Ming Yang
What’s Inside?
I almost skipped the Three Pagodas. Between the sweaty queue and the scorching sun, I was ready to give up. Then I spotted a small sign—“Combo Ticket.” That changed everything. In this guide, I’ll reveal how the Chongsheng Temple Three-Pagoda combination ticket saved me time and money, and how you can use it to see Dali’s two iconic sites without the usual headache.
What Exactly Is the Combo Ticket?
It’s a single ticket that grants you entry to both Chongsheng Temple (the Buddhist temple complex) and the Three Pagodas (the ancient pagoda group). Sounds simple, right? But here’s the catch: most tourists buy separate tickets at the gate and end up paying more. The combo is often overlooked because it’s not promoted heavily in English. You’ll find it only on specific online platforms or if you ask the right person.
The combo covers the entire site: the temple grounds, the pagoda area, and even the small museum inside. No hidden separate fees for the pagoda base or the reflection pond.
Pricing & Where to Buy
Prices change slightly by season, but here’s the current breakdown I verified in May 2026 (still valid as I update this):
| Ticket Type | Normal Price (CNY) | Combo Price (CNY) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | 75 (Temple) + 60 (Pagodas) = 135 | 100 | 35 CNY |
| Student (with valid ID) | Half price each | 50 | ~20 |
| Child (under 1.2m) | Free | Free | Free |
| Senior (60+) | Half price each | 50 | ~20 |
Where to buy: You can get the combo online via Trip.com or Klook (search “Dali Three Pagodas combo”). Offline, it’s sold at the main ticket office near the south gate, but the staff might not offer it first—you have to explicitly ask for “combo ticket” in Chinese or show this article. Many foreign travelers miss out because they just scan the QR code for separate tickets.
Pro tip: Always buy online at least a day before. Not only do you skip the ticket line, but you also lock in the price. I’ve seen the offline counter suddenly refuse combo sales during peak hours (they claim the system is down).
How to Skip the Queue
Queues are brutal between 10am and 2pm. The main entrance has only two open windows for foreigners (passport required), and each transaction takes 2-3 minutes. Here’s how I bypass the mess:
- Use the WeChat mini-program (search “崇圣寺三塔”). It’s all in Chinese, but your hotel reception can help you set it up. Pay via WeChat Pay or Alipay. Show the QR code at the turnstile.
- If you don’t have Chinese payment, go to the ticket machine near the east gate. It accepts international credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) but only for separate tickets. To get the combo, you must visit the staffed counter. So arrive before 9am or after 3pm to avoid crowds.
Warning: The ticket machine often has a language glitch—it shows English but then crashes. Don’t waste time. Head straight to the manual counter and show them a screenshot of the combo price from my table above.
Best Times to Visit
I always tell my groups: skip the morning rush. Most tour buses arrive between 9 and 10. Instead, aim for 3:30 PM. Why? The light turns golden around 4, and the crowds thin out after 4:30. The temple closes at 6 PM (last entry 5:30), so you have plenty of time.
If you’re a photographer, come back after 8 PM when the pagodas are lit. The reflection pond at the west side is empty then. Just note that the temple itself closes early, but you can see the pagodas from outside the wall for free.
Best Photo Spots (Not the Usual Ones)
Everyone takes the same shot from the main plaza. Boring. Here are my secret spots:
- Reflection pond (southwest corner): Walk past the main pagoda towards the small lake. The angle captures all three pagodas mirrored perfectly. Best at 10 AM or 4 PM.
- Hill behind the temple: A 5-minute climb (steep but safe) gives you an overhead view. I almost skipped it last year—now I never miss it.
- The bamboo grove near the east entrance: Few tourists go there. The light filters through leaves and creates a dreamy effect on the pagoda tips.
Reality check: The “classic” spot in front of the pagodas is always packed. If you insist, go at 11:30 AM when tour groups take lunch breaks. But honestly, the reflection pond is way better.
Money-Saving Tips from a Guide
After four years leading tours here, I’ve learned tricks that even guidebooks miss:
- Don’t buy water inside. A bottle costs 10 CNY at the temple shop, but 2 CNY at the convenience store 100 meters from the gate. Stock up.
- Skip the electric cart (20 CNY). The site is compact. Walking the entire loop takes 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace. The cart only saves 5 minutes because of pedestrian-only zones.
- Use the combo ticket for two days. Though officially valid for one entry only, the ticket is rarely checked for date. I’ve seen people reuse it the next morning (entering via the east gate). No guarantee, but worth a try.
- Combine with Dali Ancient Town. The combo ticket doesn’t include the old town, but they are 20 minutes apart by bus (bus 4 from the east gate). Plan a half-day trip for both.
Also, the museum inside the temple has free English audio guides—ask at the counter. They don’t advertise it, but I always request one and the staff hands me a small device.
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Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
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