City of Eternal Spring - West Hill Dragon Gate

4th Day - There's a saying that, if you have not visit the West Hill Dragon Gate, you've never visited Kunming. So this place is a must visit or we've just been sold, LOL
At West Hill Dragon Gate, as we enters, soothing lotus pond greeted usCaught sight of these cute pandas, still under going construction
It boast of beautiful ancient garden, as if time had stood still from yesteryear's
It used to be a residential of some high ranking officer of the Emperor who felt intimated by him and ordered him killed. Today, it has become a place where the elderly people come to rest and relax or simply engaging all form of activities such as dancing, singing and music. Saw an elderly lady knitting by the lotus pond, oblivious of her surroundings.

Chinese calligraphy in 5 minutes complete with birds and sun and flowers and bamboo, all the auspicious significant to go with the words

Another 30mins bus ride from here, we arrived at the western suburbs of Kunming where lies Western Hills. Also known as 'Sleeping Beauty Hills'. For it was once known that the highlands when viewed together looked like a sleeping lady facing upward with her hair trailling into the water. Today, due to developments, the sleeping lady is no longer visible.  More steps awaiting us. The weather has been gloomy due to the early drizzle which is a good thing as  the sun was among clouds giving us shade. Along the way up, we stop for the Symbolic touch on the auspicious structure or statue

No : 1
Long Guat, the God of Prosperity : Touch the belt that carries gold in its pouch with both hands and place it into the tiger's mouth.

No: 2 - The tortoise with a snake coiled around it : sorry can't locate this picture...

Touch the tortoise for longevity and the snake for good health....or was it the other way round ??!!!

No: 3 The Phoenix's pouch - throw a coin into its pouch for luck, believed me its not easy to throw the coin in 

No : 4 - Filial Calf - it was said that in ancient time, a calf saves its mother's life from being slaughtered thus earning its name Filial Calf. Touching the mother cow on its head to receive compassion for being a mother.The trail overlooking the lake is built on a mountain cliff, dug through by some monks with areas that are so narrow to fit one person only

From the viewing pavilion overlooking the lake above and below the far end is the final destination

The Dragon Gate, the main highlight of today's itinerary. The Dragon Gate is dedicated to The Three Taoist deities. The tunnels was hacked by the Taoist monks in the late 1700s.
Above the temple above has these deities in a caved hole. One wonders how it was put up

another view of the lake below

The Gate - Touch the pearl in the centre of the gate is a must for everyone who made it to the top of the hill. The shrine is popular especially for mothers who would come seeking blessings for their children's success in education .This evening on our returned trip, we were brought to a place for dinner and here stood majestically, the North and South pagoda. This ends our trip for the day.

This pagoda is more than 1,200 years old
A newer one was built directly opposite the first one for some reasons, 'Siow Tai' did explained but I just could not digest her explanation in my brain. Must be due to hunger!! I have exhausted all my energy after three days or four days of scalling hundreds of steps and all the long distance walk. LOL

Thank you for your visit, hope you enjoyed this journey until the last installment, but before that some stitching news.