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Places Of Worship In Kunming

Kunming is one of the first historical and cultural cities designated by the State Council. The ancestors of Yunan residents had lived a primitive life here tens of thousands of years ago. Later, agriculture and hunting had been developed by the primitive group here. What’s more, the residents even could spin and weave.
 
In Bronze Age, this place was the habitat of some Diqiang tribes, and among them Sou Tribe was the major group. Diqiang tribes were ancient nomad groups which scattered in Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai,Sichuan and North Yunnan. The local Daitong groups mixed with the Diqiang groups, which advanced the development of Dianchi region.
 
During the third century BC, General Zhuang from Chu State built alliance with Sou Tribe and established DianKingdom. Thus, the advanced culture and technology in central plain area were introduced into Dianchi region, which played a positive role in the local development.
 
In West Han dynasty, the region was subordinated to Yizhou County. Then in Jin and Sui dynasties, it belonged to Ningzhou County. During this period, Dianchi region had become a rich place in the Southwest.
 
Later in the mid Tang dynasty, Nanzhao State was established in Erhai area. Tuodong City was built on the current Kunming region. The city had become the second important political, economic as well as culture center in Nanzhao State.
 
Then in Song dynasty, Dali State overthrew Nanzhao State and unifiedYunnan. Tuodong City was improved to Shanchan Prefecture, one of the eight prefectures in Dali. The royal families always lived in Shanchan and built various palaces as well as gardens here. In the late period of Dali State, Shanchan County had become a quite prosperous city in Dianzhong region.
 
It was in Yuan dynasty that Kunming replaced Dali as the political, economic and cultural center in Yunnan.
 
Church (Catholic & Christian) in Kunming
 
St John Gospel Church
Across the road from Starbucks Coffee, behind the bus stop at Nanping Square, along a street called "Auspicious Alley", where shops sell jade, jewelry and anime, there is a white stone Anglican cathedral. Known as the Saint John Gospel Church, this building stands hidden from shoppers, vendors, and moviegoers in a spot it has occupied for nearly one hundred years.
 
The St John Church holds four services a week, on Saturdays and Sundays, and its pews can seat 1,400 people. Today, it is officially a Protestant church, although the building's history has deep ties to the Church of England.
 
In 1913, an Englishman named Dr Gordon Thompson arrived in Kunming with a small group of Anglican missionaries, aiming to set up a small hospital. The group took up residence in a courtyard at 96 Dongfeng Xi Lu. Two years later, the courtyard was torn down to construct a one-room church, seating 100 people, that Dr Thompson christened 'St John's'.
 
So reads the bronze placard entitled "Saint John Gospel Church", which summarizes the church's past for all passersby — that is, those who can read to the bottom, where the words are blocked by a large potted plant.
 
The placard continues: "In 1948, the mud and wood structure was replaced by a larger brick structure." In fact, according to the book Anglicans in China, St John's was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt to commemorate Allied soldiers who died in the war. An online source claims that the ashes of seventeen Flying Tigers pilots — two Britons, one Swede, and 14 Americans — once hung in packets on the walls of the church as a monument.
 
The ashes are long gone, but another bronze placard notes in Chinese and English, "For the Worship of God. In Memory of Allied Soldiers who Died in China. 1939-1945." This placard might be easily missed, since it is also blocked by a potted plant.
 
Buddhist Temples in Kunming
 
Yuantong Temple
With a history of more than 1200 years, Yuantong Temple is the grandest and most important Buddhist temple in Yunnan Province. King Yimouxun of the Nanzhao Kingdom built the temple in late eighth century. The restorations from the Qing Dynasty onward has not changed the unique mixed architectural style of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties.
 
Unlike all other Buddhist temples, you enter Yuantong Temple from above and descend along a gently sloping garden path. A memorial archway with four Chinese characters is standing halfway. The temple complex is built around Yuantong Hall, which is surrounded by a very large pond. A delicate stone bridge which has an elegant octagonal pavilion stands in the center and connects the hall and the temple entrance. The pavilion is connected to the rest of the complex by various bridges and walkways.
 
Sakyamuni, Amitabha and the Medicine Buddha, all Yuan Dynasty statues, are found in the main hall. The surrounding 500 Buddhist Arhats which are carved in the walls are noted for their perfect proportions and lively appearances. Also in this temple hall are two ten meter high pillars from the Ming Dynasty that are each engraved with a dragon trying to extend their bodies and claws into the air. Outside, on each side of the main hall, there are stone staircases carved out of the mountainside and wind their way to the top of the hill. There are ancient inscriptions along the way and various stone artworks considered the most important historical relics in Kunming. From the top of the stairs, you are presented with a terrific panoramic view of the entire complex. In 1982, Thai Buddhists sent a 3.5-meter-high copper statue of Sakyamuni, which is now placed in the Copper Buddha Hall combining Chinese and Thai styles.
 
Surrounding the temple pond are a series of halls where you will find old women praying, people sitting and chatting, ongoing classes in Buddhist scriptures, a magnificent calligraphy studio, an exhibit of temple photographs, a temple shop, a restaurant, and more.
 
Yuantong Temple is a real working temple. Buddhists from many different countries come here on pilgrimages to pay homage. There are special Buddhist services two times each month, and the Buddhist Association of Yunnan Province is also located here, making it a center of Buddhism in Yunnan. 
 
Tanhua Temple 
Built in 1634. According to historical records, before the temple was erected, there had been a thatched shack where Shi Shiqiao, a scholar of the Ming Dynasty, buried himself in books. Shi Tai, grandson of Shi Shiqiao, donated the estate for the shack whereon the temple was built.
 
In the backyard there was an epiphyllum tree, which is called tanhua in Chinese, hence the name. The temple went through many renovations during the Qing Dynasty. It is well-known for its flowers and plants. It has been a scenic spot for more than three hundred years, and an epitome of Kunming, the Flower City of the Southern Frontier. The epiphyllum tree was planted in the side court of the depository of Buddhist Scriptures. There is a stone tablet on which four characters are carved The Epiphyllum Brings Luck. After the erection of the temple, the original epiphyllum withered and died. The epiphyllum now standing taller than the eaves of the temple sprang from the root of the original one at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, and is about three hundred years old. It bursts into flowers in mid-summer. The big loquat tree in the backyard is said to have been planted in the early Ming Dynasty.
 
In the South Garden there are flowers and rockeries with winding paths among the flowers and the zigzagging corridor surround the Lotus Pond, where you can watch fish. The East Garden is shaded by tall cedars and cypresses and include seven smaller gardens and a Children's Playground.
 
In recent years, the old temple has resumed its original grandeur. It has become one of the most famous scenic spots in Kunming. 
 
Qiongzhu Temple 
An amazing work of art hidden in a temple several kilometers up in the mountains encircling Kunming. For the most part, it is a normal temple, but in one room, there is a series of sculptures that is an incredible work of art. A mixture of life-like figures in totally fantastical positions (man whose eyebrows grow down to the floor, monks riding giant fish), this is some trippy artwork that is worth the trip. 
 
Mosques (Masjid) in Kunming
 
Kunming Nancheng Mosque
Nancheng Mosque in the largest mosque in the city. The Nancheng Mosque was first built in Tang Dynasty(618-907) and was rebuilt for many times in Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). The appearance of the mosque was affected by the Buddhist culture, showing the architectural style of Chinese temples.
 
The existing temple was rebuilt in 1996, which covers an area of 2,557 square meters. The major constructions are the Chaozhen hall, Xuanli tower and Muslim Building. The Chaozhen hall is a three-floor building, covering an area of 1,200 square meters. In front of the hall is the courtyard. Both south and north side of the courtyard are the wing-rooms. The east of the courtyard is a nine-floor Muslim building, which covers an area of 5,800 square meters. The Xuanli tower is 9 meters high. The temple has keeping a large number of Islamic classics and books.
 
Address: 18 Zhengyi Road, Wuhua District, Kunming, Yunnan
 
Kunming Chongde Mosque 
Kunming Chongde Mosque is a five-floor Arabic-style building, which covers an area of 2,500 square meters. The first and the second floors are lent out for business use. The kitchen, water house and living room are set up in the third floor. The female hall and guest house are in the fourth floor. The male hall is in the fifth floor. Besides, there is a garden in the top floor.
 
Chongde Mosque is a new type masque in design and has become a scenic spot in Jinbi District.
 
Address: crossing of Dongsi Steet and Jinbi Road, Kunming, Yunnan 
 
Kunming Shuncheng Street Mosque 
The Kunming Shuncheng Street Mosque is one of the most famous masques in China. It was first built in the first year (1425) of Hongxi, Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) and was rebuilt and enlarged for many times in Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). The existing temple covers an area of 10,000 square meters. The major constructions are the prayer hall, pair halls, wing-rooms, guest house, dining hall and other facilities. In the yard, the pine sand cypress are planted around the building.
 
The Mosque is the headquarter of Islamic Association in Yunnan Province.
 
Address: Dunren Lane, Shuncheng Street, Kunming, Yunnan 
 
Kunming Yongning Mosque 
The Yongning Mosque was first built in Yuan Dynasty(1271-1368). The existing temple was rebuilt in the 24th year (1898) of Guangxu, Qing Dynasty(1644-1911).
 
The layout of the temple is a quadrangle courtyard. Entering the gate is a spacious yard. The prayer hall covers an area of 200 square meters. In front of the hall is the Juanpeng-style porch. Opposite the hall are the wing-rooms, which service as the rest room for the praying Muslim people. In the sides of the hall are the meeting room and teaching room. The temple is small in scale, but it attracts many Muslim people to do prayer here. Many imams from other masques in Yunnan come here for learning.
 
Address: West Section of Jinbi Road, Kunming, Yunnan
 
Kunming Jinniu Street Mosque 
The Jinniu Street Mosque was first built by Hui people in Yuan Dynasty(1271-1368). It was rebuilt and enlarged for many times. The existing temple is the only one well-preserved Chinese architectural-style mosques in Yunan Province. The prayer hall is a combination of wooden and concrete building, which can hold 200 people to do prayer. The Masque has become one of the most popular masques in China and attracts many none-Muslim visitors every year. It is a good window to know Islamic religion, culture, history,customs and civilized life.
 
Address: 41 Jinniu Street, Panlong District, Kunming
 
Kunming Yixigong Mosque
The Yixigong Mosque was first built in 1898 and has gone through winds and storms. It is one of the places for Muslim people to hold religious activities. The temple is standing in the center of Kunming. It attracts a great number of home and abroad Muslim people coming here to take part in the religious activities.
 
Address: 4 Nanchang Street, Wuhua District, Kunming, Yunnan 
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