Entity
Fengxiang Liufo Twin Stupas
Dali, Yunnan, China
Along the historic Daguan Road in Fengxiang Village, within Yunnan's Eryuan County, stand two solid stone structures known as the Fengxiang Liufo Twin Stupas. Built during the late Qing Dynasty by local Bai residents, these roadside monuments represent a communal effort to secure seasonal peace, livestock prosperity, and longevity.
The name 'Liufo' translates to 'retaining the Buddha,' originating from a local story of human anxiety and divine homesickness. Long ago, the villagers invited a deity called the Buddha Mother from neighboring Fotang Village to protect their homes. She frequently slipped away to return to her birthplace. On the advice of a prominent Buddhist monk, the community erected these stone anchors to encourage her to stay.
Architecturally, the twin stupas reflect thirteenth-century Tibetan-style lamaist designs. They feature distinctive bottle-shaped stupa forms, characterized by constricted lower sections and bulging upper bodies. Each stupa rests on an octagonal Sumeru pedestal. The North Stupa rises approximately six meters on a double-tiered base, while the South Stupa stands at 5.2 meters on a single-tiered base. Their steeples consist of stacked cylinders of varying sizes, supported by short steeple poles, creating a robust, ancient aesthetic.
For generations, these stones have weathered the mountain winds and roadside dust. In 2012, the government recognized their historical value, designating them as part of the provincial-level Fengyu Ancient Architecture Group. To ensure their survival, stonemasons completed a comprehensive restoration project in January 2022. Approved by the Dali Prefecture Cultural Relics Bureau, this preservation work secured the physical authenticity of the stupas. Today, they remain standing on both sides of the road, silent guardians of a village's ancient promise.