Key words: Kunming Taihua Temple,Taihua Temple in Western Hill Kunming China,Kunming Attractions

Location: 15 kilometers west of Kunming, Yunnan Province

Altitude: 2500 meters

"West Hill" is a collective name give to the hills on the western bank of Dianchi Lake- the Biyao, Luohan, Huating and Taihua, Which stretch over 40 kilometers. With craggy peaks, aged trees and ancient monasteries, these hills form a scenic zone of their own while serving as the enchanting backdrop of Dianchi Lake. Nestled in the hills are many scenic spots.

The cable car from Haigeng by the Dianchi Lake conveniently transports visitors up into the West Mountain. The Taihua Temple can be reached by turning right at the stop of Wanghai (Sea-Watching) Pavilion, half way up the hill. Taihua Temple stands out among all the temples in the West Mountain for its quiet setting and wonderful flowers. Many rare species of flowers can be seen in this temple, such as a special kind of camellia called "Precious Pearl", red magnolia and green petal plum blossom. Also noteworthy are the plum trees here whose leaves do not fall even in mid-winter.

Taihua Temple is at the highway up the Taihua Mountain. The temple was built in the Yuan dynasty hundreds of years ago. It contains a Great Hall, A heavenly Hall, a Elusion Tower and Grand-view Pavilion and some mansions and winding corridors. Taihua Temple has been famous the lush vegetation and blooming flower in the temple. In later spring or early summer, variety of flowers scatter everywhere around the temple with the camellia, magnolia the most impressive and famous. The area around the temple is blanketed by bamboo forest and old trees.

Outside the gate of the temple grows a 600-year old gingko tree, whose trunk takes four –five men to circle with their arms stretched out. The branches of the tree spread out in all directions. The tree was said to be planted by one of the Ming Emperors.