Golden Temple

Introducing Golden Temple
The Golden Temple is a famous Taoism temple in Yunnan Province. Located on the charming Mingfeng Hill (means Singing Phoenix Hill in English), about 15 kilometers from the east Kunming urban area, the Golden Temple is also known as Taihe Palace (Hall of Supreme Harmony) or Tongwa Temple (Bronze Tile Temple). It is the largest copper architecture in China.

Golden Temple Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Jin Dian 金殿
• Best Time to Visit: November to March of next year
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Taoism, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 07:30-18:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY 30
• Address: Chuanjin Road, Panlong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province

What to expect at Golden Temple

Golden Temple was firstly built in 1602 during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), imitating the design of the Taihe Palace in Wudang Mountain of Hubei Province. The temple hall is 6.7 meter in height, and weighs 250 tons. All of the beam columns, doors, windows, roof tiles, statues, wall decorations, the banner near the gate and couplets, are made of bronze. The burnished bronze gleams like gold under the shining sun, hence the temple got its name.

Like most of the Taoist temples, visitors must climb hundreds of winding stone steps on the mountainside and get through three “Heavenly Gates,” which are highly decorated with well-painted archivolts and carded beams and rafters before approaching the temple. The stone steps are surrounded by beautiful scenery, and while climbing the stone steps, you could feel a sense of inner peace as they integrate themselves into the beauty of Mingfeng Hill.

At the end of the stone path there situated a miniature city wall built along with Lingxing Gate (the gate leading to the temple) and battlements. Inside Taihe Palace, numerous historical objects are on display. Among these objects is a double-edged sword with the Big Dipper weighs 20 kilograms engraved on it. It is said that this is the magic sword of Zhen Wu, a Taoist deity who guards Mingfeng Hill. Another broadsword with a wooden handle is said to be the saber of Wu Sangui (a seignior of Qing Dynasty), and weighs 12 kilograms (about 24.5 pounds). Behind the temple, a camellia tree signaling the approach of spring every February with its hundreds of exquisite blossoms is planted. Visitors could also find a lager striemia indica tree, these trees, over 600 years old, add more energy to the quiet temple.

How to get to Golden Temple
• Take bus No. Z90 and get off at Jindian Gongyuan Station.
• Take bus 10, 50, 69, 71, 147, 235 or Z85 and get off at Jindian Chechang Station.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Kunming to Golden Temple.

Additional travel advice on Golden Temple
• Camellia Flower Fair is held in the park between January and March every year.
• Please walk along the main road on the mountain avoiding spending much time finding the way back.