Damenglong Stupa 大勐龙白塔
Damenglong Stupa Overview
The white Damenglong Stupa, located about 60 kilometers south of Jinghong, is perched on top of a small hill behind the village of Manfeilong. Built in 1204, it is the oldest of the Xishuangbanna ruins, but also one of the three most famous Theravada temples in Yunnan. With its main stupa in the center, and its eight others surrounding it, it has a very elegant shape often compared to a bunch of bamboo shoots.
The site was built about 800 years ago by villagers, at the time when Buddhism was introduced to the region. The materials used were sand and glutinous rice flour used as a binder and glue. The stupa is well known throughout Southeast Asia because it contains a footprint found in a small concavity and left by Buddha himself according to Dai Buddhist belief.
The white stupa of Damenglong is fortunately preserved from the onslaught of tourists, leaving the site calm, serene and conducive to the practice of religion. The visit to the stupa is affordable for all. However, you can indulge in further investigations by visiting the surrounding Dai villages. The entrance fee is currently 80 RMB. The stupa was renovated in 2015.