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🌄 In-Depth Exploration Guide to Lanping Jinji Temple (兰坪金鸡寺)

📍 Location & Overview

Perched on Jinji Mountain (金鸡山), about 12–15 km south of Jinding Town (金顶镇), Lanping County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, this ancient temple sits at an elevation of over 2,240 meters. Backed by Longfeng Mountain (龙凤山) and surrounded below by the Bi River (沘江), it’s conveniently accessible via the Golden Highway at the mountain’s foot. 🚗🌲

Founded in 1810 during the Qing Jiaqing era and extensively renovated in 1907 under Emperor Guangxu, the temple has been continuously expanded for over 130 years. It was designated a key cultural relic of Nujiang Prefecture in 1989 and is famously known as the “Oldest Temple in Western Yunnan.” 🏯✨

🏯 Architectural & Artistic Highlights

Temple Complex Carved Into the Mountain

Spanning about 1 square kilometer, Jinji Temple nestles into natural rock caves. Stairs and stone terraces carve paths between halls including Guanyin Pavilion (观音阁), Maitreya Hall (弥勒殿), and Jade Emperor Pavilion (玉皇阁).

Inside Guanyin Pavilion, statues of Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra grace the halls, alongside ancient drums and bronze bells. Near Maitreya Hall, the “Jiexing Terrace” offers panoramic views of Lanping County below. 🌄🙏

Cliff Inscriptions & Calligraphy

The cliff faces showcase engraved inscriptions, including bold couplets by the Republican-era county magistrate Yang Zhenpeng, such as “A Thousand Homes in Embrace” and “Worry for the People’s Woes, Rejoice for Their Joys,” all written in majestic regular script (欧楷).

Qing dynasty poems like “Clouds leave, moon comes, the mountain is carefree; pines prop up cliffs, and pavilions fly” blend Buddhist spirituality with the refined temperament of ancient scholars.

🌿 Visitor Experience Guide

Hiking & Viewing Routes

• Morning Light Route: Drive about 20 minutes from the county town to the mountain base, then climb roughly 800 stone steps to the summit (about 1 hour). Arrive before 10:00 AM to witness the spectacular sea of clouds floating below. ☁️🕗

• Highlights: During rainy season (June to October), expect swirling mists and thrilling cliffside plank roads. On clear days, the Bi River shines like a silver chain winding below, surrounded by lush terraced fields.

Cultural Immersion

Join the vibrant Spring Festival temple fair (Lunar New Year, days 2 to 6) and experience centuries of Buddhist devotion. Eco-friendly incense offerings are available at the entrance.

Nearby, descend to Shideng Village (石登村) to explore Nu ethnic culture and Lisu traditions.

⚠️ Practical Tips

• Open Year-Round with a modest entrance fee of 10 RMB.

• Bring windproof jackets and non-slip shoes — it can get windy and steep at the summit. Sun protection is a must on clear days.

• Incense must not be brought in by visitors; always seek permission before photographing inscriptions or local customs.

💎 Summary

Jinji Temple (金鸡寺) embodies the harmonious blend of Western Yunnan’s natural grandeur and rich human heritage — a perilous ancient shrine showcasing Qing-era craftsmanship, cliff carvings that reveal deep literary patriotism, and misty terraced fields that turn this hidden gem into a poetic mountain sanctuary.