Kunming West Hill (Xishan Forest Park)
Kunming West Hill (Xishan Forest Park)
4.5
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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FaizalP61
Sungai Buloh, Malaysia1,048 contributions
Dec 2019
Located to the west of Lake Daichi, these hills have a fantastic view of the lake and Kunming City. Easily accessible in 20 minutes by Subway line 3 (4RMB per person). From western Hill Subway station turn left and walk south for 80m then descend steps to feed village and ticket office. A combined entrance, bus, Cable car and buggy ticket can be bought for 130 per person. Take the Bus about 4 km to the end of the line, ascend the cable car/chairlift to the top and then follow the trail to the left to descend to Dragon's Gate and the temples and reach the electric buggy station and return to the base of the cable car station and the bus to the main entrance.
There are fantastic views much of the way of the lake, city, mountain scenery and temples. Allow a minimum of four hours for the visit or a full day if you want to walk in and out rather than take the bus. There is a good variety of food at the village near the entrance including two muslim restaurants.
There are fantastic views much of the way of the lake, city, mountain scenery and temples. Allow a minimum of four hours for the visit or a full day if you want to walk in and out rather than take the bus. There is a good variety of food at the village near the entrance including two muslim restaurants.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lonely Laowai
174 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
When you arrive, you will get a booklet of tickets intended to cover the entire park.
You can think of the park as being broken into three parts:
1) Temples 1: a winding road leading up to the cable car base. There are several temples (some quite large) on this road, offering a remarkably varied experience for anyone interested in Buddhist history.
2) Temples 2—The Ascent: These are the smaller, being set in the hillside and finally the very face of the cliff, the eponymous Dragon Gate that is the focal point of most visits.
3) The Summit—Battle with Kefka: pardon the Final Fantasy reference; this is where the cable car ends, but a new trail begins which can take you up to the very top of the hill to a gorgeous view of the lake and city.
Within half a day you can easily do two of these. My first trip, I did 1 and 2, second I did 2 and 3. But if you expect to actually see all of the temples in part 1, expect to spend a good eight hours.
The line to ride the cable car is nuts. Skip it and take the shuttle to the first temple and walk all of part 2 up to part 3. Then, you can choose to either head to the pinnacle, or cable car back down to the beginning of part 2 and walk back down part 1.
In the end, it’s up to you what sort of experience you want to have. Temples and mountain temples, mountain temples and hike to pinnacle, or all three. But don’t expect to pull off all three within half a day.
You can think of the park as being broken into three parts:
1) Temples 1: a winding road leading up to the cable car base. There are several temples (some quite large) on this road, offering a remarkably varied experience for anyone interested in Buddhist history.
2) Temples 2—The Ascent: These are the smaller, being set in the hillside and finally the very face of the cliff, the eponymous Dragon Gate that is the focal point of most visits.
3) The Summit—Battle with Kefka: pardon the Final Fantasy reference; this is where the cable car ends, but a new trail begins which can take you up to the very top of the hill to a gorgeous view of the lake and city.
Within half a day you can easily do two of these. My first trip, I did 1 and 2, second I did 2 and 3. But if you expect to actually see all of the temples in part 1, expect to spend a good eight hours.
The line to ride the cable car is nuts. Skip it and take the shuttle to the first temple and walk all of part 2 up to part 3. Then, you can choose to either head to the pinnacle, or cable car back down to the beginning of part 2 and walk back down part 1.
In the end, it’s up to you what sort of experience you want to have. Temples and mountain temples, mountain temples and hike to pinnacle, or all three. But don’t expect to pull off all three within half a day.
Written 27 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelling321
Ningbo, Zhejiang65 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Great place. Took a taxi, and then they have you purchase tickets for the the cable car or bus. We took a bus to the first section, then where everyone else went on the cable car we preferred to walk up and then back down. It will take half a day if you take transport, slightly more if you decide to walk instead. There are many shops and rest spots if you decide to eat there. When we went there were many tour groups, but it's normal for a tourist spot. As a note, to go to Dragon Gate you have to go down narrow passages within the rock and on the edge of the mountain- it is perfectly safe and there is a fantastic view of Dianchi Lake, but if you are scared of/uncomfortable in small spaces, you can skip Dragon Gate and explore other scenic spots instead. Highly recommend!
Written 28 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CYKL
Germany296 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
Took a guided day trip from Kunming city center. Arrived by coach, followed by a tram (like thosein zoos), and then a 2-person chairlift, and then hiked down along the side of the mountain. Very narrow but felt safe. Very good views. Lots of photo spots and they have their staff taking photos of you and you can buy them for 20 chinese yuan.
Written 17 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christian M
Copenhagen, Denmark6,176 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
What do you do in Kunming once you've already seen the Yunnan Stone Forest?
Well, you could take Metro Line 3 to Western Hill and enjoy a few good hours of nature and culture, views and insights.
If you also want some exercise (about 10,000 steps), do as we did:
At the ticket office, buy 1 entrance ticket + 1 one-way "green car" bus ticket (you can also buy a ticket for the cable car, but that defeats the purpose of exercise).
The green car bus takes you 4 km up to the cable car station, but instead of taking the cable car, continue on foot along the paved road.
When you see the sign for Longmen Grottoes, follow the steep stairs—passing several temples—to reach the Dragon Gate viewpoint and then the Longmen Grottoes. It's a bit strenuous, but even older people manage it.
Afterward, walk back the same way you came—without taking the bus. The last 4 km, which you rode on the bus, you can now walk downhill at a comfortable pace.
In the start and finish area, there are plenty of stalls where you can buy food and drinks.
Well, you could take Metro Line 3 to Western Hill and enjoy a few good hours of nature and culture, views and insights.
If you also want some exercise (about 10,000 steps), do as we did:
At the ticket office, buy 1 entrance ticket + 1 one-way "green car" bus ticket (you can also buy a ticket for the cable car, but that defeats the purpose of exercise).
The green car bus takes you 4 km up to the cable car station, but instead of taking the cable car, continue on foot along the paved road.
When you see the sign for Longmen Grottoes, follow the steep stairs—passing several temples—to reach the Dragon Gate viewpoint and then the Longmen Grottoes. It's a bit strenuous, but even older people manage it.
Afterward, walk back the same way you came—without taking the bus. The last 4 km, which you rode on the bus, you can now walk downhill at a comfortable pace.
In the start and finish area, there are plenty of stalls where you can buy food and drinks.
Written 24 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HKDave
Hong Kong, China339 contributions
Dec 2010
Our visit to the West Hills was the best day we had in Kunming. We took two local buses (1RMB each per person) from near Cloudland YH to the base of the hills and we then hired a minibus (30RMB for 7 people) from the bus stop to get us to the ropeway station. We then took the ropeway to the top of the hill and walked up to the summit for fantastic views over Kunming and the lake (approximately 40RMB each, children under 1.4m half price). The views from the ropeway were also very good and there is a photo opportunity near to the top of the ropeway. There are hawkers selling water, drinks, noodles, biscuits, etc at numerous points along the paths in the hills but none of them were pushy. There are also plenty of public toilets at the various points along the road, some in better states of cleanliness than others (0.3RMB to 0.5RMB per person). We didn’t go to Dragon Gate (40RMB per person) but instead headed up to the pagoda at the top of the hill. This gave fantastic panoramic views over Kunming and the lake to the mountains and hills surrounding the city. We then walked back down through winding paths through the trees and roads to the bus stop (about 6km – 2.5 hours).
If you like hiking and/or countryside rather than the city I would recommend making time in your itinerary for a visit to West Hills. There are also plenty of opportunities to visit various temples on the hill although we didn't stop at any.
If you like hiking and/or countryside rather than the city I would recommend making time in your itinerary for a visit to West Hills. There are also plenty of opportunities to visit various temples on the hill although we didn't stop at any.
Written 13 January 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
waffler_au
Melbourne, Australia134 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
it's possible to see all three attractions in one day with time to spare using puvlic transport/foot.
being able to speak Chinese helps a lot with figuring out public transport maps which are available from most hotels, you can also use the baidu.com map function which is very useful for figuring which bus line to catch.
Take any bus which goes to the Ethnic Minority Village and you can walk 10-15mins down the road from there to get to Dianchi Lake. You can take a photo with Xishan in the background and the rock which says Dianchi, just fight the other tourists hanging around there, the concept of queueing isn't real popular here.
then just follow the lake around towards the mountain. There are a few options for getting across the lake. Cable car, bus or foot. There isn't actually any footpath, so you have to be careful walking across. Just follow the locals.
once you cross to the other side you will see the other cable car station. You can either take the cable car up Xishan or do the thousand step walk. The walk is kinda unmarked. Walk through that carpark which turns into a mini park next to the cable car station until you see the flight of steps heading up on your right. Go up, cross the highway depending where you exit this park you may need to keep walking uphill for 30 seconds along the highway) you'll see another set of steps to your right with a highway bridge overhead. That's the start of the path leading to Dragon Gate/Xishan.
Dragon Gate is worth the entrance fee, there's quite a lot to see inside as you climb uphill, also good view of lake and Kunming from the top. You can then either walk through the mini stone forest to get to Xishan or take a cable car transfer. Xishan is nice to walk but all the attractions there have separate entrance fees, mostly temples, if you haven't already seen enough temples on the rest of your Chinese trip.
follow the trail downhill (again, no footpath, just be careful walking on the road, but all the locals do it and its even signposted for walking so don't worry.) Alternatively, there is a bus shuttle you can pay for. At the end there is a public bus which can take you back to the Minority Village.
being able to speak Chinese helps a lot with figuring out public transport maps which are available from most hotels, you can also use the baidu.com map function which is very useful for figuring which bus line to catch.
Take any bus which goes to the Ethnic Minority Village and you can walk 10-15mins down the road from there to get to Dianchi Lake. You can take a photo with Xishan in the background and the rock which says Dianchi, just fight the other tourists hanging around there, the concept of queueing isn't real popular here.
then just follow the lake around towards the mountain. There are a few options for getting across the lake. Cable car, bus or foot. There isn't actually any footpath, so you have to be careful walking across. Just follow the locals.
once you cross to the other side you will see the other cable car station. You can either take the cable car up Xishan or do the thousand step walk. The walk is kinda unmarked. Walk through that carpark which turns into a mini park next to the cable car station until you see the flight of steps heading up on your right. Go up, cross the highway depending where you exit this park you may need to keep walking uphill for 30 seconds along the highway) you'll see another set of steps to your right with a highway bridge overhead. That's the start of the path leading to Dragon Gate/Xishan.
Dragon Gate is worth the entrance fee, there's quite a lot to see inside as you climb uphill, also good view of lake and Kunming from the top. You can then either walk through the mini stone forest to get to Xishan or take a cable car transfer. Xishan is nice to walk but all the attractions there have separate entrance fees, mostly temples, if you haven't already seen enough temples on the rest of your Chinese trip.
follow the trail downhill (again, no footpath, just be careful walking on the road, but all the locals do it and its even signposted for walking so don't worry.) Alternatively, there is a bus shuttle you can pay for. At the end there is a public bus which can take you back to the Minority Village.
Written 10 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mokkey8
Hong Kong, China466 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
As a city, there's not much to see or do. In addition, there's a lot of construction going on so there's constant noise and the air quality is not great.
That being said, Xishan Forest, Haigeng Park and the trip up to the Dragon Gate is worth a visit, providing a good view of the city as well as providing some clean air to your lungs.
I stayed close to Kunming Railway Station so took Bus #44 to Haigeng Park (went early so the park was empty). Took a free van from the park to the other side where you purchase tickets across Dianchi Lake (RMB 40 single / RMB 70 return trip).
This takes you up to Xishan Forest where you get off and have a choice of walking right to visit some temples (I didn't as I was short of time) or turn left where you purchase tickets to enter the 'forest' and up to the Dragon's Gate. There are various tickets but RMB 100 covers entrance and all electric carts, forest cable car (different from the one across the lake) and a coach back to town.
Overall, a bit disappointing as I was expecting this to be more of an experience - however, typical of Chinese attractions where it's more of a money-spinner. The Dragon's Gate is literally a stone frame with a small shrine. Not amazing but still nice views.
Tips:
- Hindsight, I would not have taken the cable car across Dianchi Lake. There are other ways of getting to Xishan Forest and I think I trek up would have been more fun and enjoyable
- For those physically less abled, the cable car across the lake and up to Xishan Forest is probably the easiest way though buy a single ticket as it will allow more flexibility if you decide to come down another way
- I would have purchased the RMB 100 'package' ticket as it covered everything and worked out cheaper overall, especially if you want to come back into town by coach rather than cable car then taxi/bus
That being said, Xishan Forest, Haigeng Park and the trip up to the Dragon Gate is worth a visit, providing a good view of the city as well as providing some clean air to your lungs.
I stayed close to Kunming Railway Station so took Bus #44 to Haigeng Park (went early so the park was empty). Took a free van from the park to the other side where you purchase tickets across Dianchi Lake (RMB 40 single / RMB 70 return trip).
This takes you up to Xishan Forest where you get off and have a choice of walking right to visit some temples (I didn't as I was short of time) or turn left where you purchase tickets to enter the 'forest' and up to the Dragon's Gate. There are various tickets but RMB 100 covers entrance and all electric carts, forest cable car (different from the one across the lake) and a coach back to town.
Overall, a bit disappointing as I was expecting this to be more of an experience - however, typical of Chinese attractions where it's more of a money-spinner. The Dragon's Gate is literally a stone frame with a small shrine. Not amazing but still nice views.
Tips:
- Hindsight, I would not have taken the cable car across Dianchi Lake. There are other ways of getting to Xishan Forest and I think I trek up would have been more fun and enjoyable
- For those physically less abled, the cable car across the lake and up to Xishan Forest is probably the easiest way though buy a single ticket as it will allow more flexibility if you decide to come down another way
- I would have purchased the RMB 100 'package' ticket as it covered everything and worked out cheaper overall, especially if you want to come back into town by coach rather than cable car then taxi/bus
Written 9 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DereckDC
Washington DC, DC92 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
This park was definitely a highlight for me. I took line 3 (Pink) of the metro to the Western Hills station, which is at the end of the line. From the city center it cost ¥4. When you exit the station follow the people and you will see the business area right outside the north gate. You’ll be swarmed by local tour guides and drivers right when you exit the station. I would recommend passing on them and heading to the official park staff. You need tickets to enter the Longmen grottos (dragon gate), ski lift, bus transport. I only bought tickets for the ski lift and for the grottos (¥55) since I wanted to walk and get some exercise. If you are rushed for time I would recommend paying the ¥90 per person for all the tickets. This will get you transportation so you don’t have to walk to the grottos. The walk from the north gate to the entrance of the grottos was apparently about 8km it took me around 1-1.5 hours (I’m a fast walker). There are temples along the way (which the bus will stop at). All in all, if you have the time, the energy and you like to walk, I would recommend walking to the grottos from the north gate. It was pleasant and will save you some money.
Written 8 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laowai_Phil
Hong Kong, China38 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
Visited April 1. I visited Xishan by Subway Line 3 which was very convenient. Ride it to the very last stop. As you disembark, just follow the local Chinese, there's no chance to get lost! Just 200m from the subway station there is an eating street where you could stop for food now or on the way back down if hungry. Lots of options. The first 2/3 of the way up the mountain (before the ticket entrance) from the Subway station is basically a road. I visited on a Sunday so probably more people than a weekday. Every 1 minute or so a coach would scream past ferrying people between the subway station and the ticket entrance. They go fast so be careful.. When the buses weren't flying past it was quite peaceful and nice to walk this route, though it will add a fair bit of time to the trip (maybe 1.5h?). I elected to take the 'ancient track' between Huating and Taihua as suggested on a below comment. Fully endorse that! Nice to get away from the bigger crowds and...buses! Just past Taihua temple is the ticket entrance (40元 each). I elected to continue walking up to Dragon's Gate, though you could also take an electric car (10元 I think）or cablecar (25元) each way between the ticket entrance and Dragon's Gate. From Dragon's gate I felt I had exercised enough and spent enough time (roughly 3 hours I guess) so took the cablecar down to the ticket entrance and from there the bus back down to the subway station. Very convenient and quick. The cablecar back down had a much better view than going up, as you get a great view over the nearby lake and Kunming city in the background. Overall a really great half-day trip. Spent just under 90元 including the subway fare. Depending on your fitness and how long you want the day to be, you can choose which parts to walk versus pay a little more for transport, so it's very flexible.
Written 1 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi everyone! I keep seeing there's an option to stay overnight in West Hill and watch the sunrise in the morning, but I find no information on how to book accommodation. I think it's the Taishan Mountain Villa? Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction? Thanks!
Written 14 July 2019
What are the starting points and ending pints of cable car and chairlift in the Park? I heard there is also a train in it? So confusing! Which one is necessary?
Written 6 August 2015
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