Kunming
Black Dragon Pool is situated at the foot of Longquan
Hill in the northern outskirts of Kunming, 17 km from the
downtown area. Surrounded by towering old trees and bamboo
groves, the pool has never dried out even in the years of
drought. Legend goes that there used to be ten violently
destructive dragons doing wrong in the world and in about
750 A.D., Lu Dongbin, a famous Taoist priest in the Tang
dynasty, suppressed nine of these dragons and left the
tenth, a black dragon, remaining in the pool. Hence the name
Black Dragon Pool. Today a number of beautiful and colourful
temples dot the area...well worth a few photos.
Dianchi Lake also known as Kunming Lake, lies at the foot of Xishan Hills. It was formed by a fault on the central Yunnan Plateau and has more than 20 streams running through the picturesque area and is well worth a visit.
Daguan Park, located 7 km west of Kunming, is known for its longest antithetical couplet in China. First built in 1682 by a monk, the park once served as a Guanyin (Avalokistesvara's) Temple. In 1690, large-scale construction was carried out with flowers, trees, ponds, causeways, pavilions and halls added to it. The park provides a spectacular view across sparkling Dianchi Lake to the distant Western Hills. Among the ancient architectures in this park, the three-storey Daguan Pavilion, which is decorated with flying eaves and splendid paintings, is the highlight of Daguan Park.
Golden Temple located 7 km from the city proper on Mingfeng Hill in the northern suburbs of Kunming. The original Golden Temple was built in 1602 during the Ming Dynasty by Chen Yongbin, the governor of Yunnan at the time and it is one of the many ancient treasures in the area.
Qiongzhu Temple (Bamboo Temple) On the wooded slopes of Yu'an Hill, about 12 km northwest of Kunming, stands Bamboo Temple, which is the first temple built after Zen Buddhist had been introduced to Yunnan early in 1279. In the temple there are many valuable inscriptions and couplets on tablets and pillars, providing information of the history, geography and culture in the 13th and 14th centuries and well worth a visit.
Stone Forest is one of China's most famous scenic spots, the Stone Forest is located in the Lu'nan Autonomous County of Yi Nationality, 126 km southeast of Kunming.
Western Mountains Forest Reserve The forest reserve on the west bank of the Dianchi Lake consists of the Huating, Taihua and Luohan mountains, which extend for more than 40 km at an altitude of 2,500 m above sea level. This is a colossal natural forest reserve, its lofty chain of mountains crisscrossed by gurgling brooks and streams that team with fauna and flora of every imaginable variety. A place for whispering and enjoying quietly (the quieter you are, the more you'll see).
Yuantong (Full and Smooth) Temple: located in the northern part of the city, Yuantong Temple was built during the Tang Dynasty(618-907). The Temple epitomizes the best architectural style of its time and has been completely repaired in recent years. Don't forget your camera.
Yunnan Ethnic Villages situated six km south of Kunming, it is a theme park bordered on the south by the Dianchi Lake and on the west by the famous Western Mountains Scenic Area and is a place the whole family will enjoy.
