Golden Temple

The architecture in the temple
The central part of the Golden Temple
 Pictures
Golden Temple, also known as Tongwa Temple, is the largest copper temple in China. As part of Taosit Taihe Palace (Hall of Supreme Harmony), it's located on top of Mingfeng Hill (Singing Phoenix Hill).
 

History of Golden Temple

The history of the Golden Temple starts during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and the reign of the Emperor Wanli in 1602. At that time the governor of Yunnan Province was a devout Taoist who built this temple to honor the Taoist hero-god Zishi. According to legend, Zishi had a golden palace in the northernmost extremity of the universe. But it didn't stay in its original place for very long. Just 35 years later, in 1637, the entire original temple was moved to Jizu (Chicken Foot) Mountain in western Yunnan. Three decades later in 1671 during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Wu Sangui, the governor of Yunnan Province, built an exact duplicate of the original one. This temple was undisturbed for almost two hundred years until the Muslim rebellion of 1857, during which it suffered some damages. Emperor Guangxu ordered its complete repair and in 1890, using 250 tons (246 gross ton) of solid bronze, the entire temple was again rebuilt. Except for the staircases and balustrades, which are made of marble, the walls, columns, rafters, roof tiles, altars, Buddha statues, wall decorations and the banner near the gate tower are all made of copper. The burnished copper gleamed like gold and that is why people named it the Golden Temple. Since its last renovation, this beloved copper temple on the top of Mingfeng Hill has been well cared and has become the most famous Taoist shrine in Yunnan Province.
The first Heavenly Gate
The first heavenly gate to the temple
Fu Xing Gate
Lingxing Gate

Heavenly Gates

As with most Taoist temples, you approach it by climbing up a mountainside on winding stone steps and pass through a series of "Heavenly Gates". The three Heavenly Gates of the Golden Temple are highly decorated with painted archivolts and carved beams and rafters.

The beautiful walk-up stairs to the temple helps you to leave your mundane cares behind you. You may well find that the closer you get to it, the more peaceful and lighthearted you feel as the extreme beauty of Mingfeng can create a sense of inner harmony to its visitors.
 

Lingxing Gate

At the end of the path, there is a miniature, medieval city wall standing on a platform. There you will also find the Lingxing Gate through which you could enter the temple. Among the interesting artifacts and artistry of the Golden Temple is a double-edged sword with the Big Dipper engraved on it. Legend has it that this sword, which weighs more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds), is the magic sword of Zhen Wu, a Taoist deity, who guards Mingfeng Hill. Near the temple is a 600-year-old camellia tree that signals the approach of spring every February by giving hundreds of exquisite blossoms.
 
The Buddha Statues
Supreme Taoist deity, Emperor Zhenwu

Bell Tower

Behind the Golden Temple, there is a three-story-high Bell Tower that was built in 1984 to house a large, 580-year-old copper bell which is three point five meters (16.4 feet) high and weighs an incredible 14 tons (13.7 gross tons).
 

Natural Scenery

The hillside around the Golden Temple abounds with pine trees, evergreens, hardy cypresses, and a multitude of plants. As far back as the Qing Dynasty, the natural beauty of Mingfeng Hill has caused it to be acclaimed as the Fairyland of Mingfeng. It is only 11 kilometers (7 miles) from Kunming and is easily accessible by public transportations.
 

How to get to Golden Temple

Take bus 10, 57, 71, 146, 147, 159, Z146 or Z150 to Jindian Chechang.
Kunming Bus Search
 
Entrance Fee CNY 25;
Half price for children between 1.2 and 1.4 meters (3.9 - 4.6 feet);
Free entry for children below 1.2 meters.
Opening Hours 7:30 - 18:00
Recommended Time for a Visit 2 hours
- Last updated on May. 14, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Golden Temple
Asked by Sulak Sriphirom from THAILAND | May. 25, 2018 22:37Reply
What is the distance between Golden temple and western hill?
Answers (1)
Answered by Muhammad from CANADA | May. 28, 2018 03:52
10Reply


The distance between these two places is around 35km.
Asked by Lingping from THAILAND | May. 02, 2016 00:58Reply
How do I get to Yuantong Temple from Kunming train station ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Helen from USA | May. 02, 2016 01:35
00Reply


From the railway station, you can take the bus No. 83 to Yuantongshan Station. Get off the bus and walk for another 500 yards, you will reach the temple.
Asked by Lau from CANADA | Jun. 08, 2015 13:01Reply
How do I get to Yuantong temple from Holiday Inn Kunming City Centre?
The hotel is at 29 East Dong Feng road, Panlong district.
How do I get to Yunan Nationalities Village, West Hill Xishan,Yunan Provincial Museum & close by Wal-mart from above hotel?
Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Nick from NZ | Jun. 08, 2015 21:07
22Reply


To Yuantong Temple, it is 3-4km away. You can take a taxi to reach at a cost of CNY10. By bus, walk to Provincial Stadium bus stop to take bus no. 78 and get off at Qingnian Road. Walk north and turn west onto Yuantong Street to find the temple.

To the Nationalities Village, walk to Baita Lukou bus stop to take bus no. A1 to reach there directly.

To West Hill, walk to Provincial Stadium bus stop to take bus no. 78 to Wuli Duocun. Then transfer to bus no. 51 to Gaoyao Station. After getting off, walk to the West Hill.

To the Provincial Museum, still take bus no. 78 and you can get off at Guandu Square. Transfer to bus no. A12 to Xinbao Xianghe Bridge. After getting there, you can easily find the museum.

The closest Walmart is only around 1.4km away from the hotel. You can walk north along Dongfeng Road for 3-5min and then turn east at the first large crossing onto East Dongfeng Road. After around 5min, you can find the Walmart on the right side.
Asked by suzie from MALAYSIA | Jan. 23, 2015 06:50Reply
Is golden temple & qiongzhu temple near to each other?
pls reply asap..thks...
Answers (1)
Answered by Areis from POLAND | Jan. 23, 2015 21:28
14Reply


The distance between these two places is about 5.8 miles. The cab fare is CNY 20 to 25.
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