Yuantong
Temple (Yuantong Si) is the grandest and
most active temple in Kunming with a history
of more than 1200 years. Located on the
south side of Yuantong Hill, it is a destination
of pilgrimage for pilgrims worldwide. In
1956, the temple held a tooth of the Buddha
here for a short time. The ceremonies at
which the tooth relic where received and
sent off were important events in the history
of Yuantong Si. The architecture of the
temple buildings is rather typical, but
the halls of the temple are visited in order
on a declining slope, not on an ascending
slope as is typical in Chinese Buddhist
temples. In the temple are numerous scenic
spots, and a pool reserved for setting captive
fish free! (Fangshengchi). Yuantong Temple
is one of the most important sites in the
region for Buddhist ceremonies. On the 1st
and 15th of each lunar month, people gather
here to take part in all kinds of Buddhist
services. There is also a good vegetarian
restaurant on the premises serving lunch
and dinner.