The Western Hills
Also known as the “Mounts of the Sleeping Beauty“, the Western Hills of Kunming (Xishan) tower above the city and offer a spectacular view of Dian Lake, a true “inland sea”, as well as over Kunming. This mountain range, dotted with Buddhist temples and Taoist shrines, attracts both visitors and locals for its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Access to the Western Hills
There are several ways to reach this complex of temples and grottoes:
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By boat, from Daguan Park, with a direct ascent to the summit at the Dragon Gate.
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By cable car departing from Haigeng Park, near the Yunnan Minorities Museum, soaring above Dianchi Lake.
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On foot, or via shuttle buses, along a route crossing a forest of pines and bamboos.
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Main temples to discover
The visit begins at the Majestic Pavilion Temple (Huating Si), founded in 1320 and restored several times since. Its main hall houses a Buddhist trinity and 500 Arhats (a masterpiece of Buddhist art).
The Supreme Splendor Temple (Taihua Si) is located 3 km further by continuing along the road or taking a paved trail to the right. This is the oldest temple in the Western Hills, founded in 1306. Inside, flowering gardens with covered walkways alongside a pond recall the gardens of Suzhou.
At the end of the first trail, you arrive at a square which features, among other things, the tomb of Nie Er, the musician who composed the anthem of the People’s Republic of China. He died young by drowning (1912–1936). It costs 1 yuan to access the tomb.
From this square, you can choose to continue on foot, take a small tourist tram (5 yuan), or ride the chairlift to reach the Temple of the Three Purities (Sanqing Ge).
The Temple of the Three Purities is the collective name for a group of 11 temples and shrines founded during the Yuan dynasty, sculpted along the cliffside. The visit ends at the Dragon Gate, where you find the Kuixing altar, dedicated to the god of literature, whose broken brush symbolizes the disappointment of the gate’s sculptor who committed suicide after failing to complete his work.
Practical tips
For the visit of Western Hills, prepare half a day to benefit thoroughly from it. The visit of the Western Hills can be combined with the Stone Forest, or with various other temples of Kunming like: Yuantong temple, Golden temple or Bamboo temple.
Entrance fee of THE WESTERN HILLS (Dragon Gate / Longmen) : 40 yuan/person
Last-minute notice: Major construction work is taking place from July 2025 to June 2027 on the West Mountain chairlift. To reach the Dragon Gate (Longmen), the only option is to go up and down on foot via a very narrow path, which often leads to serious congestion. It is therefore preferable, whenever possible, to avoid visiting the West Mountains during this period, especially at peak times (weekends, public holidays, summer).
