West Hill&Dragon Gate

Chinese name: 西山龙门 (Xi Shan Long Men)  
Location: west suburb of Kunming, 15km to the city center, Yunnan Province.
Ticket: Entrance ticket CNY30.00, sightseeing bus CNY25.00
Estimated tour time: 3-4 hours
Recommended time to visit: All year round.
Nearby attractions: Dianchi Lake, Kunming Flower & Bird Market, Yunnan Minority Village, Yuantong Temple, Daguan Pavilion, etc.

The Western Hill, located at the west bank of the Dianchi Lake of Kunming, is set in mountains well covered by evergreen woods.They are formed by the Huating, Taihua and Luohan mountain ranges rising above the eastern and northern banks of Dianchi Lake.The Western Hill Forest Park, over 2,500 metres above sea level, also called the Green Peacock Mountain, refers to a range of five mountains stretching over 40 kilometers. Seen from afar, its undulating skyline resembles a graceful young lady sleeping on her back, hence the name of the "sleeping beauty".

The ranges have spectacular steep cliffs and stretch from the wooded Huating Temple to the Longmen Mountains (Dragon's Gate Mountains). Clouds and mist often hide the mountain sides covered with giant firs and pines where some ancient temples are to be found. Its luxuriant trees and bamboos set off splendid Huating Temple, Taihua Temple, Sanqing Monastery and the Dragon Gate.

The Huating Temple, the Taihua Temple, Sanqingge and Longmen were all built around the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the Taihua Mountains, old roads lead to places surrounded by trees.

The Huating Temple is famous for its colorful statues that combine styles of Buddhism and Taoism. The solemnity of Buddhism and the freedom of Taoism blend into one.

The Taihua Temple, often shrouded in mist, is 1.5 km from the Huating Temple on the main peak of the Taihua Mountains. This tranquil and isolated temple is reputed as a place of "heavenly peace". The main halls are built along the rising slopes. Covered corridors connect each pavilion and mansion. With its ancient trees, perfumed orchids, camellias, osmanthus and plum trees, the Taihua Temple is noted for its tranquility and elegance.

Dragon Gate is in the south of Sanqing pavilion. Dragon Gate is in the top of Western Hill, cliff of Luohan Peak, from Dragon Gate can go down along the plank road to the top of the mountain, but the narrow plank road only let two people pass together.

The Dragon Gate Grotto Complex includes Lanhaichu, the Ciyun Cave, the Yunhua Cave and the Datian Pavilion. The marvelous Dragon Gate Grotto Complex was accomplished through 72 years of hard work (1781–1853). The Dragon Gate consists of 3 parts: a stone archway, a platform, a stone room and a number of sculptures, all carved out of the same rock. It is both the summit of the grotto and the highlight of the grotto as well. The characters "Longmen-Dragon Gate, (the sign of the Dragon Gate)" are inscribed in red and gold upon the arch. On the left, a platform surrounded by a stone railing is the ideal place to welcome the wind and to view the bold cliff.

On the West Mountain, you can overlook the crossed green fields and the vast green Dian Chi Lake, the high and low peaks ranged at random at distance and emerald forests and elegant meditation rooms closely. When climbing the Longmen and overlooking the endless Dian Chi Lake, you will see the green wave ripples and the pretty scenes of the lake. If enjoying the Dian Chi Lake on the close Grand View Pavilion, you will see that the waving water is running to your eyes and the sails are strolling in the light mist on the lake.