Dragon Gate Tour in Kunming Xishan Scenic Area: A One-Day Travel Guide for the Year of the Dragon

Kunming Dragon Gate is located on the cliff of the top of Xishan. Xishan, situated on the west bank of Dianchi Lake and also known as Biji Mountain, was the foremost of the 'Eight Great Sceneries of Southern Yunnan' during the Yuan Dynasty and crowned as one of the 'Four Famous Mountains of Yunnan' in the Ming Dynasty. It is the best place to overlook Dianchi Lake, capturing the entire beautiful view of the lake. Following the main road of Xishan, you can visit famous sites such as Huating Temple, Taihua Temple, Nie Er's Tomb, and Dragon Gate Grottoes. You can choose to take a bus, cable car, or scenic area electric car for sightseeing, or you can opt for a pure hiking experience. It's a great destination for a city day trip on the weekend. Climbing to the top to gaze at Dianchi Lake and Kunming, the spring breeze at the summit will refresh your spirits. When visiting Xishan, you must go to Dragon Gate to see the 'Heavenly Mirror above the Sea'. Standing at Dragon Gate and looking down at Kunming, the horizon disappears, and everything is shrouded in a misty haze. Dianchi Lake, city buildings, distant mountains, fog, and sky blend into varying shades of blue, as if forming a continuous expanse. To reach Dragon Gate, you need to navigate a narrow plank road and ascend stone steps after going up the mountain. Touching Dragon Gate in the Dragon Year is said to bring a full measure of good fortune. Kunming Dragon Gate Grottoes are completely different from the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang! Recommended route: Take the Dragon Gate cable car (one-way 25 yuan) up the mountain — Walk to Dragon Gate Grottoes (ticket 15 yuan) — Take the bus (one-way 10 yuan) down the mountain After descending the mountain, you can also stroll around Tea Horse Flower Street. See the next article for the guide.