The dagobas are located on Xiakou Mountain in Qingtongxia County on a slope of the west bank of the Yellow River. They are arranged in triangle of twelve rows.
The dagoba at the tip of the triangle on top of the slope is bigger than the others. They are all Lamaist dagobas with an octagonal Sumeru pedestal supporting the inverted-bowl-style main body crowned with a bead. The brick dagobas are painted white.
According to historical records and the dagobas structure, they must have been built early in the Ming Dynasty. Descriptions of the dagobas appear in local history books published in the mid-Ming Dynasty.
As to the purpose and meaning of the dagobas, there are different explanations. Some say that early in the Ming Dynasty one hundred eight officers and men died on the banks of the Yellow River while defending the Great Wall from enemy attacks, and the dagobas were built and arranged in a formation to commemorate them, the one at the head being the commanding general.
How to get to 108 Dagobas: Head by bus or train to Qingtongxia, which will normally drop you off in the city ( Qingtongxia shi ), although more conveniently in the town ( Qingtongxia zhen ). From the city a taxi, motor-rickshaw or bus will carry you on to the Dagobas. From the town you can grab a rickshaw, bus, taxi or even hike.












