Mengle Dafo Temple (勐泐大佛寺, Mengle Grand Buddha Temple) stands as a reconstructed symbol of the ancient royal temple “Jingpiao Temple” of the Dai Kingdom. Originally built to commemorate the late queen Nanshawei, the temple’s historical significance dates back to the Ming Dynasty under King Bolong. Located in the heart of the Dai culture, it represents a pivotal landmark of Theravada Buddhism, serving as a focal point for Buddhist activities in Xishuangbanna.
Perched gracefully on the mountainside, the temple sprawls across 400 mu of land, with a staggering vertical drop of 122.8 meters. Its unique architecture mimics the form of a sitting Buddha, setting it apart as an architectural marvel revered both domestically and internationally.
Theravada Buddhism profoundly influenced various aspects of Dai society, including politics, economics, and cultural arts. The introduction of Buddhism led to the emergence of hundreds of epic narrative poems among the Dai people. Across Xishuangbanna, adherence to Theravada Buddhism is widespread, with Dai boys typically entering monastic life between the ages of 8 to 10. During their time in the temple, they study scriptures and learn literacy skills, often returning to secular life after 1 to 5 years.
Today, Xishuangbanna’s Dai villages are dotted with over 500 temples and 200 stupas, each contributing to the region’s spiritual landscape. Among them, Mengle Dafo Temple reigns supreme as the largest and most revered, holding a sacred place in the hearts of the Dai people as a sanctuary of unparalleled significance.
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Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Admission: 120 RMB Admission + Sightseeing Bus: 160 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00; Last admission: 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0691-8998555 0086-0691-8998561 |
Location and Transportation
Mengle Dafo Temple is located in Manlong Feng, Jinghong City, the capital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, just 4 kilometers away from downtown Jinghong, near the Manting Park. To get there, you can take bus Jinghong 2 and get off at Mengle Dafo Temple Stop (勐泐大佛寺站).
Highlights of Mengle Dafo Temple
Scripture Pavilion
The Scripture Pavilion, known as “Hongtan” or “Yetan” in the Dai language, serves as the repository for scriptures. During the Danta Festival each year, various scriptures, including valuable Dai-language palm-leaf and cotton-paper scriptures, are offered to the temple by the public. Skilled monks spend three days reciting and selecting valuable scriptures, which are then transcribed onto palm leaves, bound, and stored in the pavilion for dissemination at appropriate times. The Dai-language Tripitaka, boasting 84,000 volumes, with the majority inscribed on palm leaves, is a significant collection housed in this pavilion.
Jingpiao Hall
The Jingpiao Hall, the central structure of the temple, is where the monastic community gathers for daily practice and worship. It enshrines the Buddha image of Shakyamuni, the founding teacher. Reconstructed on the site of the original “Wajingpiao” (Jingpiao Temple), the hall stands as an imposing edifice measuring 49 meters in length, 29 meters in width, and 35 meters in height. Inspired by the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, the hall embodies the essence of Xishuangbanna architecture, representing the pinnacle of similar structures.
Auspicious Buddha Statue
Born, raised, and enlightened in the human realm, Shakyamuni Buddha spent 45 years spreading his teachings, illuminating the path to enlightenment. The towering 45-meter Auspicious Buddha statue, facing south to north, radiates compassion and wisdom. The left hand, palm facing outward and naturally drooping, symbolizes the elimination of greed, anger, ignorance, and delusion. The right hand, with fingers forming a gesture of auspiciousness, rests peacefully on the chest, teaching harmony and tranquility, freeing beings from suffering’s shackles.