Caoxi Temple, Buddhist temple in Anning, Yunnan, China
Caoxi Temple sits at the base of Longshan Mountain, about 1 kilometer west of Anning's hot spring, with a pearl spring to the south and sacred water features to the north. The complex includes multiple buildings with traditional architecture nestled into the natural mountainside.
The temple was founded during the Dali Kingdom period of the Song Dynasty, marking an important center of Buddhist faith in the region. It received national protection status as a Major Historical and Cultural Site in 2006.
The temple houses 18 clay sculptures of Buddhist Arhats alongside traditional stone lions and intricate carvings representing sacred figures from the Huayan school inside its main hall. These artworks reflect the religious and artistic traditions that have been maintained here for centuries.
The site is accessible to visitors on most days and can be reached from Kunming by taking a bus to Anning followed by local transport to the temple. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the complex sits on a mountainside with multiple staircases.
The grounds contain an old plum tree that has grown for hundreds of years and is part of the spiritual history of this place. According to local belief, a flowering tree on the grounds displays subtle seasonal changes that deserve the attention of observant visitors.
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