Giant Prayer Wheel of Dafo Temple

The Giant Prayer Wheel of Dafo Temple stands on the hilltop above Shangri-La's old town, beside the Sun and Moon Pavilion that crowns Dukezong. Covered in gilded copper relief, it is one of the largest outdoor prayer wheels in the Tibetan cultural world and a visual anchor for the city below.

The barrel of the wheel is encircled by relief panels depicting the major bodhisattvas of Tibetan Buddhism, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Avalokiteshvara, and Ksitigarbha in the upper register, with the eight auspicious symbols of the tradition around the base. Inside, the wheel is said to contain a very large number of copies of Buddhist mantras, together with sacred objects totaling several tons in weight. As with all Tibetan prayer wheels, each clockwise revolution is understood to "activate" the recitation of those mantras, multiplying the merit generated by the act.

Turning the wheel is a cooperative endeavor. A constant rotation of visitors and local pilgrims grips the painted handles and walks clockwise around the base, several people pushing at once to keep the barrel moving; the chant of Om mani padme hum usually accompanies the turning, and a low rumble from the interior bearings carries down the hill. The site draws a steady stream of Tibetan residents from across the Diqing prefecture throughout the day, with peak crowds at dusk.

For international visitors, the prayer wheel is both an architectural landmark and a working religious site. The path up from Dukezong involves a steep staircase that takes about fifteen minutes; the views across the old town and out to the surrounding peaks are reason enough to make the climb. As with all Tibetan Buddhist sites, visitors should walk clockwise around the wheel and refrain from pointing the soles of the feet at sacred objects.