Located at the west suburb, 15 kilometers from Kunming City, the West Hill extends a distance of more than 40 kilometers at an altitude of between 1900 meters to 2350 meters above sea level. It looks like a beautiful lady laying beside Dianchi Lake with her face upward and her hair trailing into water. That is why it got another name 'Sleeping Beauty Hills'.
Legend goes that in remote time, a pretty princess escaped from the palace to seek freedom and love. The girl later met her prince and they got married soon. Unfortunately, their marriage encountered the king's strong opposition, who later killed her husband. The princess was so sorrow that she cried days and nights and tears fell from her face and formed the Dianchi Lake. The girl's body formed the West Hill.
The West Hill enjoys a great fame for its beautiful and unique natural scenery since ancient time. The major sites of the West Hill include Dragon Gate (also called Longmen) with a collection of Taoist caves and sculptures; Huating Temple (an ancient Buddhist temple) Taihua Temple, Sanqing Pavilion, and the Graveyard of Nie Er (a famous Chinese composer).
Dragon Gate is the largest and the most beautiful Taoist grottoes in Yunnan Province. The gate and passageway were carved out of the steep cliffs, featuring danger, tranquility and uniqueness. It was built in the Qing Dynasty more than 200 years ago, with a construction of 72 years. The buildings were constructed by the skillful craftsmen living at the foot of the West Hill.