The Jinma Biji Archways (金马碧鸡坊), standing at 12 meters tall and 18 meters wide, boast exquisite craftsmanship with intricately carved beams and painted rafters. The eastern archway faces Jinma Mountain, earning its name “Jinma Archway,” while the western one faces Bijishan Mountain, hence named “Biji Archway.” Separated by only a few dozen meters, both archways are traditional wooden gateways, serving as symbols of Kunming.
Construction of the Jinma Biji Archways dates back to the Ming Dynasty during the Xuande reign, making them nearly four centuries old. Despite enduring wars and destruction, they have been rebuilt multiple times. The Jinma Biji Archways, reconstructed under the supervision of Governor-General Cen Yuying in the 10th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign (1884), were dismantled in the late 1960s. However, they were rebuilt once again in 1998 during the renovation and expansion of Jinbi Road by the Kunming Municipal People’s Government.
During sunset, the last rays of sunlight illuminate the Biji Archway from the west, casting its reflection onto the streets to the east. Simultaneously, as the moon rises from the east, its silver glow shines upon the Jinma Archway, projecting its reflection onto the streets to the west. The shadows of the two archways gradually converge until they merge, creating the spectacular phenomenon known as “Jinbi Reflection Convergence,” which occurs only once every sixty years. Legend has it that such a phenomenon occurred during the reign of the Daoguang Emperor in the Qing Dynasty.
The area surrounding the two archways is also one of the bustling commercial centers in the city, with several shopping centers and gourmet restaurants scattered around the nearby streets, making it an ideal destination for shopping. At night, lively night markets often line the streets, offering a variety of goods from local vendors, as well as an array of delicious street food to indulge in.
Location and Transportation
The Jinma Biji Archways are located at the intersection of Sanshi Street and Jinbi Road in the downtown area of Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 3, 4, 90, 98, 206, 213, A1, or K12 and get off at Jinmafang Stop (金马坊站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Jinma Biji Archways is Wuyi Road on line 3 and line 5. After getting out of the station from Exit B, walk about 400 meters to the south to reach the attraction.
