MANGSHI

Mangshi (Luxi City), the government seat of the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, is reached by flying 50 minutes or driving 733 kilometer southwestward from Kunming. The city is embraced by densely-forested mountains and clear water, while the phoenix-tail bamboo, banyan trees and rubber tree plantations are seen here and there in the area. Visitors to the area may experience folk customs of the Chinese ethnic minorities such as the Dai, Jingpo, Achang and De’ang. Each year on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, people of the Jingpo minority hold their grand Munao Zongge Festival during which they sing and dance day and night, making the Festival a most Jubilant occasion. Major scenic sites of the prefecture include the Tree-entwined Pagoda, the Bodhi Temple the Palace of Culture of Ethnic Minorities and the Grotto of the Three Immortals.

The Tree-entwined Pagoda is located in Mangshi No. 1 Primary School. The pagoda, which is more than 200 years old, is called “guangmu jielie” in the Dai language, meaning “pagoda of the Iron Town”. A banyan tree grew on top the pagoda, sanding its thick roots to tightly wrap up the pagoda. At first glance, it could hardly tell Whether the tree is entwining the pagoda or the pagoda was built underneath the tree. The rare natural scene is really a special treat to visitors.

The Bodhi Monastery is called “zhuangxiang” in the Dai language, meaning “ a temple of precious stones”. The monastery is located in the west of the central Xinan Road of Mangshi city. Architecture of the monastery features the blend of the Dai-style balustrade and railings with the Han-style roof and gable, while the multistory building shows tiered structures and upturned eaves. In the monastery, there were enshrined statues of Sakyamuni, the God Weishucong, the Goddess Wasongtalie and Guanyin (Avalokitesvara), all of which are delicately carved and richly colored, showing excellent workmanship.
The Palace of Culture of Ethnic Minorities is built at Qingnian Road of Mangshi city. Major construction of the Palace include the White Dragon Pavilion, the Munao Mudong and the Memorial Pavilion of Zhou Enlai. The magnificent buildings dotting amongst the thicket of oil palm trees and verdure bamboo bush make an enchanting scene, attracting both domestic and foreign visitors.

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