On the Mingfeng Mountain (鸣凤山 ), in the northern outskirts of Kunming, the Golden Temple Park or Jindian Park was the perfect spot to escape the busy city. We boarded the 1 yuan public bus. The traffic in Kunming is really (really) problematic. The 7 kilometres ride to the park entrance took about an hour. After paying the 30 yuan admission, we walk up through a series of decorated Heavenly Gates which lead to the Kunming Golden Temple.
Made of 250 tons of bronze, originally supposed to be used to mint coins, the supposedly largest architecture of its kind in China was standing within a fort-like building. The beam, windows, curtains, bucket arches and the Taoist statues within were all made of bronze. The original temple was painted with gold powder and therefore was named the golden temple. Over time, the old temple's colour changed to a darker russet-brown. It has its glitter, but the temple remains an elegant and remarkable monument and the most active Taoism shrine in the city.
On ahead, we explored the large Bell Tower which houses a giant copper bell. We climbed up to see back over the Kunming metropolis.
We kept venturing into the paths around the temple and the various gardens of the Golden Temple park and enjoyed numerous interesting natural sights. A small water garden with plenty of koi fishes waited to be feed. So we stuffed them with biscuits!
The park was peaceful and appreciated by the elderly. We met locals playing cards or mahjong (a tile-based game) in the shade of the trees.
Since last night, we were still looking for the Over the Bridge Rice Noodles. And still no luck. The famous Kunming dish was not easily available. We end up in a tiny restaurant and ordered some spicy beef and chicken noodles. It tasted delicious and only cost 27 Yuan (3 pounds). So far, our cheapest meal ever in China.
With a full stomach, we prepared for another night in a sleeper train. This time to Lijiang. We filled up our backpacks. We stocked up on water, snacks, and our own toilet paper (difficult to imagine that the first official toilet paper was introduced in China in 1391). The eye mask and earplugs were easy to reach. We were ready!
As we passed the security check, the security scan flagged our Swiss Army Knife. With the terrorist attack which occurred at the Kunming Railway Station in 2014, the security guard the guard wouldn't let it through. He confiscated our utility knife and dropped it in a metal box. That's was not the best way to end up your day! Luckily, we still have 2 they haven't found so far...