Western Hill and Dragon Gate

Dragon Gate (Xishan Longmen) can be found high up near the top of Western Hill, on the top of the cliffs of Luohan (Arhat) Peak. The trail starts from Sanqing Pavilion and reaches as far as Datian Pavilion. The whole area over the cliff is known as ‘Dragon Gate’. They say that a tour of Kunming is only complete when it includes Western Hill and Dragon Gate.

Quick Facts

Chinese name: 西山龙门 Xī Shān Lóng Mén
Constructed: Yuan Dynasty (1271-1367, also known as the Mongol Dynasty)
Suggested time: 1.5 hours
Ticket: RMB 40 per person (included in the general ticket of Western Hill Scenic Area)
Address: Western Hill Forest Park in Western Hill Scenic Area, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
Open hours: 8:30-19:00
The best time to visit: from March to October (probably not winter)
How to get there:
1. Take the No. 5 bus from Kunming and get off at Liangjiahe Station, west of Kunming. Then take the No. 6 or the No. fu-6 bus and get off at Gaoyao Station.
2. Take the cable car from the Yunnan Ethnic Groups Village in Dianchi Tourism & Resort Scenic Area and get off at Longmen directly.
3. Take the No. 6, No. 51 or No. 94 bus and get off at Gaoyao. Then take the eco-friendly Western Hill Coach.

Highlights of Western Hill and Dragon Gate

Longmen

There is a geological fault at the Western Hill. To the south of the fault, a stone pathway was manually constructed. There is a spiral tunnel in the midway with the height of an average person. The spiral pathway provides a peep hole through which the abyss thousands of meters deep can be viewed. Standing on Longmen, tourists will have a panoramic view of the vast Dianchi. There is the Kui Star Pavilion on the top of the hill and the "Map and Phoenix" half way up. People have named the place after the inscription of Longmen (Dragon Gate) on the stone archway of Datian Pavilion.

Reclining Buddha Hill (Western Hill)

There are lush trees and flowers on Western Hill. Its reputation as the Top Scenery in Yunnan dates back many years. The mountains extend over 40 kilometers at an altitude of 1900 to 2350 meters above sea level. When looked at from afar, the Western Hill can be seen as a young lady lying on both sides of Dianchi Lake. Its outline is distinct and she is graceful indeed. When it comes to the time of the traditional gala which starts on March 3 (3·3, in the lunar calendar), all kinds of music and dances will be performed at that time from dawn until dark.

Longmen Grootoes

Longmen Grottoes, located at the end of the Western Hill Scenic Area, is the grandest and most excellent set of Taoist in Yunnan Province. The grottoes are built in the extraordinarily dangerous environment, which make them top above the other attractions in the Western Hills. It is a very famous must-see amongst a plethora of sights in Yunnan.