Sanqing Pavillion of Western Hills, Kunming
Chinese Name: 昆明西山三清阁
Chinese Name: Kunming Xishan Sanqing Ge
English Name: Sanqing Pavillion of Western Hills, Kunming
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Recommended Visiting Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Opening Time:
Tickets Fee:
Location: In West Hills of Kunming
Sanqing Pavilion (三清阁) is perched on the cliff of Luohan Hill, soaring over 300 meters (approximately 984 feet) above Dianchi Lake. Its breathtaking height and unique architectural style give it the appearance of a “castle in the air.” This temple, deeply influenced by Taoism, symbolizes the loftiest stature associated with ‘Sanqing.’ It serves as a remarkable location for temple visits and offers stunning panoramic views of Dianchi Lake.
Kunming Sanqing Pavilion is located in Luohan Mountain (罗汉山) to the south of Taihua Mountain (太华山). Originally a summer resort for King Yuanliang (元梁王), it was reconstructed as Yuhuang Pavilion (玉皇阁) in the early Ming Dynasty. Subsequent constructions included Sanqing Pavilion, Zhenwu Palace (真武殿), Saint Parents Palace (圣父母殿), Datian Pavilion (大天阁), and others, collectively known as “Sanqing Pavilion.” Today, it is a scenic highlight within Longmen Scenic Area (龙门景区).
Architectural Features
Sanqing Pavilion is a unique group of Taoist architectural complexes initially built as a summer palace for King Yuanliang during the Yuan Dynasty. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was remodeled into Yuhuang Pavilion, with most existing structures dating back to the Daoguang (道光) and Guangxu (光绪) eras of the Qing Dynasty. The complex comprises thirteen distinct buildings, including:
- Lingguang Palace (灵官殿)
- Sanfeng Hall (三丰殿)
- Lüzu Hall (吕祖殿)
- Yuan Emperor Hall (元帝殿)
- Zhenwu Hall (真武殿)
- Qizhen Hall (七真殿)
- Doumu Pavilion (斗母阁)
- Yuhuang Pavilion (玉皇阁)
- Feiyun Pavilion (飞云阁)
- Baoyi Palace (抱一宫)
- Zhang Xian Hall (张仙殿)
- Laojun Hall (老君殿)
These buildings are arranged in a tiered fashion along the mountainside, creating a striking visual landscape. From a distance, the structure resembles a nest of swallows or honeycombs, appearing to hang delicately.
Location
Sanqing Pavilion is located in the Luohan Mountain area of Kunming, Yunnan (云南昆明). Initially established as a summer retreat for King Yuanliang during the Yuan Dynasty, it was later converted into Yuhuang Pavilion in the early Ming Dynasty. The additional constructions, including Lingguan Hall, Sanqing Hall, and others, have collectively become known as “Sanqing Pavilion.”
Above Sanqing Pavilion, visitors can find the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟), which are carved into the sheer cliffs of Luohan Cliff (罗汉崖). These grottoes contain 22 Taoist statues, making them the largest Taoist grotto in all of Yunnan.
Historical Development
Sanqing Pavilion was originally built as a summer retreat for King Yuanliang and evolved into a significant Taoist temple. Over time, it developed into a nine-level, eleven-pavilion structure embedded in the cliff. Visitors ascending from Longmen Village (龙门村) encounter over 1,000 stone steps winding through ancient cypress trees and offering breathtaking views.
Due to its precarious position on a sheer cliff, the buildings rely on hand-hewn stone for stability, with lush greenery against the walls. The design of the pavilions evokes the heavenly abodes of Taoist immortals. The architectural ensemble is complemented by unique stones, natural caves, and clear springs. Among these is the “Filial Cow Spring” (孝牛泉), a site of legend where a butcher’s calf grabbed the knife intended for its mother, leading to a heartfelt act of mercy.
A couplet encapsulating the essence of the site states:
“To be here, one must reach the highest point;
To raise one’s head, one must be above the others.”
这无疑是人生应悟的哲理，但此时也是真实的写照。
Transportation
Visitors can reach the entrance of the scenic area by taking bus route 6 from Liangjiahe (梁家河) or bus route 51 from the Juhua Village (菊花村) bus station. Bus 6 runs every 8 minutes from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM, while bus 51 operates every 30 minutes from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
To facilitate tourism in the Xishan Scenic Area, the city’s taxi company has organized a fleet of tour buses that depart from the Central Art Theater (艺术剧院) directly to the Nie Er Cemetery (聂耳墓) within the scenic area, with services every 30 minutes from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
