Why is Golden Temple so special?

Golden Temple is the biggest and heaviest as well as the best preserved copper temple in China. It is a key national cultural and historical relics. The whole temple reflects the excellent metallurgical and casting technology more than 300 years ago in Yunnan.

the History of Golden Temple

What to See in Golden Temple

1. Golden Temple Heaven Gate

2. The Bell Tower

The Bell Tower was constructed in 1983. In the middle of the tower hangs a copper bell which is 3.5 meters high, has a circumference of 6.7 meters, and weighs 14 tons.The bell, cast in 1423 A.D., the 21st year of the Yongle Period of the Ming Dynasty, was previously installed in Xuanhua Tower at the south gate of Kunming. It ranks fourth on the list of ancient bells in China.

3. Botanical Garden

The Landscape and Botanical Garden of Kunming covers 33 hectares. So far nine flower gardens, such as the Camellia Garden, Yulan Magnolia Garden and Azalea Garden,have already been established in it. The Camellia Garden, the largest camellia garden with the most varieties of camellia trees in China, covers an area of more than 10 hectares and has more than 10,000 camellia trees of 40 varieties.

4. Kingdom of Nonferrous Metals

Golden Temple and Yongle Bell vividly show that Yunnan has been the “kingdom of nonferrous metals”, and the botanical garden exhibits the beauty and elegance of Yunnan as the “kingdom of plants” and the “kingdom of the flowers”.

What to Do in Golden Temple?

1. Exploring Taoism Culture

The famous Golden Temple is part of the Taoist Taihe Palace, founded by Yu Ming for 30 years, and restored by Wu Sangui. Tourists can enjoy the rich culture of Taoism here.

2. Visiting Golden Temple Fair

Golden Temple Fair is an ancient traditional folk custom and cultural activities, which aims to pray for the new year. The Golden Temple Fair, held on the ninth day of the first lunar month, has a history of more than 400 years and is a well-known traditional festival of the Spring Festival in Kunming. Whenever the “Golden Temple Fair”, people from all directions are all bustling to the Golden Temple to visit temple fair

3. Watching Camellia of Golden Temple

Golden Temple enjoy thousands of pots of camellia, also known as camellia, is one of the eight famous flowers in Yunnan, its cultivation history has been more than 500 years. Yunnan is called the hometown of camellia. Camellia is also the city flower of Kunming. In late winter and early spring, a hundred flowers still sleep and leaves fall, but the camellia puff in full bloom.Golden Temple’s camellias welcome the tourists from all directions.

Best Time to Visit Golden Temple

From March to October is the best time to travel, in the spring and summer the scenery is the best. The scenery in winter is simple, and it is not very good to visit as in other season.

How to Get Golden Temple?

By Bus

1. Take bus 76 to Jindian (Golden Temple) station.
2. Take bus 10, 69, 71, 147, 235, Z85, or Z90 to Jindian Chechang.

By Taxi

It takes tourists about half an hour to get Golden Temple from downtown of Kunming.

Cable Car

It can be reached by cable car from the Expo Garden or by ropeway from the Expo Garden.

Nearby Attractions

Why is Yuantong Temple so special?

Yuantong Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Kunming with a history of more than 1200 years. It is also the largest temple in Kunming.

Introduction

The History of Yuantong Temple

Style Of Yuantong Temple

Yuantong temple sites have tall spectacular Yuantong Shengjingfang, Yuantong Palace, Octagonal Pavilion and at present the only one Theravada Buddhism of the China mainland—copper buddist hall. The copper Buddha sitting statue inside the hall (3.5 meters high, weighing 4 tons) and Yuantong Palace Sakyamuni statue are in different shapes and show the differences between the two sect of Buddhism. Yuantong Temple looks magnificent, towering and the Buddha is solemn, pavilions are unique, trees are green, attracts generations of poets and painters left many praise verse here, and it has been one of the eight sights of Kunming. Now, after reparation, it shows more its elegant appearance, like a beautiful garden in regions south of the Yangtze River.

Main Attraction in Yuantong Temple

Architecture

The extant buildings include the Yuantong Wonderful Realm (圆通胜境坊), Octagonal Pavilion (八角亭), Yuantong Hall (圆通殿), Copper Buddha Hall (铜佛殿), and etc.

Yuantong Wonderful Realm

This old temple is noted for its unusual structure which is high at the front and low at the back, From the front archway named “Yuantong Shengjing” (Wonderland), one can behold the entire garden.

Yuantong Hall

To the north is the splendid Yuantong main hall. At both sides of the hall are covered corridors running beside clear pools. This structure of a Buddhist hall surrounded by water is unique in China. The main hall maintains the style of the Yuan dynasty architecture. Circling the two central pillars inside the hall are two giant dragons carved during the Ming dynasty. The blue and yellow dragons face each other, as if they are ready to fight.

The stone staircases on both sides of the main hall are carved out of the cliff and are known as the “Caizhilu.” From here one can climb to the top of the mountain. Beside the path are the most ancient inscriptions in Kunming. Weathering in the wind and rain for centuries, the characters are still clear today, and they are one of the most important historical relics in the city.

Behind the main hall are two caves, the “Yougu” and “Chaoying”. The caves wind far into the mysterious depths of the mountain, and, according to local legend, were once the home of dragons. In the Nanzhao Kingdom, a monk built a temple beside the cliff to entice the dragons. When the temple was destroyed, he built a terrace on which to perform magic on the dragons. Sun Ranweng, author and writer of the long antithetical couplet hung on the Daguan Belvedere, used to make a living by predicting people’s fortunes here.

Copper Buddha Hall

In 1982, Thai Buddhists sent a copper statue of Sakymuni to Yuantong Temple as a symbol of friendship, and the statue is three and a half meters high and four tons in weight. A few years later, in 1985, a Copper Buddha Hall was built in a combination of Chinese and Tai styles to house this exquisite gift.

Other Atrractions

Yuan Dynasty Statues

Sakymuni, Amitabha and the Medicine Buddha, all Yuan Dynasty statues, are found in the main hall. The surrounding 500 Buddhist Arhats who are carved in the walls are rare treasures noted for their perfect proportions and lively appearances. Also in this hall are two ten meter high pillars from the Ming Dynasty that are each engraved with a dragon – one yellow and one green – who are trying to extend their bodies and claws into the air as if they are ready to fly. Like the Arhats, they impart the feeling that at any moment they could spring into action.

Stone Staircases

Outside, on each side of the main hall, there are stone staircases that are carved out of the mountainside and wind their way to the top of the hill. As you climb these stairs, there are ancient inscriptions along the way and various tone artworks that are considered the most important historical relics in Kunming. From the top of the stairs, you are presented with a terrific panoramic view of the entire complex. It is from here that you can most appreciate the architecture of the remarkable temple complex.

Buddhist Scriptures

Surrounding the temple pond are a series of halls where you will find old women praying, people sitting and chatting, ongoing classes in Buddhist scriptures, a magnificent calligraphy studio, an exhibit of temple photographs taken at the end of the Qing Dynasty by Auguste de Francois, a shop, a restaurant, and more.

Yuantong Temple is a working temple that also represents the Buddhism of China today. Along with the patronage of the local people of Kunming and Yunnan in general, Buddhists from around the world come here on pilgrimages to pay homage, there are special Buddhist services two times each month, and the Buddhist Association of Yunnan Province is located here. This temple plays a very important role in history and in the modern world.

Nearby Attractions 

Yunnan Ethnic Villages

This theme park displays the colorful folklore and architecture of 25 ethnic groups residing in Yunnan Province. The theme park offers shows and performances, folklore and wax museums, as well as replica buildings found in the villages of each ethnic group.

The Western Hills and Dragon Gate

Western Hills boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers and dense forest, providing tourists an excellent environment to enjoy the tranquility and marvelous scenery. They have also been given another name – ‘Sleeping Beauty Hills’ for the hills because its skyline looks like a beautiful young lady laying beside Dianchi Lake with her face upward and her hair trailling into water.

The Golden Temple

Golden Temple was built in Ming dynasty and was reconstructed by Wu Sangui in the 10th year of the Kangxi Period (1671 A .D.) made by brass which is the mixture of copper and zinc. That’s why it is named as “the golden temple”. It is totally weighted250 tons and 6.7 meters high; it isthe biggest and heaviest as well as the best preserved copper templein China.

How to Get There

By Subway

Take Subway Line 2 to Chuanxingulou and walk west for about 15mins to the Yuantong Temple.

By Bus

1.Take bus 85, 92, 95, 100, 101, 119, 187, 235 or Z5 to Yuantongjie.
2.Take bus 4, 59, 74, 83, 129, 234, A2, or Z63 to Yuantongshan.

Recommended Yuantong Temple Tours

Top 3 Yuantong Temple tours chosen by most customers to explore Yuantong Temple in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us. We provide some tour routes for tourists to choose.

1 Day Kunming Temples Tour
1 Day Kunming City Discovery Tour
4 Days Best Kunming City Tour with The Stone Forest

Why is Bamboo Temple so special?

Bamboo Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in Yunnan. These life-sized clay figures are stunning – either very realistic or very surrealistic. Down one huge wall come the incredible surfing Buddhas, some 70 odd, riding the waves on a variety of mounts – blue dogs, giant crabs shrimp, turtles, unicorns. One gentleman has meter long eyebrows; another has an arm that shoots clear across the hall to the ceiling.

Introduction

Legend of Bamboo Temple

During the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), Yunnan was a separate country called Dali. One day, while two brothers of royal lineage were hunting in the hills outside Kunming, they spotted a bizarre rhinoceros. With hopes of capturing it, they followed the rhinoceros deep into the woods of Yu’an Mountain where the magical animal suddenly disappeared. Just as they lost sight of the rhinoceros, the brothers saw a group of monks who were unlike any monks they had seen before. When the monks saw the brothers, they vanished in clouds leaving only their walking sticks planted in the ground. By the following day, these walking sticks had become an entire bamboo forest. The amazed brothers knew that they had met enlightened, supernatural beings and, in order to honor them, they built Bamboo Temple in the forest of bamboo.

Even though this is a marvelous story, it does not follow the historic record. Account of the Bamboo Temple dates back to the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279), but it was during the Yuan Dynasty (around 1280) that a highly renowned monk, who was reputed to have learned Buddhism from central China, gave his teachings that brought great fame to the temple as a spiritual center. After a devastating fire, the Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) rebuilt the Bamboo Temple by adding five pavilions during the late 1880’s. Its most outstanding artistic (and perhaps spiritual) feature is the distinguished, finely crafted statues of the 500 Luohans (Buddhist Arhats, or ‘enlightened ones’) sculpted by the brilliant artist, Li Guangxiu.

What to See in Bamboo Temple?

The Great Buddha’s Hall

Huayan Pavilion

Five Hundreds Arhats

What to Do in Bamboo Temple?

1. Admiring Architectural Pattern

2. Exploring Buddhist Culture

Bamboo Temple is the first temple of Chinese Buddhist Zen sect into Yunnan. On October 12, 1994, Bamboo Temple was inaugurated and the Buddha statue opened. The abbot of Bamboo Temple, Mingdao Elder, hold the consecration ceremony.

How to Get to Bamboo Temple

Recommended Bamboo Temple Tours

Travel tips

Why is Huating Temple so special?

Huating Temple is located at Xishan Mountain Forest Park in Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province. Different from other temples, it faces east not south. The temple was frist built in 1063, during Song Dynasty, covering an area of 12,000 square meters in rectangle. The temple is axisymmetric and closed courtyard type. Huating Temple is the largest temple in Yunnan province. It was released as one of the kunming municipal cultural relics protection units.

Introduction

The History of Huating Temple

Yuan Dynasty

The temple was first established by Xuantong Yuanfeng (玄通元峰) in 1320, during the mid-Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). The construction was completed in 1334. In 1339, Xuantong Yuanfeng brought a set of Chinese Buddhist canon to the temple after he visited Jiangnan. At that time it initially called “Yuanjue Temple” (圆觉寺).

Ming Dynasty

In 1441, Emperor Yingzong of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) renamed it “Huating Temple” (华亭寺). This name has been used to date. In 1453, Emperor Yingzong sent an eunuch named Li Yi (黎义) to renovate and redecorate the temple.
After the fall of the Ming dynasty, Huating Temple was devastated by wars.

Qing dynasty

In 1687, during the reign of Kangxi Emperor (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), the provincial governor of Yunnan Wang Jiwen (王继文) rebuilt the temple.
In 1857, in the Xianfeng era (1851–1861), Part of the temple was badly damaged in the Hui Uprising.
Huating Temple was restored in 1883 with a small-scale.

Republic of China

In 1920, Military Governor of Yunnan Tang Jiyao invited Hsu Yun to disseminate Buddhism. Hsu Yun supervised the reconstruction of Huating Temple.

People’s Republic of China

In 1969, the Buddhist Texts Library became dilapidated for neglect. It was demolished in the following year.
Huating Temple has been designated as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China in 1983.

Sturcture of Huating Temple

The architecture style of the Huating Temple is deeply affacted by palace style rule and Confucian culture. Along the central axis of the whole temple, there are Free Life Pond, Hall of Heavenly King, Eight Merit Pool, Mahavira Hall and Depository of Buddhist Sutras.

What to See in Huating Temple

Along the lateral axis from Mahavira Hall, there are scripture hall, ancestor’s hall, abbot’s quarter, Sengtang, living room, bath house, warehouse and so on. And the Mahavira Hall is the center of the temple.

Architecture

The Mahavira Hall: Along the central axis are the Four Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall and Buddhist Texts Library: There are over 10 halls and rooms on both sides, including Guru Hall, Abbot Hall, Monastic Dining Hall, Monastic Reception Hall and Meditation Hall.

Four Heavenly Kings Hall: Statues of lion and elephant stands in front of the Four Heavenly Kings Hall. On both sides of the hall there are the statues of Heng and Ha. In the center of the hall enshrines the statues of Maitreya Buddha and Skanda. Statues of Four Heavenly Kings are enshrined in the left and right side of the hall.

Mahavira Hall: The Mahavira Hall enshrining the statues of Sakyamuni, Amitabha and Bhaisajyaguru. In front of Sakyamuni stand Ananda and Kassapa Buddha on the left and right. At the back of Sakyamuni’s statue are statues of Guanyin and Twenty-four Gods of Heaven. Totally 500 niches with small statues of Arhats are carved on both sides of the bounding walls.

Other Attractions

The Bell Tower: The gate of Huating Temple is a high and grand Bell Tower withcornices and old trees there. There is a pool with lots of fish in it. In summer, the white and red lotus are very beautiful in the pond.

Eight Merit Pool: Out of the Heavenly King Hall, you will enter a two layer courtyard, the lower layer is small and exquisite. There is a stone bridge on the Eight Merit Pood which divides the pond into two parts. There are rockery and fishes in the pond. There are also planted wisteria purple, podocarpus, camellia, ginkgo, magnolia. Under the rattan shade, there are stone tables for visitors to have a rest. The upper courtyard stand a giant stone incense burner in the midlle. Incense smoke all day, giving a sense of vulgarity.

What to Do in Huating Temple?

1. Exploring Buddhism Culture

The Huating Buddhist Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple that was originally a retreat for the local ruler. Sitting at the foot of Mount Huating, it is one of the best-preserved Buddhist temples in Kunming. The main temple contains a trinity of gilded lacquer Buddhas seated on lotus thrones. It is characterized by blue hair, august gesture and sumptuous setting.

2. Tying Wishing Red Ribbon

Tourists can buy a red ribbon in Huating Temple, then make a wish, tie the red ribbon on the tree, pray for the wish to come true.

3. Watching Plants

The temple is famous for its rare flowers and trees. Many camellia, magnolia, sweet-scented osmanthus and others trees were planted in and outside the temple, made the temple the best place to enjoy the flowers.

How to Get there?

By Bus

People can take public bus No.6, 17, 18, 21, , 51 and 94 to Xinshan Park Station, then walk to Huating Temple.

By Taxi

A taxi to the temple entrance from downtown of Kunming should cost roughly 50 yuan. 

Travel Tips

1. Visitors are advised to always carry changes of clothing due to the large variations in temperature between day and night.
2. The climate is relatively dry, so drink more water every day.
3 Protecting oneself from strong UV radiation at high altitude.
4. Protecting oneself from altitude sickness. Lessen the effects of altitude sickness, avoid strenuous exercise and have plenty of rest.
5. Respect local customs , habits, and religious beliefs.

Miaogao Temple in Wuhua District, Kunming(昆明五华区妙高寺)

Haiyuan Temple in Xishan District, Kunming(昆明西山区海源寺)

Baohua Temple in Guandu District, Kunming(官渡区宝华寺)
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%AE%9D%E5%8D%8E%E5%AF%BA/6755257?fr=aladdin 

Chinese Name:滇池龙王庙

English Name: Longwang Temple (Temple of Dragon King) at Dianchi Lake, Kunming City

Location: Next to the Western Dianchi Cable Car Station at Haigeng Park, Xishan District, Kunming City

Openning Time: Open Year-Round

Overview

Dianchi Longwang Temple was built at the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, making it around 300 years old. It is located in the western part of Haigeng Park in the Dianchi Lake tourist resort area in Kunming, facing the famous Xishan Longmen across the lake. The Longwang Temple was once an important site for fishermen and indigenous residents around Dianchi Lake to pray for wind and rain, wishing for plentiful harvests and national peace. Inside the temple, deities such as the Central Lord Huanglong Wang, Liuwang (the son-in-law of the Dragon King), Dragon Princess, Wanjian God, Maritime General, and both Civil and Military Wealth Gods, along with Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals, were once worshipped.

Throughout the vicissitudes of history, Longwang Temple has undergone several destructions and restorations. In 2009, Kunming City decided to restore this historical and cultural site. After extensive research, analysis, and relevant discussions, it was ultimately determined to rebuild Longwang Temple at its original site in accordance with the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The restored Dianchi Longwang Temple covers an area of 1,888.07 square meters, with a building area of 740 square meters, including the mountain gate, main hall, and left and right wings, totaling 23 rooms. The temple still houses Taoist statues of the Dragon King, his son and daughter, Cihang Zhenren, and Guansheng, and strictly follows Taoist rituals to conduct religious activities.

Taiping Temple (太平寺) is located at No. 13, Helen International, Jinyuan Avenue, Guandu District (官渡区), Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is approximately 2 kilometers from Guandu Walking Street (官渡步行街), Guandu King Kong Pagoda (官渡金刚塔), Kunming Zhuangyuan Street (昆明状元街), Guandu Ancient Town (官渡古镇), and Wanghailou (望海楼). The temple is also about 1.5 kilometers from Erji Road Metro Station (珥季路地铁站), Xiaodong Village Metro Station (晓东村地铁站), and Changhong West Road Metro Station (昌宏西路地铁站).

Overview of Taiping Temple

Taiping Temple is a Taoist (道教) architectural site that serves as a venue for the dissemination of Taoist culture throughout history. The temple complex consists of a main hall, side halls, and a pagoda within the grounds.

Transportation

Visitors can reach Taiping Temple easily by taking the Z67, 173, 174, or 232 bus routes to Taiping Temple Station (太平寺站).

Chinese Name: 昆明平政街大德寺

English Name: Dade Temple in Kunming

Location: Kunming Huashan East Road

Overview

Location of Taihua Temple

The magenificent and solemn Taihua Temple is located on the mountiainside of Taihua Hill in Kunming Xishan Forest Park. Taihua Hill has Dianchi Lake to its east, Huating Hill, Biji Mountain to its north. It is the highest peak in the Western Hills.

The History of Taihua Temple

Outside the mountain gate, a ginkgo tree, tall and bulky, according to legend it was planted by Ming dynasty emperor Jianwen personally. Emperor Jianwen is the eldest grandson of Ming dynasty’s founding emperor Zhu Yanzhang, after he succeed to the throne he started weakening the vassal states because vassals maintained armies and defy orders from the central government. But he was not capable and experienced as Emperor Kangxi in the later Qing dynasty, King of Yan Zhudi was provoked and has sent his troops to siege and attack Nanjing. City was broke through, “the palace was on fire, and the emperor has not to know the whereabouts.” From then on, Emperor Jianwen’s whereabouts has been a riddle. In fact, Empeoror Jianwen was most likely run out of the palace and became the monk living on the Yunnan-Guizhou region. It was said that Emperor Jinwen was stayed in Taihua Temple as monk for 5 years, though these hearsays were not written in the official history, but heardays may not be entirely groundless. Throughout Taihua Temple, it experienced the vicissitudes of life and is still standing, towering and majestic.

Structure and Architecutres of Taihua Temple

Taihua Temple sits west and face the east. It is in broad scale and rigorous layout. The courtyard and turret shows a multi-ethnic tradition bucket structure. In the temple, pavilions, galleries, pools merge in to a picture, quiet and tranquil. Taking the Mahavira Hall as the center, the two side has verandas connecting with the pavilions. The entire architecture area of the temple is 3562 square meters. The style of the architecture is between Beijing palace garden architecture and Suzhou garden style.

The main architecture is the Heavely King Hall with single eaves jehiel. It is 3-room wide, and 2-room deep, covering an area of 367.5 square meters. The middle of the hall is a wood carving Avalokitesvara Statue with his hands clasped together, standing on a lotus shrine. It is about two meters high.

The highest point of Taihua Temple is the famous Mercy House, built in the Qing Xianfeng years. Later it was ruind, and In 1883, it was renovated, covering 582 square meters. There is now worshipping three bronze Buddhas: Dharmakaya Vairocana, Sambhogakaya Lushena Buddha, and Conduct Sakyamuni Buddha. Each Buddha is 2.8 meters high with charity face and golden body.

Attraction Introduction

Taihua Temple, also known as the Foyan Temple, was founded by the first Yunnan Zen master Xuanjian. The king of Liang state gave temple the name Foyan Temple, but later name after Taihua Mountain. It has went through over seven hundred years wind and rain erosion, years of vicissitudes of life and destroyed by war, and in Ming and Qing dynasties it was expanded and repaired for many times, but the main temple is still keeping the Yuan dynasty architectural style.

Taihua Temple is facing east, and it has a large scale and rigorous layout. Pavilion, gallery and pool inside the temple what is quiet and beautiful. Centered on the Great Buddha’s Hall, there are two verandas aside the hall, connects with two wing pavilions, all building covers an area of 3562 square meters. The construction art is distinctive, its style is between Beijing palace garden construction and artificial garden architecture in Suzhou.

Stepping up, the first thing you encounter in is the middle of stone memorial archway banner with carved characters “峻极云霄 (to high to touch the sky)”, and there is a couplet in the stone column which expressed the earnest concern to the society by the Buddhism.

What to See in Taihua Temple? 

Hall of Heavenly King: Hall of Heavenly King is single hipped-gable roof, it is three rooms wide, two rooms deep, the hall is nearly 20 meters high, covers an area of 367.5 square meters. A wooden carving Buddhism goodness Guanyin is in the middle of the hall with hands folded, look kindly, well-dressed standing on the lotus shrine, it is about two meters high, and it is the remain of Qing dynasty emperor Kangxi period. Both sides of the hall are famille rose four heavenly kings statues with majestic looks, all as high as three meters. Weituo wears golden armor on the back of the hall, which shows the dignity of guardian deity, and it was said that this statue was created by Li Guangxiu in Qing dynasty Guangxu period, whose creation technique focuses on mental state and the inner world, image lifelike and guileless that closer to the characters in real life.

The Great Buddha’s Hall: Across the yard and go into the Great Buddha’s Hall, it is five rooms wide, four rooms deep, the hall is nearly 30 meters high, covers an area of 484 square meters. The Great Buddha’s Hall is supported by 22 columns, the roof consists of purlin, chuandou framing system. Its veranda’s four drum-shaped stone blocks are supported by four huge pillars, carved beams and painted rafters are gorgeous, which was built in the Yuan dynasty (1306).

Dabei Pavilion (Great Mercy Pavilion): The highest place of Taihua Temple is the famous Dabei Pavilion, built in the reign of Xianfeng in Qing dynasty and later it was destroyed by war. In ninth year of Guangxu period (1883) the temple was repaired, covers an area of 582 square meters. Now the pavilion contains three of copper Buddha statues, Dharmakaya Mahavairocana, sambhogakaya Vairocana Buddha and Shakyamuni Buddha and each 2.8 meters high, they were remains in Kangxi period.

Sizhao Room: Taihua Temple has many annexes. Originally in the north of the Great Buddha’s Hall was “Sizhao Room” which was the ancestral temple of Lord of Guizhou Muying in the early Ming dynasty, and in recent years it has rebuilt into cold drinks and tea house. South of the Great Buddha’s Hall is “Yingbi Shed (reflecting green)” which is a pavilion in the south of storied building and stretched into the pond. Square pond is about two mu (a unit of area =0.0667 hectares), divided into two pools with a rockery ornament, and zigzag veranda, mountain, water, building, corridor is surrounded the pond which makes it beautiful.

Wanqing Building: “Wanqing Building” in the east side of the Great Buddha’s Hall, its wall was written “世济其美 (Refers to the offspring inherit the virtue of former generation)” by Qing emperor Kangxi. In here you might feel like place oneself in the mirage. Taihua Temple has many varieties of flowers, the flourishing flowers is blooming like a piece of brocade. The red fire of camellia, graceful white magnolia, magnolia liliiflora, magnolia diva stapf; the plum blossom is full of branches in the New Year, and is full of courtyard. Breeze blowing, the flowers are fragrant and refreshing, just like place oneself fairyland.

Huating Temple: Huating Temple is located at Xishan Mountain Forest Park in Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province. Different from other temples, it faces east not south. The temple was frist built in 1063, during Song Dynasty, covering an area of 12,000 square meters in rectangle. The temple is axisymmetric and closed courtyard type. Huating Temple is the largest temple in Yunnan province. It was released as one of the kunming municipal cultural relics protection units.

Introduction

Tanhua Temple, also called Taohu Nunnery, is located at the foot of Jinma Mountain in the eastern suburb of Kunming City. With an area of 8 hectares, it originally was a thatched shack of Shi Shiqiao, a scholar of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). During the reign of Emperor Chongzhen(1628-1644), his grandson, Shi Tai, donated the estate for the shack whereon Tanhua Temple was built. And it rebuilt after the earthquake during the reign of Emperor Daoguang. There was an epiphyllum tree in the backyard, which came from India according to legend, which is called “tanhua” in Chinese and honored as “Buddha’s Flower”, hence the name “Tanhua Temple”.

Attractions in Tanhua Temple

Tanhua Temple is known for its luxuriant trees and showy flowers. At the beginning of the republic of China, the abbot Yingkong was good at gardening and famous in Yunnan. He made the trees and flowers in Tanhua Temple green and bloom in every four season. The plants such as peony, cymbidium, orchid, Myanmar osmanthus and Malus halliana were very famous at that time. Now, it still attracts a lot of tourists both at home and abroad every year.

Epiphyllum Tree

In the backyard there was an epiphyllum tree, which is called tanhua in Chinese, hence the name. The temple went through many renovations during the Qing Dynasty. It is well-known for its flowers and plants. It has been a scenic spot for more than three hundred years, and an epitome of Kunming, the Flower City of the Southern Frontier. The epiphyllum tree was planted in the side court of the depository of Buddhist Scriptures. There is a stone tablet on which four characters are carved “The Epiphyllum Brings Luck”. After the erection of the temple, the original epiphyllum withered and died. The epiphyllum now standing taller than the eaves of the templeeavefrom the root of the original one at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, and is about three hundred years old. It bursts into flowers in mid-summer. The big loquat tree in the backyard is said to have been planted in the early Ming Dynasty. In the South Garden there are flowers and rockeries with winding paths among the flowers and the zigzagging corridor surround the Lotus Pond, where you can watch fish. The East Garden is shaded by tall cedars and cypresses and include seven smaller gardens and a Children’s Playground.

Peony Flower

Whether the Spring Festival comes early or late, the peonies in Tanhua Temple can bloom perfectly during the holiday while the natural flowering period is usually in March and April. Thanks to the specific cultivation techniques which makes the natural growth law of peony broken. It is easier said than done. In the greenhouse of over 6,000 square meters in the park, different batches peonies are placed in line. The peony flower seedlings were like firewood sticks 2 months ago, however, they became luxuriant after more than 50 days. Besides complicated processes, the degree, the light, and the watering are significant factors influencing the time and quality of flowering as well.

Gardens and Pavillions

Tanhua Temple is divided into three parts, including the front garden, middle garden and back garden. The front garden is mainly base on the Sanjin Courts. There are pavilions, artificial hill, trees and flowers in it. The flowers and rockeries with winding paths among the flowers and the zigzagging corridor surround the Lotus Pond, where you can watch fish. Middle garden is bigger than the front garden. It is shaded by tall cedars and cypresses and includes seven smaller gardens and a Children’s Playground. In the back garden, there is a Ruiying Tower with a high of 48 meters, which offer for visitors to look far into the distance to enjoy the beautiful sight of whole garden.

Nearby Atrraction

Golden Temple

Golden Temple is the biggest and heaviest as well as the best preserved copper temple in China. It is a key national cultural and historical relics. The whole temple reflects the excellent metallurgical and casting technology more than 300 years ago in Yunnan.

Kunming City Museum

The Kunming City Museum is a historical museum and one of the popular tourist attractions in Kunming City, which is encompassed by the Yunnan Province in China. The museum is quite comprehensive for a local museum; all in all, it occupies an area of 5,000 square meters.

Kunming Zoo

Kunming Zoo, also called Yuantong Mountain Zoo, located in the Yuantong Mountain, northern section of Qingnian Road, northeast of Kunming city. Founded in 1953, with about 200 kinds of Yunnan specialty animals and rare animals in the world, Kunming zoo is one of the national top ten zoos and seven major zoos in China. As one of the eight scenes of Kunming, Yuantong Mountain is a willow leaf that is long and narrow. It covers a total area of 26 hectares and presents the most abundant and the most visited park in Kunming. The annual visitor even has reached 3 million people. The most attractive things are flower boom, animal and temple. Yuantong flower boom is regard as the most especial activity and is listed as one of the famous spots to appreciate sakura in China.

How to Get there？

By Bus

You can take bus No.132、z108、z99 to Taihua Temple Station.

By Taxi

It takes you about 20 minutes to Tanhua Temple from downtown of Kunming.

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