Haichaosi Forest Park in Kunming
🌿 Overview
Haichao Temple Forest Park is located behind Dading Mountain in Dashanshao Village, Suying Township, Songming County, Kunming, Yunnan Province. Surrounded by lush forests and sparkling springs, it offers refreshing natural scenery. From the mountaintop, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Songming’s idyllic farmland.
The park covers 1.5 square kilometers and hosts traditional folk events each year, such as the Swing Contest, Mountain Song Festival, and temple fairs.
🏞️ Main Attractions
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Haichao Temple
Originally built in the Ming Dynasty, it was one of the eight great temples of Songming, once renowned due to its location near Jialize Lake and the imperial courier route between Beijing and Yunnan. The temple was rebuilt starting in 1997, now featuring the Mahavira Hall (with an inscription by Zhao Puchu), the Heavenly King Hall, and more. -
Crystal Palace Cave (Shuijinggong)
Located on the northern slope, the karst cave is 20–30m wide, about 30m high, and nearly 1,000m deep with two chambers covering 5,700m². Stalactites shimmer like crystals, earning it the name “Crystal Palace.” Renovated in 2023 with new lighting and scenic installations, it is now open to visitors. -
Other Scenic Spots
The park also features Ji Gong’s “Journey to the Underworld” exhibit, a release pond, Guituo Stele, Kongming Spring (also known as Silent Spring or Poison Spring, linked to Zhuge Liang’s southern expedition legend), cultural performance stage, Garden Pavilion, ropeway playground, and more. Future development plans include fishing zones, the Kongming Spring Scenic Area, Bailongtan Amusement Park, and Xiaohai Reservoir Water Park.
📝 Visitor Information
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Tickets: Free entry to the park. The Crystal Palace Cave requires a separate ticket (~RMB 20).
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Opening Hours: Open all day; specific attractions (like the cave) may have separate schedules.
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Recommended Duration: 2–3 hours.
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Best Time to Visit: During Lunar New Year, the park is especially lively with temple fairs and festive activities.
🚗 Getting There
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Address: Dashanshao Village, Suying Township, Songming County, Kunming, Yunnan (along Provincial Road 101).
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Public Transport: Take a bus or train to Songming County, then transfer to local transport toward Dashanshao Village (check navigation apps or local stations for the latest routes).
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Self-Drive: Navigate to “Haichao Temple Forest Park (海潮寺森林公园)” or “Dashanshao Village, Suying Township, Songming County” for direct routes.
💡 Tips
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Confirm Name: Ensure you are heading to Haichao Temple Forest Park in Songming County, not a similarly named site.
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Check Updates: Before traveling, confirm the latest opening status, ticket info, and activities via official channels or call 📞 0871-67994314.
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Nearby Attractions: Songming also offers Xingyao Water Town Resort (AAA Scenic Area) and Fajie Temple Forest Park, which can be combined into your trip.
🌸 Final Note
Haichao Temple Forest Park blends cultural heritage, natural wonders, and local traditions. Whether you’re drawn to the mystical Crystal Palace Cave, the historic temple, or the vibrant temple fairs, it’s a great getaway near Kunming for nature lovers and culture seekers alike.
