Overview

Name: Haigeng Dragon King Temple
Location: Located in Haigeng Park on the western side of Dianchi National Tourist Resort in Kunming, Yunnan. It faces the famous Western Hills Scenic Area across Dianchi Lake.
History: Originally built during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, with a history of more than 300 years. Over time, it has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times.
Recent Reconstruction: The temple was rebuilt starting in 2009, completed in 2010, and officially opened to the public for free on July 1, 2015.
Architecture: Built in a traditional Ming and Qing dynasty style, featuring a wooden courtyard complex.
Layout: The temple consists of a front hall, back hall, left and right wing rooms, and a watchtower pavilion.
Cultural Role: Historically, it was an important site where local fishermen and residents around Dianchi Lake prayed for good weather, rain, and abundant harvests.
Deities Worshipped: Central deity Yellow Dragon King, along with Liu King (Dragon King’s son-in-law), Dragon Princess, Net Guardian God, Sea Patrol General, God of Wealth (civil and martial), and even shrimp and crab generals.
Courtyard Landscape: The temple grounds preserve a centuries-old catalpa tree and a 50-year-old palm tree, along with newly planted bodhi trees, purple bamboo, and camellias.
Current Status: Open to the public free of charge.

🌟 Legend & Folk Traditions

According to local legend, the temple was originally funded and built by fishermen of the “Seven Families and a Half” community on the northern shore of Dianchi Lake. It is said that after an elder surnamed Li helped the fishermen reclaim land from local forces who had seized Caopi Beach, the temple was built here as a place of gratitude and blessing.

In the past, during important occasions such as Spring Festival, the third day of the third lunar month, and the opening of fishing season on Dianchi, large gatherings were held here. Locals from Guandu, Chenggong, and surrounding areas would come together, light incense, and pray for good harvests and peace, creating a lively festival atmosphere.

🏯 Another Dragon King Temple: Heilong Palace (in Black Dragon Pool Park)

Overview

Name: Heilong Palace (commonly known as Dragon King Temple)
Location: Inside Black Dragon Pool Park, Panlong District, Kunming.
History: Its predecessor, the Black Water Shrine, is believed to date back to the Han dynasty. The current structures were mainly built during the Ming dynasty and later expanded and renovated.
Religious Nature: A Taoist temple complex.
Special Features: The park is famous for its “Two Pools of Water”—one clear and one murky—creating a natural wonder. Heilong Palace itself is the lower temple, while the park also houses Longquan Temple (the upper temple and headquarters of the Yunnan Taoist Association).
Cultural Role: One of the oldest Taoist temples in Kunming, historically used as a place to pray for rain.

📌 Visiting Tips

Haigeng Dragon King Temple: Perfect for those interested in the fishing culture and folk traditions of Dianchi Lake. Since it’s located within Haigeng Park and close to the Western Hills Scenic Area, it’s a convenient cultural stop. The temple itself is small, so it doesn’t take long to explore.
Heilong Palace (Black Dragon Pool Park): Ideal for visitors fascinated by Taoist culture, ancient architecture, and the natural phenomenon of the “two pools of water.” Black Dragon Pool Park also features centuries-old trees such as Tang dynasty plums and Song dynasty cypress, making it well worth a visit. Note that the park requires an admission ticket.