Guishan Park (龟山公园), established during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, is a historically and culturally rich park located in Shangri-La. The park is built on a hillside, with its pinnacle marked by the three-story Chaoyang Tower, the highest point in Dukezong Ancient Town. At the base of the hill lies an ancient well, providing fresh and sweet water to the entire town. In earlier times, it was a common sight to see groups of young women gathering at the well each morning, creating a picturesque scene in the ancient town.
The park is composed of several significant structures, including the prayer wheel, Big Buddha Temple, a Han temple, the Red Army Long March Museum, and the Diqing History Museum. Among these, Big Buddha Temple is situated at an elevation of 3300 meters atop Guishan Park. This five-story structure is a blend of brick and wood, designed in a style that integrates Han and Tibetan architectural elements. Visitors can experience the solemn and mysterious aura of Tibetan Buddhism here.
The prayer wheel in Guishan Park is particularly famous and is claimed to be the largest prayer wheel in the world. Standing approximately five stories high, the prayer wheel is made of pure copper plated with gold. The upper part of the wheel is adorned with relief carvings of the four major bodhisattvas: Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Avalokitesvara, and Ksitigarbha. The lower part features the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism. Inside the wheel are 1.24 million scrolls of scriptures, including mantras and other sacred texts, along with various Buddhist treasures, weighing a total of around 16 tons. The base of the prayer wheel is equipped with a ring of handrails, allowing people to push and turn the wheel. Turning this massive wheel requires the collective effort of several people. Each complete rotation is equivalent to reciting 1.24 million prayers, and turning it three times is believed to bring about blessings, peace, and prosperity.
From the vantage point of Guishan Park, visitors can look up to see the majestic, snow-capped mountains stretching endlessly, offering a breathtaking view. Looking down, one can take in the scenic beauty of Shangri-La, including the snow-covered rooftops and the shimmering waters of Qinglong Pond. The bright sunshine, pristine blue sky, and solemn temple gates add to the park’s infinite charm.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the eyar |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0887-8225390 |
Location and Transportation
Guishan Park is located at the end of Dukezong Ancient Town in Shangri-La, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, just to the east of Moonlight Square. Visitors can reach the park by taking bus routes 3 or 4 and getting off at the Guishan Park stop.
