Xishan Longmen: A Stone Carving Miracle Hanging Above Dianchi Lake and the Dream of the Top Scholar

The Beginning of Immortal Way - From Grottoes to Longmen
The story of Xishan Longmen began with a Taoist's long cherished wish for spiritual cultivation. In the early years of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty, Taoist Zhao Lian, in order to find a quiet place to practice, dug the first "cave room" between the rock walls of Luohan Cliff in the Western Mountain, becoming the originator of the Longmen Grottoes project, which has a history of nearly 500 years. However, it was the Qing Dynasty Taoist Wu Laiqing who made Longmen take shape.

The collective dream of "carp leaping over the dragon gate" - a grand wish come true
After Wu Laiqing, the father and son of Kunming gentry Yang Rulan and Yang Jitai took over the baton of excavation. They funded the recruitment of craftsmen and, starting from the 20th year of the Daoguang reign, lasted for thirteen years to continue excavating the more magnificent "Yunhua Cave" and "Datian Pavilion" to the south. The entire project was finally completed in the third year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty, spanning 72 years. Behind this magnificent project, there is a deep sense of Yunnan people's "champion complex". According to folk legend, carving a "dragon gate" on a cliff can help Yunnan students "leap over the dragon gate with carp" and achieve success in the imperial examination. Coincidentally, in 1903, about half a century after the completion of Longmen, Yuan Jiagu, a native of Shiping, Yunnan, indeed won the top spot in the economic special examination of the late Qing Dynasty, becoming the "unique champion of Yunnan", as if fulfilling the hard work of the excavators at that time.

In depth understanding: explore more Chinese stone carving art treasures>>Dazu Rock Carvings

Natural Creation - The Gift of Dianchi Lake and the Sleeping Beauty
The charm of Xishan Longmen lies partly in the wonders of human labor, and partly in the natural scenery of talent.
The panoramic view of the vast Dianchi Lake: at the top of Longmen, it is an irreplaceable perspective for viewing Dianchi Lake. When the weather is clear, the city walls of Kunming can be vaguely seen, and boats create sparkling waves, forming a dynamic landscape scroll.
The shape of the "Sleeping Beauty" mountain: Looking from the east bank of Dianchi Lake, the outline of Xishan resembles a young girl lying on her back in the blue sky and clear water. Her green hair hangs down and her curves are beautiful, so Xishan is also known as the romantic nickname of "Sleeping Beauty Mountain". This natural statue adds a touch of softness and mystery to the majestic Western Hills, making it an excellent subject for distance photography.

Humanistic craftsmanship - a civilization epic based on stone
The Longmen Grottoes themselves are a great work of stone carving art, showcasing their unique, extraordinary, perilous, and secluded features in every detail.
The tragic legend of Kuixing: Inside the Datian Pavilion, the Kuixing Dian Dou statue holds a red pen without a tip, and behind it lies a tragic story. Legend has it that when carving this, the stonemason accidentally broke the tip of his pen, feeling guilty for decades of hard work. In sorrow, he jumped from the Dragon Gate and sacrificed himself for his craft. This legend adds a breathtaking power to exquisite art.
Cliff Carving Corridor: From Fenghuang Rock to Yunhua Cave, the cliffs along the way are densely covered with inscriptions, couplets, and stone tablets from literati and scholars of all dynasties. The aphorism of "taking difficult steps, standing firm on your feet; being in a state of mind, it is better to calm down" is not only an encouragement for climbers, but also rich in life philosophy.
Sanqing Pavilion Ancient Architecture Complex: The Sanqing Pavilion near the entrance of Longmen is another cultural treasure. This nine story and eleven pavilion architectural complex is built close to the cliff, with staggered heights, resembling a 'castle in the air'. It was first built in the Yuan Dynasty as a summer palace for the Prince of Liang, and later converted into a Taoist temple. Together with the Longmen Grottoes, it forms a complete religious and cultural landscape.

Photography tips:
The best panoramic camera position is on the exterior viewing platform of the Datian Pavilion, which can capture the panoramic view of Dianchi Lake and the steep cliffs together in the camera;
The cliff facing stone window of Yunhua Cave is a good place for framing and composition, with the stone window as the frame and Dianchi Lake as the scroll;
Using narrow boardwalks to capture character silhouettes can highlight the steepness of the environment and the insignificance of people;
When capturing details of stone carvings, it is recommended to use side lighting to highlight the texture of the relief and the traces of time.

Four essential tasks to unlock a complete journey through the Dragon Gate
Take a thrilling walk on the plank road: experience firsthand the feeling of 'one step difficult'. At the narrowest point of the Longmen boardwalk, only one person can pass sideways, and the cliff at the foot is Dianchi Lake. Please grip the railing tightly and steadily move forward, this is a test of courage and perseverance.
Touch the "Dragon Gate" for blessings: Before arriving at the Datian Pavilion, you will pass by the famous "Dragon Gate" stone archway. It is said that touching Longmen can bring good luck and auspiciousness. Many tourists stop here to touch and take photos as a souvenir, praying for academic progress and career success.
Make a wish for a top scholar: silently make a wish to Kuixing statue in the Datian Pavilion. Although the pen tip of Kuixing is broken, the longing for knowledge and success it carries remains unchanged throughout history, especially suitable for students and those who pursue career progress.
Enjoy a cup of cloud coffee: After reaching the summit, you can take a break at the Lingxu Ge Cafe located higher in the Xishan Mountains. Sitting in the highest altitude caf é, tasting flavored coffee while gazing into the distance, sipping the sense of achievement after conquering obstacles and the vast scenery in front of you.

Suggested tour routes
One day "Quick View of essence" Tour (the most classic choice):
Arrive at the entrance of Xishan Scenic Area at 9am → It is recommended to take an eco-friendly bus or cableway up the mountain to the entrance of Longmen Scenic Area to save energy (the cableway overlooks Dianchi Lake and provides a unique experience) → Visit Sanqing Pavilion and experience the charm of ancient architecture → Enter Longmen Grottoes and visit Fenghuang Rock, Ciyun Cave, and Yunhua Cave in sequence, and finally arrive at Datian Pavilion (the core area of the tour takes about 2-3 hours) → Enjoy and take photos at the Datian Pavilion observation deck → You can choose to return the same way or take a detour down the mountain through Longmen Tunnel → In the afternoon, have lunch at the Tea Horse Flower Street at the foot of the mountain and taste Yunnan specialty snacks such as small pot rice noodles and baked tofu.
IntoTravelChina tip: This itinerary covers the core landscape with moderate intensity. Suggest purchasing scenic area transportation tickets to efficiently connect various points.
Two day "Cultural Landscape" In Depth Tour (Highly Recommended for Cultural Enthusiasts):
Day 1: In the morning, visit Yunnan Ethnic Village to learn about the cultural customs of 26 ethnic minorities in Yunnan. In the afternoon, take a stroll along the Dianchi Lake embankment dam and overlook the panoramic view of the "Sleeping Beauty" in Xishan. In winter, you can also feed the red billed gulls. In the evening, stay at a special homestay near Xishan or by Dianchi Lake.
Day 2: Depart in the early morning and take a deep tour of the Longmen Scenic Area in Xishan, carefully observing every stone carving and inscription. In the afternoon, visit historical and cultural attractions such as the Nie Er Tomb and Huating Temple on Xishan. In the evening, enjoy authentic cuisine on the Tea Horse Flower Street and end the trip satisfactorily.
The advantages of IntoTravelChina: We can book the most suitable accommodation for you, arrange the connection of all activities, and provide detailed cultural attraction explanations and safety guidelines.

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How to reach: Seamless Connection Guide
Xishan Longmen is located in the western suburbs of Kunming city, with convenient transportation, making it an ideal destination for a day trip.
From Kunming city center:
Subway: Take Metro Line 3 to the terminal station "Xishan Park Station", which is the most convenient and environmentally friendly way.
Bus: Take multiple buses such as Route 6, Route 51, Route 94 to the "Gaoqiao" or "Xishan Park" stations.
Taxi/self driving: It takes about 40 minutes to take a taxi from the city center; Self driving can navigate to the "Xishan Scenic Area Parking Lot".
Starting from the Dianchi Lake Ridge area: You can take a sightseeing cableway that crosses Dianchi Lake near Yunnan Ethnic Village, with a unique aerial view.
Transportation within the scenic area: There are several kilometers of winding mountain roads from the entrance of the scenic area to the Longmen entrance. It is strongly recommended to purchase tickets for the scenic area's eco-friendly bus to save energy for climbing in the core area.

Best travel time
Xishan Longmen is suitable for all seasons, but the best experience is in spring and autumn.
Spring and Autumn Golden Season (March May, September November): Mild climate, high sky and light clouds. In spring, the mountain flowers are in full bloom, especially on March 3rd. Kunming people have traditional mountain climbing and outings, which are very lively; In autumn, the layered forests of the Western Hills are fully dyed, with golden ginkgo trees and stunning scenery.
Summer summer escape season (June August): Kunming is cool in summer, but there may be rainfall during the rainy season, so it is necessary to prepare rain gear. After the rain, the air becomes clear and the scenery of Dianchi Lake becomes even fresher.
Winter gull watching season (December February): The weather is clear and stable, making it a good time to watch Dianchi Lake and the sunrise. At this time, red billed gulls from Siberia gather at the Dianchi Dam for a combined bird watching experience.

Accommodation and surrounding tours
The surrounding area of Xishan Scenic Area is the preferred choice for characteristic accommodation. The Taihua Mountain Villa or nearby homestays in the scenic area can immerse you in the forest oxygen bar, where you can enjoy the morning sunshine and bird songs of the mountains and forests, and deeply experience the tranquility of "Xishan in the embrace".
Hotels in the main urban area of Kunming are convenient and comfortable choices, especially those located along Dianchi Road, Guangfu Road, or near Metro Line 3. Staying here offers a wide range of dining and shopping options, and taking the subway or taxi to the Xishan Scenic Area is also quite convenient.
Recommended nearby tours include: Yunnan Ethnic Village, which belongs to the same scenic area as Xishan, providing a one-stop experience of Yunnan's diverse ethnic culture; Walking to the Tea Horse Flower Street at the foot of Xishan Mountain, tasting authentic snacks and experiencing the retro street market atmosphere; And the Dianchi Lake embankment dam, which can be reached by bus or cable car, offers a vast lake view and is a popular spot for seagull watching in winter.
IntoTravelChina accommodation booking recommendations:
The characteristic accommodation resources in Xishan Scenic Area are limited, in high demand, and offer unique experiences. We strongly recommend planning your itinerary in advance and booking accommodation. By booking with us, let us know your budget and needs, and we will match you with the most suitable 'mountain and water travel'. >>Click to contact IntoTravelChina travel consultant

Cuihu Park is the perfect starting point for understanding the cultural history of Kunming and even Yunnan, which can radiate multiple exciting routes.
Classic 3-day humanistic lake spring trip in central Yunnan: Kunming (Green Lake, military academy, Dianchi Ridge) → Chengjiang Fuxian Lake (Plateau Deep Lake) → return to Kunming. This is a leisure journey that combines urban history with natural scenery.

Romantic 8-day Yunnan panoramic tour: Kunming (Green Lake, Stone Forest) → Dali (Ancient City, Erhai Lake) → Lijiang (Ancient City, Snow Mountain). This is a classic Yunnan first experience route from a historic city to the picturesque scenery. >>Explore the 8-day Yunnan Classic Journey

The story of Cuihu Park is about the dynamic relationship between a city and water, the sedimentation of historical storms between pavilions, and the everlasting passion for life in ordinary days. IntoTravelChina is dedicated to creating a deep, personalized, and worry free travel experience in China. Our travel experts can assist you with:
Tailored itinerary: Design a perfect route that includes Cuihu Park, Kunming, and Yunnan based on your interests and time.
One stop service: Get tickets, special accommodations, transportation connections, local cultural guides, and event reservations.
Exclusive experience: arrange in-depth explanations of the lakeside museum group, best seagull photography guidance, and visits to niche cultural districts.
Make your trip to Kunming not just sightseeing, but also a profound dialogue with the city's historical pulse and daily smoke and fire.

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