[2025 Anning Attraction] Travel Guide for Caoxi Temple (Updated Apr)

#travelinginchina ✈️ The Dai Temple next to Kunming is so beautiful 🙏 The Southern Buddhist Temple of Yunnan Buddhist College is located on a mountainside in the suburbs of Anning, about 30km away from Kunming. It is the most exotic temple next to Kunming- ✈️ Aerial photography revealed its beauty. The vegetation near the temple in early summer is lush and abundant, filled with negative ions, and the forest has a pine flavor that can be savored with just a sip- ♦️ Search for "Yunnan Buddhist College" on the navigation, it is 36km away from Kunming ♦️ Anning public transportation can take route 18 to Anning Hot Spring Station ♦️ No tickets, the tour time is about 2 hours ♦️ I suggest taking a look at Caoxi Temple next to the Buddhist Academy, where there is a vegetarian meal to eat. ♦️ Pay attention to height control during aerial photography, be careful of nearby tower cranes and tree branches 🌿！ - #trip #localguides #localguides #historicallandmarks #familytrip

🌸Kunming is not a fast-moving consumer attraction like instant noodles, nor is it a transit station to other travel destinations in Yunnan, but a Pu'er old tea that needs to be savored carefully. 🌹During my three-day trip, I used Zen to tap the folds of time on the first day, used ecology to feed back historical imagination on the second day, and searched for the anchor point of the intersection of civilizations in the modern and contemporary waves on the last day, and finally let this "Spring City" appear in the multi-dimensional vibration of taste, touch and vision. Day 1⃣: A time-space compass where Sanskrit and Confucianism interweave Caoxi Temple→Wenquan Cliff Carvings→Anning Confucian Temple (Anning Museum)→Jingzhu Temple→Kunming Confucian Temple→Zhengyifang Kunming Old Street The Song Dynasty wooden hall of Caoxi Temple hides the creative translation of Central Plains architecture by craftsmen of Nanzhao State. The dialogue between Kublai Khan's "Zhenhai Shenci" and Yang Sheng'an's poems in the Wenquan Cliff Carvings reveals that Yunnan has always been a melting pot of Central Plains civilization and frontier wisdom. In the afternoon, I looked up at the Qing Dynasty clay sculptures of 500 Arhats at Jingzhu Temple. These laughing and scolding gods, wearing straw sandals and smoking dry tobacco, were clearly the various forms of the caravans on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. In the evening, we turned into the Kunming Confucian Temple. The mottled cracks on the chiwen of the Dacheng Hall formed a montage with the newly built wall of the internet-famous coffee on Zhengyifang Old Street. At this moment, I tasted the wild mushrooms steamed in a Jianshui steam pot in the "Laodian Mountain Village", and I was surprised to find that the so-called tradition is never a specimen, but an active gene that is constantly reorganized. Day 2⃣: A civilization index constructed by gull feathers and bronze Feeding seagulls at Haigeng Dam→Xishan Scenic Area→Yunnan Provincial Museum The red-billed gulls at Haigeng Dam in the early morning are not only an ecological business card, but also a reflection of the bronze buckle of the "Feathered Man Racing" of the ancient Dian Kingdom. As bread crumbs drew silver arcs in the air, two thousand years ago, priests on the shores of Dianchi Lake might have been scattering shell money to the water god. Climbing up the Longmen Gate on the Western Hills, the relief of the five-line musical scores in front of Nie Er's tomb and the flying eaves of the Sanqing Pavilion Taoist Temple form a wonderful polyphony - this is not only the home of the musician's soul, but also the sacred place where the royal family of Nanzhao Kingdom worshipped the sky. In the afternoon, I stopped in front of the gilded knight shell container in the Yunnan Provincial Museum. The horse-leading men and umbrella-holders solidified in bronze suddenly overlapped with the oil-paper umbrella in the hands of the Bai grandmother who passed by me while feeding gulls in the morning. Spending the night by the Dianchi Lake, the rising steam from the sauerkraut beef hotpot clearly carries the codes written alternately by the ancient Dian, Yi, and Han people. Day 3⃣: The birthmark of modernity blending blood and green Military Academy→Cuihu Park→Yunnan University (Donglu Campus)→Lu's Mansion→Zhenqing Temple→Golden Temple→Expo Park→Airport In the Generals' Corridor of the Military Academy, the swords of the heroes still shine coldly; turning into the bank of Cuihu Lake, the echo of Wen Yiduo's last speech still trembles among the crabapple flowers; under the Baroque dome of Yunnan University Huize Academy, the calculus formula calculated by Xiong Qinglai and the bells of the border caravans once resonated wonderfully. Touch the telegraph keys of the National Protection Movement under the French columns of the Lu Mansion, and go to the shadows of the crape myrtle flowers in the Zhenqing Temple to watch the Taoist nuns studying quantum mechanics - the magic of this city is that it can always allow seemingly opposing things to complete genetic recombination. When the sword of Wu Sangui in the Golden Temple and the flags of all nations in the Expo Park appeared at the same time in the twilight, I realized that Kunming’s modernity was destined as early as when it became the "Crossroads of Asia". Attached is the 3⃣day 3⃣night itinerary: Day 1⃣Chengdu→Kunming Arrive in Kunming in the evening of the first day, pick up the car, and check in to the hotel Day 2⃣ Caoxi Temple→Wenquan Cliff Carvings→Anning Confucian Temple (Anning Museum)→Qingzhu Temple→Kunming Confucian Temple→Zhengyifang Kunming Old Street Food: Shushupu Sour Bamboo Chicken, Laodian Mountain Village Yunnan Cuisine Day 3⃣ Feeding seagulls at Haigeng Dam→Xishan Scenic Area→Yunnan Provincial Museum Food: Xishan Farmhouse, Pickled Cabbage Beef Day 4⃣Kunming→Chengdu Army Military Academy→Cuihu Park→Yunnan University (Donglu Campus)→Lu's Mansion→Zhenqing Temple→Golden Temple→Expo Park→Airport Food: Yunnan snacks ✔️TIPS for sightseeing: 1⃣It is recommended to rent a car. Although Kunming is not big, the distance between attractions is far, and it is more convenient to drive by yourself; 2⃣If you stay in the city, it is recommended to choose Cuihu or Jinbi area

Located in Anning City, Kunming, Caoxi Temple has a Buddhist history that can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty and is related to the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Huineng, and his disciples. It is said that when Huineng's disciples traveled to Anning Hot Spring, they saw that the terrain here was similar to that of Caoxi Temple in Shaoguan, Guangdong, so they built a temple here and named it Caoxi Temple to show that it was a continuation of Caoxi Temple in Shaoguan. On February 14, 2025, we visited this ancient temple. When we entered the temple, we found that it was built in the Southern Song Dynasty, facing east and built on the mountain, covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, and divided into three platforms: the Hall of Heavenly Kings → the Hall of Guanyin → the Main Hall, rising one by one, with a rigorous architectural layout and a typical Chinese temple style (Photo 3). According to the text in the temple: the famous architect Liang Sicheng visited the temple in 1938, not only leaving a hand-drawn picture (Photo 3), but also, with his profound research on ancient Chinese architecture, believed that the beam and column structure of the main hall of Caoxi Temple, with the dougong as the fulcrum, was mechanically accurate; such Song Dynasty architecture is unique in Yunnan Province and rare in the country. These research results filled the gap in the history of ancient architecture in southwest China in Liang Sicheng's great work "History of Chinese Architecture" and were included in the "Illustrated Book of Ancient Chinese Architecture". After the tour, we felt that the temple was exquisite - both in terms of architecture and statues!

The ancient Yuan plum tree at Anning Caoxi Temple is a precious ancient plum tree with a rich historical and cultural heritage. Here is a detailed introduction: Basic information: This ancient plum tree is located in Caoxi Temple in Wenquan Street, Anning City, Kunming City, Yunnan Province. It is estimated to have been planted in the Yuan Dynasty and is now over 710 years old. Its trunk is 0.8 meters in diameter and 2 meters high, with branches extending horizontally on both sides, undulating and winding like two dragons playing with a pearl, vigorous yet beautiful. Ornamental value: Every year in late winter and early spring, the plum blossoms proudly on the branches, contrasting with the surrounding red walls and black tiles, like a poem or a painting. Its flowers are pink and delicate, adorning the branches, looking elegant and graceful from afar, and fresh and lovely up close, emitting a faint fragrance that attracts many tourists to admire and take photos. Cultural significance: Throughout history, many literati and poets have praised plum blossoms. This ancient plum tree has endured the vicissitudes of time and still blooms with new buds, giving people a sense of rejuvenation and renewal. It is not only a masterpiece of nature but also a symbol of the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation, reflecting the spirit of perseverance and self-improvement.

When I was a child, I read Cai Zhizhong's comic "The Sixth Patriarch's Altar Sutra - Buddhist Singing in Caoxi". Caoxi is the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism, referring to Caoxi and Nanhua Zen Temple in Qujiang County, Guangdong Province. [Pushpin] There is actually a Jogye Temple in a hot spring town. It must be related to Zen Buddhism. Let’s go and find out. From the cliff carvings, cross the Longfeng Bridge, go uphill along Longchao Road, turn left at Longxi Road and continue walking about 800 meters to reach Caoxi Temple. [Scenic] Among the mountains and forests, the ancient temple is quiet and quiet, facing east from the west and built against the mountains. Sure enough, this temple was originally built by Zen Master Weizhong, a disciple of Shenhui, a disciple of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng during the Tianbao Dazhong period of the Tang Dynasty (742-783 AD). [Shrine] This temple not only has a long history, but also has a collection of cultural relics [!] The main hall [Sun] Baohua Pavilion in the temple was identified by Liang Sicheng as a Dali building in the Southern Song Dynasty. It is unique in its use of brackets as the fulcrum and is rare in the country. There is a 42-centimeter round hole in the middle of the front eaves of Baohua Pavilion. Every Mid-Autumn Festival there will be a spectacle of "Moon Reflected in Caoxi". In addition, the [Sun] wood carvings of the Song Dynasty "Three Saints of Huayan" in the temple, the [Sun] "Sanjue Stele" written by Yang Shen, the number one scholar in the Ming Dynasty, and the 800-year-old Yuanmei tree are all treasures in the temple[!] [○] Highlights: [One] Caoxi Temple, located in the northwest of Anning City, Kunming City, was first built in the Song Dynasty and rebuilt in antique style during the Guangxu Period of the Qing Dynasty (1875~1908). [Two] Caoxi Temple faces east from the west. The building adopts a traditional temple layout, with mountains and water, steps and steps upwards, arranged symmetrically. Along the central axis, there are the mountain gate, Weituo Hall, main hall, and back hall, with bell tower, drum tower, Zen room, guest hall, etc. on both sides. [Three] Baohua Pavilion in the main hall is one of the only two remaining Song Dynasty buildings in Yunnan. The beams and columns in the pavilion are supported by brackets and are still intact after eight or nine hundred years. [Four] There are 120 famous Buddhist temples in China, including six in Yunnan, and Caoxi Temple is one of them. [Five] is a national key cultural relic protection unit. [Six] Free and open. [○] Recommendation index: [Star][Star][Star][Star][Star]

I drove myself to the Central Plains for 46 days in the autumn. I originally planned to take a rest at the end of this year’s trip, but I didn’t expect that I got a ticket and flew to Kunming, arriving at a peaceful hot spring ♨️ town. Maybe this is more suitable for recuperation[!][Grin] That's natural, this town is so beautiful[!] Fengshan is to the east, Longshan is to the west, Mantis River runs through it, green water and mountains, blue sky and white clouds, gentle breeze and rising sun, green trees and red flowers, quiet streets, as clean as fallen leaves 🍂Nowhere. The altitude here is 1,825 meters, and the forest coverage rate is 79%. The negative oxygen ions in Fengshan Forest Park are as high as 5,824/cubic meter, ranking second in the country [!] The calcium carbonate and magnesium hot springs here are high-quality mineral springs that can be drank and bathed in. They were praised by Yang in the Ming Dynasty. Shen praised it as "the best soup in the world" [!] This is definitely a good place to rest [ThumbsUp]. [Pushpin] Entering the hot spring town from Anning city, there is a large archway with a sign saying "the best soup in the world" [!] Once you get to know it, you will know that this place is not only a pleasant scenery, but also has the "Jasper Soup" that originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Here are the cliff carvings dating from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, here is the Caoxi Temple, a famous ancient temple in central Yunnan, here is the Yunnan Buddhist College, and there are many celebrity mansions, and there are many anecdotes about celebrities [!] [RedHeart] I have ten days here, so I can go sightseeing and experience it[!]

Jogyesa Temple is the head temple of Korean Buddhism. It is the head temple of the Jogye Order (Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism), the largest sect in Korean Buddhism, and has a history of over 600 years. It has a main hall and a seated Great Buddha. When I went there, the flowers were beautifully decorated and I was very impressed. ✨ There were many worshippers, and I thought it was a temple loved by the locals!! [Name] Jogyesa Temple 조계사 [Location] 55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, Korea #0yentravelautumn #Koreatrip #Koreatourism #overseastravel

A place that only locals in Anning would come to Caoxi Temple, a very small place The three carved wood carvings on the dark side of the Great Hall of the Buddha are exquisite, detailed and exquisite, and the Song Dynasty wood carvings It is a miracle that the wood carvings from thousands of years ago have been preserved The three wood carvings still retain the colors of thousands of years ago, the patterns are exquisite, and the boy on horseback is even more vivid 🎟️Ticket related: Free Caoxi Temple 🕐️Scenic area opening hours: 8:30-18:00 💗Other tips: 1. Explain your purpose to the staff guarding the Great Hall of the Buddha, and you can usually enter the hall for a visit. 2. You can eat vegetarian food on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month 3. There are three holy waters in the north and Pearl Spring in the south on both sides of Caoxi Zen Temple It is recommended to visit them together 4. Caoxi Temple is not big, but it has many historical relics, which is worth visiting.