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Ask a QuestionFamous Landmarks in Kunming are considered the Name Card of Kunming, like the Stone Forest, Western Hill and Dragon Gate, Qiongzhu Temple, etc. ancient and new. They are somehow, represent a certain character or role Kunming played to the world. Come with Top China Travel, to discover and appreciate our latest list of Kunming’s famous landmarks.
1. Golden Horse and Jade Rooster Archways 金马碧鸡坊
The Golden Horse and Jade Rooster Archways are iconic historical buildings in Kunming, located in the downtown area. They were first built in the Ming Dynasty, consisting of two separate archways: the Golden Horse Archway and the Jade Rooster Archway. The archways are exquisitely carved, with traditional Chinese architectural styles. There is a wonderful astronomical phenomenon here: every 60 years, the sun, moon and stars will align, making the shadows of the two archways overlap. They are symbols of good luck and prosperity in the hearts of Kunming people.
2. East and West Pagodas 东西寺塔
The East and West Pagodas are two ancient Buddhist pagodas in Kunming, standing respectively in the eastern and western parts of the old city. Built in the Tang Dynasty, they have a history of over a thousand years. The West Pagoda is called Huiguang Pagoda, and the East Pagoda is called Zhenning Pagoda. Both pagodas are square-shaped and made of brick and stone, with simple and elegant styles. They have withstood numerous natural disasters and wars, and are important witnesses to the long history of Kunming.
3. Site of Yunnan Military Academy 云南陆军讲武堂旧址
The Site of Yunnan Military Academy is located in Wuhua District, Kunming. Founded in 1909, it was one of the most influential military academies in modern Chinese history. Many outstanding military talents and patriotic figures studied here, making important contributions to China's revolutionary cause. The buildings in the site are well-preserved, including the lecture halls, dormitories and training grounds, which show the style of the military academy in those years. Now it has become a patriotic education base.
4. Zhenqing Temple 真庆观
Zhenqing Temple is a famous Taoist temple in Kunming, built in the Yuan Dynasty. The temple covers a large area, with many ancient buildings such as the Main Hall, Sanqing Hall and Yuhuang Pavilion. The architectural style combines Taoist characteristics and Yunnan's local ethnic styles. The temple is surrounded by lush trees, creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. It is an important place for Taoist activities and cultural heritage.
5. Daguan Pavilion 大观楼
Daguan Pavilion is located on the bank of Dianchi Lake in the western suburbs of Kunming, built in the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a famous ancient pavilion in Yunnan, with a history of over 300 years. The pavilion is a three-story building with a grand and spectacular appearance. The most famous thing about Daguan Pavilion is the long couplet written by Sun Ranweng, which has 180 words and describes the beautiful scenery of Dianchi Lake and the history of Yunnan. Standing on the pavilion, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Dianchi Lake and Western Hill.
6. Golden Palace 金殿
The Golden Palace, also known as Taihe Palace, is located on Mingfeng Mountain in the northeastern suburbs of Kunming. It was first built in the Ming Dynasty. The main hall of the Golden Palace is made of pure copper, with a golden appearance, hence the name. The hall is exquisitely crafted, with complex carvings on the beams and columns. The Golden Palace is the largest and best-preserved copper hall in China. The surrounding area of the Golden Palace is a beautiful scenic spot, with lush forests and clear springs.
7. Confucian Temple 文庙
Kunming Confucian Temple was first built in the Yuan Dynasty, and is an important place for honoring Confucius and promoting Confucian culture. The temple has a complete architectural complex, including the Dacheng Hall, Minglun Hall and Kuiwen Pavilion. The buildings are solemn and magnificent, with traditional Chinese architectural styles. There are many ancient inscriptions and stone tablets in the temple, which are valuable cultural relics. Now it has become a cultural relic protection unit and a place for people to understand Confucian culture.、
8. Qiongzhu Temple
As a famous Buddhist temple in Yunnan, Qingzhu Temple (Bamboo Temple) is situated on Mt. Yu'an to the northwest of Kunming. The name of the temple (Qiongzhu) refers to a type of bamboo (genus Qiongzhuea).
The Bamboo Temple was established during in the Yuan Dynasty as the first temple dedicated to Zen Buddism in Yunnan. It has since been burned down and reconstructed several times. The present structure mostly dates from the late Qing Dynasty.
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.
1. Dianchi Lake 滇池
Dianchi Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province, located in the southern suburbs of Kunming. It is like a bright pearl inlaid on the Yunnan Plateau, with a water area of about 330 square kilometers. The lake water is clear, and the surrounding mountains are undulating. There are many scenic spots around Dianchi Lake, such as Daguan Pavilion, Haigeng Park and Xinglong Dam. Every winter, a large number of red-headed gulls come to Dianchi Lake to overwinter, attracting many tourists to watch and feed them.
2. Western Hill and Dragon Gate 西山
The Western Hill, located at the west bank of the Dianchi Lake of Kunming, is set in mountains well covered by evergreen woods and filled with sweet songs by lovely birds.
The Western Hill, 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". Its luxuriant trees and bamboos set off splendid Huating Temple, Taihua Temple, Sanqing Monastery and the Dragon Gate.
As a Chinese idiom says, 'Once you ascend Longmen (Dragon Gate), you would receive a sudden boost in your prestige'. Dragon Gate is a certain gorge on a river flanked by precipices and with a natural dam. If carps swimming upstream could jump over the dam, they would become dragons. The houses of powerful dignitaries were often compared to dragon gates; if a man could manage to be a guest in these houses, his future would be ensured.
3. Green Lake Park 翠湖
Green Lake Park is located in the center of Kunming, a famous urban park. The park is centered on a lake, with lush green plants around it. In spring, the park is full of peach blossoms and cherry blossoms; in summer, the lotus flowers in the lake are in full bloom. There are many pavilions, bridges and corridors in the park, which are elegant and quiet. Every winter, a large number of red-headed gulls also gather here, making the park a popular place for citizens and tourists to relax and play.
4. Stone Forest 石林
Stone Forest is about 120km from Kunming City and requires only a three-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers and included both large and small forest as well as many other scenic spots. It has been know since the Ming Dynasty as the First Wonder of the World. Approximately 270 million years ago - during the carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era - the region was a vast expanse of sea. Over years of movements, the lithosphere gradually caused a retreat of the waters and the rise of the limestone landscapes. Due to constant erosions by the elements, the area finally developed into the present-day Stone Forest.
The magnificent, strange and steep landscape of the Stone Forest creates countless labyrinthine vistas, 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. Geologists say that the Stone Forest is a typical example of karsts topography.
1. Kunming Twin Towers 昆明双塔
Kunming Twin Towers are located in the south of Kunming City, with a height of 307 meters. They are the iconic modern buildings in Kunming. The two towers are symmetrically arranged, with a modern and simple architectural style. The towers integrate office, hotel, shopping and other functions. At night, the lights of the Twin Towers are bright, forming a beautiful scenery in the urban skyline.
2. Henglong Plaza 恒隆广场
Henglong Plaza is a large comprehensive building located in the downtown area of Kunming. It includes a shopping mall, a five-star hotel and office buildings. The building has a fashionable and grand appearance, and the internal facilities are complete. It is a popular shopping, dining and entertainment center in Kunming, attracting a large number of citizens and tourists every day.
3. South Asia Gate 南亚之门
South Asia Gate is located in the South Asia International Business District of Kunming. It is a high-rise building with a unique architectural shape. The building combines commercial, office and residential functions, and is an important part of Kunming's modern urban construction. It reflects the rapid development of Kunming's economy and urban construction.
4. Aocheng Building 傲城大厦
Aocheng Building is a comprehensive building located in the central business district of Kunming. It has a modern architectural style, with complete supporting facilities. The building includes shopping malls, office buildings and apartments, providing a variety of services for people's work and life. It is an important landmark in the downtown area of Kunming.
5. Yunnan Nationalities Museum
Yunnan Nationalities Museum is located on the east bank of Dianchi Lake, the largest nationalities museum in China. The building has a unique style, integrating the architectural characteristics of various ethnic groups in Yunnan. The museum collects and displays a large number of cultural relics, documents and artworks of Yunnan's ethnic groups, showing the rich and diverse ethnic culture of Yunnan. It is an important place to understand Yunnan's ethnic customs.
6. Kunming Changshui International Airport
Kunming Changshui International Airport is the main airport in Kunming, one of the important air hubs in southwest China. The airport terminal has a modern design, with a large area and complete facilities. It has flights to many domestic and foreign cities, facilitating people's travel and promoting the economic and cultural exchanges between Kunming and other regions. The airport's architectural style combines Yunnan's local characteristics and international elements, becoming a modern landmark of Kunming.
More famous attractions in Kunming please click Kunming Attractions
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