Panlong Temple Travel Guide | Explore a 600-Year-Old Temple

| Explore a 600-year-old temple. I. Introduction Panlong Temple is located on Panlong Mountain in Panlong District, Kunming, about 4 km from the city center. It is one of the famous Buddhist holy sites in Yunnan. The temple was built during the Zhizheng period of the Yuan Dynasty (1341), and has a history of more than 600 years. It is named after the winding mountain, which resembles a dragon, and the scattered halls. Panlong Temple is not only one of the oldest existing Buddhist temples in Kunming, but also the Buddhist center of Yunnan during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Xu Xiake, a famous traveler, also visited here during his travels in Yunnan. --- II. Transportation 1. By car/taxi - Search for "Panlong Temple Parking Lot" on your navigation app. The journey takes about 20 mins and costs about CNY 30–50. - Parking fee: approx. CNY 10/time (slightly higher on holidays). 2. Public transportation - Subway: Take Subway Line 2 to North Bus Station, then transfer to Bus C12 and get off at Panlong Temple Station. - Bus: Take Bus No. 23 or 198 and get off at Panlong Temple Station. --- III. Main Attractions 1. Mahavira Hall - The core building of the temple, enshrining statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and other main Buddhas. It is resplendent and popular with worshippers. The beams and pillars in the hall are exquisitely carved, and some remnants of murals from the Yuan Dynasty are preserved. 2. Five Hundred Arhats Hall - 500 clay sculptures of Arhats in different postures, vivid and lifelike, are relics of the Ming Dynasty and can be called artistic treasures. 3. Patriarch Hall - Enshrines Bodhidharma, the first patriarch of Zen Buddhism. A copy of the *Tripitaka* from the Qing Dynasty is kept in the hall, which is of great historical value. 4. Natural scenery - Pine forest trail: Thousands of acres of pine forest behind the temple are quiet and elegant, perfect for hiking. - Dianchi Lake overlook: Climb to the top of the mountain to overlook the panoramic view of Dianchi Lake, especially magnificent at dusk. --- IV. Travel Tips - Tickets: Free admission (separate tickets are required for some halls, approx. CNY 20–30). - Opening hours: 7:30–18:00 (subject to seasonal adjustments, it is recommended to confirm in advance). - Best seasons: Spring and autumn (azaleas bloom from March to May, and the pine forest turns red from November to December). - Things to avoid: - The temple is heavily commercialized, so be cautious when buying souvenirs. - Some tourists mention the wonder of "Immortal Pointing the Way", which is actually a coincidence of light and shadow, so don't insist on seeing it. - Do not talk loudly, smoke, or touch Buddha statues in the halls. --- V. Nearby Activities 1. Wild Boar Forest Ecological Park (approx. 1 km away) - Jungle adventures and CS field battles are available, suitable for family trips. 2. Dianyuan Ancient Town (20 mins by car) - Experience the history of the Tea Horse Road and taste the local specialties of the plateau. 3. Songhua Dam Reservoir (15 mins by car) - Cycling along the lake to enjoy the cherry blossoms in spring is a wonderful experience. --- VI. Food Recommendations - Vegetarian food in the temple: CNY 30–50 per person. We recommend trying "Luohan Zhai" and "Vegetarian Roast Goose". - Local farmhouse dishes: - Grandma's Cured Ribs Hot Pot (old shop in Panlong Village): Delicious soup base with mint dipping sauce. - Wild Mushroom Hot Pot (available from June to October): Delicious Termitomyces and Boletus mushrooms! --- VII. Accommodation Recommendations - High-end guesthouses: - Banshan Huotang · Yunyin Series: Design-conscious mountain villas with charming night views. - Budget hotels: - Chain hotels such as Home Inn and Hanting in Panlong District are convenient for returning the next day. --- VIII. In-depth Experiences - Attend morning chanting: Chant scriptures with the monks at 6:00 in the morning and experience the tranquility of meditation. - Copy scriptures for blessings: There is a scripture copying room in the temple where you can copy scriptures by hand and make wishes. - Photography spots: - The ancient ginkgo tree in front of the Mahavira Hall (golden yellow in autumn). - The viewing platform on the back mountain for photographing the sunset over Dianchi Lake. --- 📌Reminder: Although Panlong Temple is small, it blends culture and nature. If you want to avoid crowds, it is recommended to visit on a working day. If you have enough time, you can extend your trip to Songhua Dam Reservoir for cycling or Dianyuan Ancient Town for a leisurely stroll, and experience the poetic dwelling among the mountains and rivers of Kunming.