Tonghai & Xiushan 通海秀山

Photos of Tonghai old town and Xiushan mountain

Introduction to Tonghai and Xiushan

A pleasant little stopover on the road between Jianshui and Kunming, the small old town of Tonghai has undeniable charm. There are many tailors and a few inns.

Higher up, at the foot of Xiushan Mountain, is the Buddhist monastery, followed by numerous temples, oratories and monasteries set in the mountain. It takes a good hour to reach the top of the hill if you are walking, but it is also possible to get to the top by vehicle and then descend on foot. Don’t miss the lovely views over the valley and Lake Qilu.

There are five Buddhist monasteries on Xiushan hill, which is around 200m high. The oldest was built during the Tang dynasty, and ancient trees can still be seen in the temples. Over the centuries, it has been a renowned place for poets and painters, and the magic of the place bears witness to this.

Tonghai is a very pleasant stop-off point off the road between Kunming and Jianshui/Yuanyang. The walk is pleasant and easy. Although it is on the side of a hill, the path is well laid out, with stones and carved steps. Good restaurants are available in the old town of Tonghai.