at Dragon Gate
Dragon Gate is the most attractive scenic spot. In fact,it is the summit of artistic treasures in the Westem Hills. The
whole grotto was carved out of a huge rock w/th novel designs and the exquisite craftsmanship. In front of the grotto is a stone incense burner. Inside the grotto on the platform standing in the middle is Kuixing, god of literature. On his left is Wenchang, god of promotion and on his fight is Guanshen,god of force. On both sides of the wall, we can see that homes are galloping. On the ceiling, two cranes are flying in the clouds, and a peach tree with green leaves and red fruits are dazzlingly beautiful. Looking carefully, you will discover the writing brash held by Kuixing is without a tip. It has been said that the tip was broken off at the very moment when the whole sculpture of grotto almost came to an end. The sculptor who was carving the writing bmsh was so disappointed that he jumped over Dragon Gate, falling into the depth of the hill.

It took 72 years, from 1781 to 1853, to complete thesculpture of Dragon Gate. Following the work of Wu Laiqing,
Yang Rulan and his son, Yang Jitai guided many stone masons from the Dragon Gate Village at the foot of the hill to
take part in the project. It is said that masons were paid in the way that one kilo of rice to one kilo of spall. Perhaps this
may not be tree. However, it tells us how difficult the task was, about 200 years ago without any modem tools, but onlyby hands.

In 1984, in order to solve the problem of the crowds in-side the tunnel caused by those taking their way back, the
Kunming Municipal Government organized some people to excavate a roundabout passage leading to the top of the hill.
From there, visitors can take the chair-lift, going down to the foot of the Western Hills in a few minutes.

Kunming Travel Attractions