Zhonglingshan Mountain in Xundian County, Kunming
The Zhonglingshan Scenic Area (钟灵山风景区) is located in Xundian Hui and Yi Autonomous County (寻甸回族彝族自治县), Kunming City (昆明市), Yunnan Province (云南省), adjacent to National Road 320 (320国道). The scenic area, centered around Zhonglingshan Mountain (钟灵山), covers an area of approximately 11 square kilometers and reaches an elevation of 2,330.5 meters. The Zhonglingshan National Forest Park (钟灵山国家级森林公园) is a tourist destination that integrates natural landscapes with historical and cultural attractions.
Overview of Zhonglingshan Scenic Area
The Zhonglingshan Scenic Area boasts rich natural resources, with unique mountain terrain featuring natural landforms like the Thirty-Six Drums (三十六鼓) and Seventy-Two Peaks (七十二峰). The area also incorporates historical and cultural sites, including the ruins of Zhongling Temple (钟灵寺), which dates back to the Ming Dynasty (明代), the pagoda forest of eminent monks from various dynasties, the ancient Yilong Post Road (易隆古驿道), the Guangling Ancient Battlefield (关岭古战场遗址), and the monument commemorating Zhuge Liang’s (诸葛亮) seven captures of Meng Huo (七擒孟获会盟碑址). These elements showcase the region’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
Zhonglingshan’s natural beauty includes features such as Flag Mountain (旗子山), Footprints of Immortals (仙人脚印), and Stone General (石将军), earning it the title of “the first Buddhist site in eastern Yunnan.” The Zhongling Temple, once one of the eight famous temples in southwest China, is home to 39 existing pagodas that hold significant value for studying the region’s historical religion, culture, and economy.
General Information
- Chinese Name: 钟灵山风景区
- Location: Next to National Road 320 in Xundian County, Kunming City (昆明市寻甸回族彝族自治县320国道旁)
- Opening Hours: 08:00 – 19:00
- Area: 11 km²
- Types of Scenery: Natural and historical cultural landscapes
Scenic Area Introduction
Zhonglingshan Scenic Area is characterized by natural formations such as the Thirty-Six Drums and Seventy-Two Peaks, alongside significant historical sites like the ruins of Zhongling Temple, the pagoda forest of eminent monks, the ancient Yilong Post Road, the site of the Guangling Ancient Battlefield, and the Zhuge Liang Commemorative Monument. Stretching south from Yilong along National Road 320, the area extends 5.5 km towards the Kunqu Highway (昆曲公路) and the Gui-Kun Railway (贵昆铁路), displaying spectacular and unique mountain topography.
The scenic route follows the Linchang mountain range to the southwest, known as Guansuo Ridge (关索岭). This region is densely forested with unique landscapes, featuring attractions such as Flag Mountain, Footprints of Immortals, Stone General, Granary Mountain, Tiger Roaring at the Moon, Morning Sunshine Viewing, Five Elders Observing Tai Chi, and White Horse Looking at the Golden Bell. Locally, it is popularly referred to as “the Thirty-Six Drums and Seventy-Two Flags.”
The scenic area is located 3 kilometers from the Kunqu Expressway (昆曲高速公路), with dense forests and steep terrain, providing fresh, humid air and acting as a natural oxygen bar. The existing pagoda forest has substantial scientific research value, crucial for studying the religious, cultural, and economic history of the Tangzi (塘子) area from 300 years ago. The Zhongling Temple on the mountain, founded during the Yuan Dynasty (元代), was once one of the eight famous temples in southwest China. It is now home to 39 pagodas and is celebrated as “the first Buddhist site in eastern Yunnan.”
Historical Background
Zhonglingshan is situated 35 kilometers west of Dengfeng City (登封市) and 6 kilometers north of Yingyang Town (颖阳镇), located at the junction of Zhengzhou (郑州) and Luoyang (洛阳). This area looks north to the Yellow River (黄河), south to Maling (马岭), west to Longmen (龙门), and east to Shaolin (少林). As recorded in the “Classic of Mountains and Seas” (山海经), it is recognized as the great bitter mountain and the site where Nuwa (女娲) molded humans from clay and repaired the heavens. Hence, it is known as the “first dragon mountain” in China and is considered one of the earliest cradles of human civilization.
Zhonglingshan stands over 1,400 meters high and stretches from east to west. Its surrounding mountains are sharply contoured, accessible only by a narrow winding path, famously referred to as “the only road of purple clouds since ancient times.” The eastern side features the Wanzhang Valley (万丈沟), the western side the Thousand-Fathom Gorge (千仞涧), the southern side the Southern Gate (南天门), and it connects to Huaiyu Village (怀玉寨) in the north.
The summit of Zhonglingshan is relatively flat, adorned with a stone wall that serves as a refuge during chaotic times, leading to its alternative name, Anpo Mountain (安坡山). A spot on the peak resonates like a drum when stepped upon, earning the name Ling Mountain (灵山).
Zhonglingshan is home to over fifty unique caves, such as Laomu Cave (老母洞), Ziyun Cave (紫云洞), Old Dragon Cave (老龙洞), Yellow Dragon Cave (黄龙洞), Five Gates Cave (五门洞), Flying Tiger Cave (飞虎洞), Flower Stone Cave (花石洞), and Medicine King Cave (药王洞), each accompanied by fascinating legends. The scenic area includes Zhangwan Valley (丈万谷), Thousand-Fathom Gorge, Ziyun Waterfall (紫云飞瀑), and Xiangyun Pass (祥云贯日), making it a stunningly beautiful destination.
The natural beauty of Zhonglingshan has made it a well-known tourist destination since ancient times. Its layers of peaks and tranquil caves, along with beautiful waterfalls and dragon pools, create an enchanting landscape. Ancient trees and resilient pines tower above, providing lush shade. In spring and summer, wandering through the sea of trees, one can bask in the fragrance of wildflowers blooming all over the mountains—some adorned in delicate red, others pure white, some a vibrant green, and others a rich dark hue. Temples and pavilions rise majestically atop the peaks or hide among the dense forests, accompanied by the gentle sound of mountain springs and the fluttering of colorful butterflies. The natural beauty is simply breathtaking. As the Ming Dynasty poet Gao Qi (高启) once wrote:
“Entering the mountains, flowers and branches are everywhere;
No matter the distance, the paths are unknown.”
入山无处不花枝，远近高低路不知。
