High on the forested slopes of Cangshan's Lotus Peak, at an altitude of 2,350 meters, Dali Zhaoguang Monastery stands in quiet isolation. Established during the Song Dynasty near a flowing spring, the temple has borne many names, including Tingquan Temple and Banxi Temple. Its current name, meaning "Illuminated Light," comes from a Qing Dynasty monk who dreamed of golden light enveloping the grounds.

The physical reality of the monastery reflects a history of physical labor. When local devotees rebuilt the single-entry courtyard in 1994, the lack of an access road forced them to carry every roof tile, timber, and stone up the steep mountain paths on human backs and pack donkeys.Inside, statues of Shakyamuni, the Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha sit in the quiet mountain air, flanked by a small, two-story wooden wing.

This isolation preserves ancient legends. Local lore tells of the eccentric monk Moha, who meditated in a nearby cave, eating stones that he perceived as sweet potatoes. Yet, the modern reality of Zhaoguang is defined by a very different struggle with the mountain. In 2014, the monastery housed only three residents. Today, Zhaoguang Monastery remains a quiet, unregistered place of worship, accessible only by a narrow footway, suspended between ecological preservation and the human urge to protect a sacred home.