| Golden Temple, a treasure scenic area that blends historical culture with natural landscapes. Set off with my little cat to explore the Golden Temple
🌈| Entry #11
🔎 Golden Temple Scenic Area
📍 Navigation: Kunming Golden Temple Park (West Gate or East Gate).
🕙 Opening Hours: 07:00 - 18:00.
🎫 Ticket: Free admission during the Dragon Boat Festival when my family visited.
Transportation Guide
🚌 Bus: Take buses 142, 10, or 146 directly to the West Gate of Golden Temple Scenic Area.
🚇 Metro: Transfer to Bus 47 at Kunming Railway Station (Metro Line 1) or take Bus 235 at Chuanxin Gulou Station (Metro Line 2).
🚗 Self-drive: Parking is available but tends to be crowded.
🏕 Itinerary Suggestions
✔️ Cultural & Historical Tour:
West Gate (Main Entrance) → Second Heavenly Gate → Third Heavenly Gate → Taihe Palace Gate → Lingxing Gate → Forbidden City → Bronze Hall → Wu Sangui’s Broadsword & Zhenwu Seven-Star Sword Exhibition → Wu Sangui & Chen Yuanyuan Traditional Painting Exhibition → China Golden Temple Expo Garden → Autumn Garden → Bronze History & Culture Corridor → Bell Tower → Jinbo Cable Car → World Horticultural Expo Garden (or return the same way).
✔️ Relaxing Leisure Tour:
East Gate → Cactus & Succulent Greenhouse → Butterfly Garden (Parrot Feeding) → Cedar Lawn (Camping & Picnicking) → East Gate.
✔️ Light Hiking Route:
West Gate (Main Entrance) → Second Heavenly Gate → Third Heavenly Gate → Taihe Palace Gate → Lingxing Gate → Forbidden City → Bronze Hall → Exhibition Halls → China Golden Temple Expo Garden → Autumn Garden → Bronze History & Culture Corridor → Bell Tower → Camellia Garden → Azalea Garden → Flower Greenhouse Area → Rose Garden → Taihe Ancient Trail → Wooden Boardwalk → West Gate.
✨ Highlights
- **Bronze Hall**: The tallest and best-preserved of China’s four major golden temples, built entirely of brass with mortise-and-tenon joints (no nails) by Wu Sangui in 1671 during the Qing Dynasty.
- **Mingfeng Mountain**: Offers panoramic views of Kunming from the summit.
- **Camellia Garden**: In spring, vibrant camellias bloom with intoxicating fragrances.
💯 Nearby Eats
✅ **Hamazhe Food Street**: Try local specialties like lamb hotpot, pine-needle roasted chicken, and grilled eggs.
✅ **Golden Temple Back Mountain Farmhouses**: Authentic rural cuisine.
‼️ Tips
👍 Wear comfortable hiking shoes—the area has many mountain paths.
👍 High-altitude UV is strong—bring sunscreen, hats, etc.
👍 For the cable car (operating 09:00-17:00), fares are 40 RMB (one-way) or 60 RMB (round-trip).
🏡 Accommodation: **Dream·Rainbow Hotel (Kunming Station, Huancheng South Road Metro Branch)**
✅ Convenient metro access: Take Line 2 to North Bus Station, then a short bus ride to Golden Temple Park.
✅ Ideal for non-driving travelers—located near Kunming Station for easy transfers.
A great budget-friendly choice (100+ RMB) with clean, well-equipped rooms, including family options!
Post by ethanskylight | Jun 3, 2025
