Tucked away amid flowering trees and towering stands of bamboo at the foot of the Western Hills, Kunming's Huating Temple (Huátíng Sì, 华亭寺) is a beautifully preserved example of a classic southwestern Chinese Buddhist temple.
Dating from 1063 AD, the temple site originally served as a family temple and retreat established by Nanzhao Kingdom governor Gao Zhisheng. By the mid-14th century, however, it had been reborn (and rebuilt) as a Buddhist temple under the Yuan Dynasty, soon becoming Kunming's largest such complex.
Today, the temple is a frequent stop for both Buddhists and tourists, with its beautifully painted, gilded and lacquered Buddhas providing comfort to the former and snapshot opportunities to the latter, while its quiet gardens make for a lovely spot of rest and relaxation for all comers.
Huating Temple, along with the Dragon Gate, makes for an excellent stop on a hiking tour of the Xishan Scenic Area overlooking Dian Lake, whether you do it yourself or take advantage of a Kunming tour that takes in the Western Hills.
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