Yuantong Buddhist Temple
The Yuantong Temple, over one-thousand-year history, was built in the Tang Dynasty and was destroyed by the war in the Mongolian Kingdom. Later, in 1301 of the Yuan Dynasty, the temple was rebuilt on the original site. It has been expanded and renovated many times after the Ming and Qing dynasties and the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Yuantong Temple has become the most representative Buddhist shrine in Kunming.
Crossing the main gate and going down along the path, you can see an outstanding archway made in 1668, on which are painted the 4 Chinese characters means “Holy place of the comprehension of all things”. Continue downhill, you can admire a golden statue of Maitreya surrounded by four heavenly kings who are the Buddhist guardians.
Moving behind to the courtyard, right in the center of the pond you can see an octagonal pavilion where shelters Guanyin (the God of Mercy) with thousand arms. Going further is the main majestic hall contains 118 remarkable statues of Buddha.
Besides, blue and green mud dragons that were made in the Ming Dynasty and hovered over the pillar were also vivid and noticeable. Finished the major part, you would find the Theravada Buddha and Tibetan Buddha are also worshiped here.
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