On the west shore of Dianchi Lake, also called “Sleeping Beauty Mountain,” the Western Hills are a famous Kunming scenic area. Wooded slopes shelter Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries, with the Longmen Grottoes the best known.
Longmen was carved in the Qing dynasty, with walkways and stone inscriptions built along the cliffs. Climbing to the top gives open views over the broad Dianchi Lake and the city below, making it a fine place for hiking and sightseeing; you can ride a cable car from the foot or walk up.
