A Visit to Kunming's East and West Pagodas: Traveling Through a Millennium to Encounter Ancient Charm and Romance

If you come to Kunming, be sure not to miss the historically rich East and West Pagodas. They are like two dazzling pearls embedded in the city's map, witnessing the profound changes of this city over time.

Historical Background 🎖️

The East and West Pagodas were originally built during the Tang Dynasty in the Nanzhao period and are among the earliest ancient pagodas in Yunnan. The East Pagoda was originally located within Changle Temple, standing 40.57 meters tall. It is also called the Golden Rooster Pagoda because of the four gilded bronze birds on its top. The West Pagoda was originally built inside Huiguang Temple, standing 35.54 meters tall, with a spiral wooden staircase inside that leads to the top. These pagodas are not only one of Kunming’s "Old Eight Scenic Spots" but also the oldest architectural "living fossils" in the city.

Architectural Features 🏯

The East Pagoda is a square-shaped, hollow brick pagoda with 13 tiers, each side of every level featuring arched openings with stone-carved Buddha statues inside. The West Pagoda is also a square-shaped hollow brick pagoda with 13 tiers, built on a three-level base. From the second level upwards, each tier has Buddha niches or arched openings, with red sandstone seated Bodhisattva statues inside the niches. Both pagodas are "slightly leaning towers," tilting gently southwest, humorously nicknamed by netizens as the "Yunnan branch of the Leaning Tower of Pisa," which is quite amusing.

Surrounding Scenery and Food 🍜

The area around the East and West Pagodas is filled with streets reflecting traditional Kunming style, paved with flagstones and flanked by stone-carved street lamps modeled after those from the Qing Daoguang era. On the eastern street, there are bronze sculptures like "Horse Driver" and "Night Watchman," vividly depicting scenes from old Kunming life. Additionally, the nearby pedestrian streets hide many time-honored local snacks, such as sweet and soft rice cakes and lotus root starch desserts, which you definitely should not miss.

Best Time to Visit 🌆

It is recommended to visit in the early evening when the soft light slants and the pagoda lights begin to glow. The ancient pagodas become even more mysterious and charming under the illumination, their outlines appearing especially solemn against the night sky. You can find a quiet corner to quietly enjoy the night view of these millennia-old pagodas and feel the blend of history and modernity.

After your visit, you can stay overnight at the Kunming Cuihu Liruid Hotel. The hotel is located at 53 Yuantong Street, in a very convenient location—just a 5-minute walk to Cuihu Park if you turn right out the door, and a 10-minute walk to Yunnan University if you turn left. The hotel rooms are artistically designed with a black and red European style and panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offering direct views of the shimmering Cuihu Lake or the city’s Ferris wheel. The 19th-floor panoramic restaurant and infinity pool are highlights, where you can enjoy Yunnan cuisine while admiring Kunming’s beautiful scenery, adding a touch of romance and comfort to your Kunming trip.

Post by Akira - Sushi | Oct 17, 2025