Jindian Park, Kunming – Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights

jindian park kunming

Jindian Park (金殿公园), established in 1602 by the Yunnan Governor Chen Yongbin on Mingfeng Mountain, encompasses the Lüxian Temple, Taihe Palace, and Sanyuan Temple, collectively covering an area of 1773 acres. The park derives its name from the grand hall constructed of brass, which radiates dazzling golden light when illuminated by sunlight, creating a picturesque scene amidst the lush greenery of the valley, hence earning the moniker “Jindian” or “Golden Hall.” It is also known as the Copper Tile Temple. During the Qing Dynasty, it served as the residence of Wu Sangui, a prominent historical figure.

The park features a small mountain, offering leisurely walks amidst verdant trees and meticulously manicured flower gardens, creating a refreshing atmosphere. Along the paths, visitors encounter elegant ancient architectural relics and exhibitions detailing Wu Sangui’s life, providing opportunities for exploration and learning. Additionally, visitors can engage in activities such as coin tossing and bell striking, seeking good fortune.


Table of Contents


Basic Information

Estimated Length of Tour2 hours
Ticket PriceFree
Opening Hours7.30 – 18.00; Last admission: 17.30
Telephone Number0086-0871-65018306

Location and Transportation

Located atop Mingfeng Mountain in Panlong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, Jindian Park is situated at 771 Chuanjin Road. To get there, you can take bus 10, 57, 71, 146, 147, 159, Z146, or Z150 and get off at Jindian Parking Lot Stop (金殿车场).


Highlights of Jindian Park

Golden Hall in Taihe Palace

Golden hall in jindian park

At the heart of Taihe Palace lies the Forbidden City, an extraordinary bronze structure measuring over 300 meters in circumference. The centerpiece of the Forbidden City is the North Pole Zhenwu Hall, a majestic bronze edifice standing 6.7 meters tall, 7.8 meters wide, and 7.8 meters deep. Adorned with arches on all sides, the roof features intricate carvings of cloud dragons, dragon heads at both ends, and a central depiction of dragon flames and pearls. The ridge is embellished with sculptures of figures, horses, and fish. The walls of the hall are adorned with a combination of 36 lattice doors. The main entrance showcases relief carvings of auspicious cloud dragons and phoenixes, while geometric patterns of the Chinese character “Shou (寿)” adorn the side and rear doors. Inside the hall, an octagonal coffered ceiling is adorned with relief carvings of cloud dragons. The central bronze statue depicts Zhenwu, a deity in Taoism, flanked by bronze statues of Golden Boys, Jade Maidens, and the Tortoise and Snake Generals. Historian Fang Guoyu estimates that more than 250 tons of bronze were used in the construction of the bronze hall, making it one of the largest and heaviest bronze buildings in China and one of the four major bronze halls in the country.


Exhibition in Grand Preceptor’s Palace

exhibition in jindian park kunming

Adjacent to the Forbidden City lies the Exhibition Hall of the Grand Preceptor’s Palace. Originally the site of the Tian Shi Temple, it was transformed into a two-story courtyard during the Republic of China era. In 1993, it was converted into the Jindian Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall, featuring exhibits such as the Great Sword of Wu Sangui and the Seven-Star Sword of Zhenwu, as well as the Taihe Palace Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall. The exhibition also includes displays of Chen Yuanyuan and Wu Sangui’s paintings, as well as an exhibition of Western Zhou bronzes. Of particular note is the “Seven-Star Treasure Sword,” weighing over 30 kilograms, with seven bronze stars embedded on both sides of the blade. It was originally housed in the bronze hall and is considered Zhenwu’s “treasured weapon for subduing demons and monsters,” cast during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1671). Another notable exhibit is the wooden-handled broadsword, weighing 6 kilometers, which was used by Wu Sangui and displayed as a symbol of his martial prowess after the construction of the bronze hall.


Bell Tower

bell tower in jindian park kunming

The Bell Tower stands proudly at the summit of Mingfeng Mountain, towering at an elevation of 2058 meters. Constructed in 1983 and completed in October 1984, this towering structure measures 29 meters in height and comprises three stories, forming a “十” (cross) shape. Each level boasts 12 corners, totaling 36 corners across the entire tower. During construction, with no access roads, all building materials had to be carried up the mountain manually. At the apex of the dome on the third floor hangs a magnificent bronze bell. This bell originally hung at the Yihua Tower, the southern gate of Kunming, cast during the Ming Dynasty in the twenty-first year of the Yongle reign (1423). Standing at 3.5 meters tall with a circumference of 6.7 meters, weighing a staggering 14 tons, it is the largest surviving ancient bronze bell in Kunming. Initially used for timekeeping, it later served as an alarm bell. In 1953, with the demolition of the Xuanhua Tower, the bronze bell was relocated to the Ancient Pavilion Park outside the Zhaoyuan Tower. In 1970, it found its current home in the scenic area of Jindian.


Kunming Yuanlin Botanical Garden

kunming yuanlin botanical garden in jindian park

To the south of Mingfeng Mountain sprawls the Kunming Yuanlin Botanical Garden, covering over 600 acres. Divided into various themed zones such as the Camellia Garden, Rhododendron Garden, Flower Greenhouse Area, Magnolia Garden, Rose Garden, Endangered Plant Zone, and Fruit Garden, the garden boasts more than 2500 species of plants. The Camellia Garden, the largest thematic garden, spans over 200,000 square meters and hosts over 10,000 camellia plants. Meanwhile, the Rhododendron Garden, spanning 60 acres, primarily features Yunnan rhododendrons. This botanical wonderland offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the diverse flora of the region, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Kunming’s plant life.


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Attractions near Jindian Park

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Noah Leon
6 days ago

1. Jindian Park is a bit far from the city center. You can take Metro Line 5 to the Expo Park Station, and visit the Expo Park together; you can also take the cable car up. Alternatively, you can change to the West Gate and walk or take the toboggan up the mountain. 2. Behind Jindian Park, there’s also the Kunming Botanical Garden. If you have time, it’s worth a visit. 3. Walking up the mountain from the West Gate… Read more »

Lisa Cohen
1 month ago

The weather was beautiful; in the afternoon, I went to the park alone to take pictures of flowers. The ancient magnolias in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony were in full bloom, and the plum blossoms beneath the ancient city wall were quietly blooming as well. There were very few tourists, so I strolled around taking photos. When I got tired, I sat down to enjoy a cup of tea before continuing to photograph the camellias.

Dana Taylor
2 months ago

A great place for urban hiking, you can enjoy the joy of winding through the dense forest. Hiking in Jindian Park, turn right as you enter and take the small path to walk uphill. You will reach a large meadow and then take the boardwalk to exit at the eastern gate of the Rhododendron Garden. You can enter through the northern gate from the reservoir, and go down the stairs from the Second Heaven Gate. The entire route is about… Read more »

David Stokes
3 months ago

The Golden Pavilion Park is located on Mingfeng Mountain in the northern part of Kunming. During the Qing Dynasty, it was the residence of Wu Sangui (吴三桂) in Kunming. Despite being called the Golden Pavilion, it is actually made of copper. It functions as a regular public park with free admission, although there is a fee for the cable car.

Dawn Wilcox
4 months ago

Hiking in Jindian Park is a delightful experience. Upon entering, turn right to take a small path that leads uphill. You’ll reach a large lawn and then follow the boardwalk to the Rhododendron Garden before exiting through the East Gate. You can also enter from the North Gate via the reservoir, and descend through the steps at the Second Day Gate. The entire trail is about four kilometers long, featuring numerous steps going up and down. However, the views are… Read more »

Lynn Rodriguez
5 months ago

The Golden Pavilion seems like a place where Wu Sangui engaged in personal worship, making it an interesting park to visit.

Max Allan
7 months ago

Taking the cable car from Kunming World Expo Garden to Mingfeng Hill offers splendid views of ancient towering trees. The mountain top is cooler than the base, and surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers, making it a great leisure spot. The Golden Hall, built during the Ming Dynasty as a Taoist site, was extensively renovated with copper by Wu Sangui in the early Qing Dynasty. It’s a good place for hiking or taking the cable car up.

Dr. Adam Hood
7 months ago

You can hike into the mountain from the north gate, make a full circle, and exit from the west gate. If driving, you can directly reach the Taihe Palace inside the mountain. The area of the scenic spot is large with complete facilities, making it suitable for mountain climbing and outings, especially when the weather is nice.

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Feel free to ask any question about this place ^_^x
enjoy the same discount as a Chinese