Kunming Day Trip | Golden Temple, a Scenic Spot Combining History, Culture, and Natural Beauty

| Golden Temple, a treasure scenic area that blends historical culture with natural landscapes. Set off with my little cat to explore the Golden Temple 🌈| Entry #11 🔎 Golden Temple Scenic Area 📍 Navigation: Kunming Golden Temple Park (West Gate or East Gate). 🕙 Opening Hours: 07:00 - 18:00. 🎫 Ticket: Free admission during the Dragon Boat Festival when my family visited. Transportation Guide 🚌 Bus: Take buses 142, 10, or 146 directly to the West Gate of Golden Temple Scenic Area. 🚇 Metro: Transfer to Bus 47 at Kunming Railway Station (Metro Line 1) or take Bus 235 at Chuanxin Gulou Station (Metro Line 2). 🚗 Self-drive: Parking is available but tends to be crowded. 🏕 Itinerary Suggestions ✔️ Cultural & Historical Tour: West Gate (Main Entrance) → Second Heavenly Gate → Third Heavenly Gate → Taihe Palace Gate → Lingxing Gate → Forbidden City → Bronze Hall → Wu Sangui’s Broadsword & Zhenwu Seven-Star Sword Exhibition → Wu Sangui & Chen Yuanyuan Traditional Painting Exhibition → China Golden Temple Expo Garden → Autumn Garden → Bronze History & Culture Corridor → Bell Tower → Jinbo Cable Car → World Horticultural Expo Garden (or return the same way). ✔️ Relaxing Leisure Tour: East Gate → Cactus & Succulent Greenhouse → Butterfly Garden (Parrot Feeding) → Cedar Lawn (Camping & Picnicking) → East Gate. ✔️ Light Hiking Route: West Gate (Main Entrance) → Second Heavenly Gate → Third Heavenly Gate → Taihe Palace Gate → Lingxing Gate → Forbidden City → Bronze Hall → Exhibition Halls → China Golden Temple Expo Garden → Autumn Garden → Bronze History & Culture Corridor → Bell Tower → Camellia Garden → Azalea Garden → Flower Greenhouse Area → Rose Garden → Taihe Ancient Trail → Wooden Boardwalk → West Gate. ✨ Highlights - **Bronze Hall**: The tallest and best-preserved of China’s four major golden temples, built entirely of brass with mortise-and-tenon joints (no nails) by Wu Sangui in 1671 during the Qing Dynasty. - **Mingfeng Mountain**: Offers panoramic views of Kunming from the summit. - **Camellia Garden**: In spring, vibrant camellias bloom with intoxicating fragrances. 💯 Nearby Eats ✅ **Hamazhe Food Street**: Try local specialties like lamb hotpot, pine-needle roasted chicken, and grilled eggs. ✅ **Golden Temple Back Mountain Farmhouses**: Authentic rural cuisine. ‼️ Tips 👍 Wear comfortable hiking shoes—the area has many mountain paths. 👍 High-altitude UV is strong—bring sunscreen, hats, etc. 👍 For the cable car (operating 09:00-17:00), fares are 40 RMB (one-way) or 60 RMB (round-trip). 🏡 Accommodation: **Dream·Rainbow Hotel (Kunming Station, Huancheng South Road Metro Branch)** ✅ Convenient metro access: Take Line 2 to North Bus Station, then a short bus ride to Golden Temple Park. ✅ Ideal for non-driving travelers—located near Kunming Station for easy transfers. A great budget-friendly choice (100+ RMB) with clean, well-equipped rooms, including family options!