps to the main building of the Golden Pagoda (09:30-11:00), visit the Buddha statues and reliefs inside the pagoda, and go to the top to overlook the panoramic view of Mangshi; at 11:30 go to the viewing platform (11:30-12:00) to take photos of the Golden Pagoda with the city scenery; at 12:30 end the trip and go to a nearby place to taste Dai delicacies such as sapie and paoluda.
Travel Suggestions：
Wear comfortable sports shoes: Climbing the pagoda requires climbing about 200 steps. It is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes and avoid high heels.
Take sun protection measures: Mangshi has strong sunlight. It is necessary to bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses. In summer, mosquito repellent can also be prepared.
Visit during off-peak hours: There are more tourists on weekends and holidays. It is recommended to enter the park before 8:00 a.m. on weekdays or after 16:00 in the afternoon to avoid the high-temperature period.
Respect religious customs: When entering the pagoda, you need to take off your shoes. Clothing should cover shoulders and knees. Loud noise is prohibited, and flash should be turned off when taking photos.
Notes：
Safety warning: There are no guardrails at the edge of the pagoda base platform. Pay attention to safety when taking photos and avoid approaching the edge.
Cultural relic protection: Touching or carving the pagoda reliefs and Buddha statues is prohibited. Violators will face a fine of 200-500 yuan.
Religious etiquette: During religious activities, keep a distance. Do not participate in or photograph believers' rituals without permission.
Keep belongings safe: There is a large flow of people at the entrance of the scenic area and along the way up the pagoda. Pay attention to keeping mobile phones, wallets, and other items to avoid loss.
Night lighting: When climbing the pagoda at night, pay attention to the safety of the steps. The scenic area's lighting facilities are complete, but it is recommended to go with companions.
Transportation：
Bus: In Mangshi urban area, take Bus No. 3 to the "Meng Huan Golden Pagoda" stop and walk 5 minutes to the entrance of the scenic area. The fare is 2 yuan per person. The first bus is at 06:30 and the last bus is at 18:30.
Taxi: Departing from Mangshi Airport or Railway Station, taking a taxi to the scenic area takes about 15 minutes and costs about 20-30 yuan.
Self-driving: Search for "Meng Huan Golden Pagoda" in navigation. Drive about 3 kilometers from Mangshi urban area along Meng Huan Road. The scenic area has a parking lot. The parking fee for a small car is 5 yuan per day.
Opening Hours：
Open all year round, daily 07:30-21:30 (last entry at 21:00). At night, the Golden Pagoda is brilliantly lit and open until 21:30 for tourists to enjoy the night view. During special religious activities, opening hours may be adjusted. It is recommended to check the scenic area announcement before traveling.
Tickets：
Visiting outside the pagoda is free. Entering the pagoda costs 40 yuan per person. Please refer to the actual price of the scenic area.