Showing 1-16 of 16 results
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Ancient Buddhist Art Hall
The Ancient Buddhist Art Hall has examples of the art at Shíbǎoshān, near Dàlǐ, and the murals of Báishā outside Lìjiāng, which are useful if you are thinking of visiting either site.
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Bronze Drums Hall
The Bronze Drums Hall has a collection of artefacts from tomb excavations at Jìnníng (Diān Chí), Wanjiaba (Chǔxióng) and Lijiashan (near Jiāngchuān). The drums themselves date from the Warring States and Western Han periods and are superb. Of 1600 such drums known to exist in the world, China has 1400 and Yúnnán 400 itself, most unearthed at Shizhai Shān near Diān Chí. The ancient drums are brought into a modern context by their continued use among minorities such as the Yi.
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Chuàng Kù
West of the city centre in a disused factory district are a host of galleries of modern Chinese artists and photographers, along with a handful of restaurants and coffee shops (most rather pricey but worth a look-see for the artwork).
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East Pagoda
The East Pagoda is a Tang pagoda that was, according to Chinese sources, destroyed by an earthquake; Western sources say it was destroyed by the Muslim revolt.
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Green Lake Park
Get here early in the morning to take a stroll (or perhaps dance with the retired ladies), then chill in one of the lakeside cafés. Sunday is the best time to come. Also try to pay a visit late September to early October for the Lantern Festival, when simply everyone in the city seems to set a paper lantern boat with candle inside adrift on the waters - outstanding photo op!
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Kunming City Museum
The left-hand hall of this museum is packed with swords, spears and surprises like mini bronze ox heads excavated in the Kūnmíng area; you've got pot luck (generally none) on English captioning. The right-hand hall houses the highlight of the whole shebang, worth the cost itself - an impressive 6.6m pillar engraved with Buddhist scriptures from the Kingdom of Dali (AD 937-1253).
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Kunming Zoo
Kunming Zoo is worh it for the veiwes, if not the animals. Although the living conditions of the 750 animals are better than at most Chinese zoos (not saying much), most travellers give it a miss. High up on a spiral-shaped hill, you can strike out into the verdant grounds, which offer commanding views over the city.
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Minority Nationality Hall
The Minority Nationality Hall mostly consists of photos and fairly tacky shop mannequins (some with blond hair!) dressed in minority clothes, with examples of embroidery, bags and hats. It gives an idea of Yúnnán's ethnic diversity but you are better off going to Kūnmíng's Nationalities Museum.
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Nancheng Mosque
The oldest mosque in Kūnmíng (or at least on the site where a mosque has sat the longest), the 400-year-old Nancheng Mosque can be recognised by its telltale greenish onion domes, though the lower floors essentially look like the white-tiled offices that they are!
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Nánchéng Qīngzhēn Gŭsì (Nancheng Mosque)
Kūnmíng's oldest mosque, the 400-year-old Nancheng Mosque, was ripped down in 1997 to build a larger version. Close by is a lively strip of Muslim restaurants and shops selling skullcaps, calligraphy and pictures of Mecca. There's another mosque nearby, wedged between Huguo Lu and Chongyun Jie, and another mosque on the corner of Jinbi Lu and Dongsi Jie.
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Qióngzhú Sì (Bamboo Temple)
Dating from the Tang dynasty, the temple burned down and was rebuilt in the 15th century. It was restored from 1883 to 1890, when Sichuanese sculptor Li Guangxiu fashioned 500 luóhàn (arhats or noble ones). These life-size clay figures are a sculptural tour de force - 70 incredible surfing Buddhas ride waves on mounts including blue dogs, crabs and unicorns.
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TC/G Nordica
TC/G Nordica is best described as a gallery-exhibition hall-cultural centre. There's even a relaxing restaurant with Scandinavian and Chinese food. (One founder was Swedish, another Chinese - hence the mix). Do check out Nordica's website for a full slate of performances and exhibitions; most weekends something is happening (though if you wish to eat, at times on Friday or Saturday evenings reservations are required).
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West Pagoda
Attached is a compound that is a popular spot for older people to drink tea, chat and thwack mah jong tiles around (if not get a shave and a haircut). This Tang pagoda can't be climbed, nor is the temple complexe open, but it is aging as gracefully as the neighbourhood gentrifies around it.
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Yuántōng Sì (Yuántōng Temple)
The Yuántōng Temple is the largest Buddhist complex in Kūnmíng and a target for pilgrims. It is over 1000 years old and has seen many renovations. To the rear of the temple a new hall has been added, enshrining a statue of Sakyamuni, a gift from the king of Thailand. There's a great vegetarian restaurant across the main road from the temple entrance.
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Yuantong Temple
Yuantong temple, at the base of Luófēng Hill, is the largest Buddhist complex in Kūnmíng and a rare and superb example of Tang dynasty design. Yes, it is pretty cool to wander amid a 1200-year-old temple complex that still draws a fair number of pilgrims. The central courtyard holds a large square pond intersected by walkways and bridges, and at the centre has a Ming dynasty octagonal pavilion which houses a 3m golden Maitreya statue.
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Yunnan Provincial Museum
At the time of writing this museum was just having the finishing touches put on its much-needed face-lift; the previous incarnation was as much tomb as museum. The museum's three major collections will undoubtedly still call this home.
Showing 1-16 of 16 results
