Originally built in the 9th century during the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, it served as the official royal temple. Nine kings of the ancient Kingdom of Dali actually abdicated their thrones to retire and become monks here. Though the original wooden temple complex was destroyed by fire in the late Qing Dynasty, it was grandly reconstructed in 2005 based on historical records, making it one of the largest Buddhist complexes in East Asia. #travelphotography #china #yunnan #chongshengtemple #Dali #streetphotography