Topic:Places of interest
Examples of place of interest in Kunming: Golden Temple Park (Jindian Gongyuan), Grand View Park (Daguan Gongyuan), Green Lake Park (Cuihu Gongyuan) ,Jiuxiang and the stone forest
The most interesting attractions in the Golden Temple Park (Jindian Gongyuan) are the Taihe Palace (Taihegong) and the Golden Temple (Jindian).
Taihe Temple is the most important and active Taoist temple in Yunnan. Atop the front gate, is a large horizontal board inscribed with the Chinese saying "Ying Wu Chun Shen", meaning "Spring abounds on Yingwu Mountain" (the site of the park).
The Ming Dynasty Golden Temple is the most unique and well known structure in the park. It, like Taihe Temple, is a Taoist temple. However, the special thing about Jindian is the architecture. The walls, sixteen pillars, rafters, roof tiles, altar, statues, altar-hanging, the horizontal inscribed board, the table and even the banner on the right in front of the temple are all made from bronze. The whole temple weighs more than 280 tons, making it not only one of the four largest bronze temples in China, but also the heaviest and best preserved.
Jiuxiang is a major Kunming tourist attraction famous for its limestone caves. In fact, this wonderful spot even has an underground waterfall and a breathtaking gorge.
"The Field of the Gods" is one of the cave's main attractions. Water flows down from a hole in the cave here and is split into two at the spot where it falls.
Local people liken the two spurts of water to a husband and wife and have crafted a story to describe the sight. Outside the cave is a 700 meter long gorge, covered on both sides by thick vegetation and trees. We recommend spending at least three hours to enjoy this sight to the full.
THE STONE FOREST
Examples of place of interest in Kunming: Golden Temple Park (Jindian Gongyuan), Grand View Park (Daguan Gongyuan), Green Lake Park (Cuihu Gongyuan) ,Jiuxiang and the stone forest
Golden Temple Park (Jindian Gongyuan)
The most interesting attractions in the Golden Temple Park (Jindian Gongyuan) are the Taihe Palace (Taihegong) and the Golden Temple (Jindian).Taihe Temple is the most important and active Taoist temple in Yunnan. Atop the front gate, is a large horizontal board inscribed with the Chinese saying "Ying Wu Chun Shen", meaning "Spring abounds on Yingwu Mountain" (the site of the park).
The Ming Dynasty Golden Temple is the most unique and well known structure in the park. It, like Taihe Temple, is a Taoist temple. However, the special thing about Jindian is the architecture. The walls, sixteen pillars, rafters, roof tiles, altar, statues, altar-hanging, the horizontal inscribed board, the table and even the banner on the right in front of the temple are all made from bronze. The whole temple weighs more than 280 tons, making it not only one of the four largest bronze temples in China, but also the heaviest and best preserved.
Grand View Park (Daguan Gongyuan) sits on the northern shores of the Dian Lake. Completed in 1690 during the Qing Dynasty, the park consists of hills, ponds, pavilions and rockeries in a style similar to that of the gardens of the Yangtze River Delta.
The Grand View Tower (Daguanlou) itself offers great views of Dian Lake. It is also inscribed with an 180 character poem describing the beauty and history of the area. This poem is the longest of its kind in Chinese literature. The construction of the Tower is that of a typical well-preserved wooden pagoda.
The Grand View Tower (Daguanlou) itself offers great views of Dian Lake. It is also inscribed with an 180 character poem describing the beauty and history of the area. This poem is the longest of its kind in Chinese literature. The construction of the Tower is that of a typical well-preserved wooden pagoda.
Green Lake Park (Cuihu Gongyi)
Green Lake Park (Cuihu Gongyuan) is one of the most picturesque parks in downtown Kunming. In November and December every winter, huge flocks of red-beaked gulls migrate here from Siberia.
Around the park, there are also many excellent bars and restaurants. Since the park is the only one that stays open until 10PM, it is an ideal place for enjoying some Kunming nightlife. Of course, at any other time, the park is always worth a stroll.
Jiuxiang
Green Lake Park (Cuihu Gongyuan) is one of the most picturesque parks in downtown Kunming. In November and December every winter, huge flocks of red-beaked gulls migrate here from Siberia.Around the park, there are also many excellent bars and restaurants. Since the park is the only one that stays open until 10PM, it is an ideal place for enjoying some Kunming nightlife. Of course, at any other time, the park is always worth a stroll.
Jiuxiang
Jiuxiang is a major Kunming tourist attraction famous for its limestone caves. In fact, this wonderful spot even has an underground waterfall and a breathtaking gorge."The Field of the Gods" is one of the cave's main attractions. Water flows down from a hole in the cave here and is split into two at the spot where it falls.
Local people liken the two spurts of water to a husband and wife and have crafted a story to describe the sight. Outside the cave is a 700 meter long gorge, covered on both sides by thick vegetation and trees. We recommend spending at least three hours to enjoy this sight to the full.
THE STONE FOREST
Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, enjoys great fame among tourists not only because the region features a consistently warm climate, but also thanks to its wonderful vistas and landscapes. Among the most dramatic of these attractions is the Stone Forest (Shilin), known since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) as the 'First Wonder of the World.'
The Stone Forest is in Lunan Yi Nationality Autonomous County, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Kunming and requires only a three-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers (96,000 acres) and includes both large and small stone forests, as well as many other scenic spots. An old local saying says that 'If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.' Truly, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan.
Walking through the Stone Forest, visitors marvel at the natural stone masterpieces and are bewitched by the intricate formations. The magnificent, strange and steep landscape creates countless labyrinthine vistas, including:
Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest and Naigu Stone Forest, all of which feature stones in various formations. Animals, plants, and even human figures can be found here. Some are elegant, some are rugged, and each is lifelike with its own distinguishing characteristics.
Subterranean Stone Forest in Zhiyun Cave, an underground stone forest distributed among several caves and occupying a total area of about three square kilometers (720 acres).
The Stone Forest is in Lunan Yi Nationality Autonomous County, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Kunming and requires only a three-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers (96,000 acres) and includes both large and small stone forests, as well as many other scenic spots. An old local saying says that 'If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.' Truly, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan.
Walking through the Stone Forest, visitors marvel at the natural stone masterpieces and are bewitched by the intricate formations. The magnificent, strange and steep landscape creates countless labyrinthine vistas, including:
Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest and Naigu Stone Forest, all of which feature stones in various formations. Animals, plants, and even human figures can be found here. Some are elegant, some are rugged, and each is lifelike with its own distinguishing characteristics.
Subterranean Stone Forest in Zhiyun Cave, an underground stone forest distributed among several caves and occupying a total area of about three square kilometers (720 acres).
