Jinping Mountain and Great Maitreya Buddha in Mile City, Honghe

Jinping Mountain Scenic Area (锦屏山风景区) is located 10 kilometers north of Mile City (弥勒市), Yunnan Province (云南省). Named for its mountain shaped like the Maitreya Buddha (弥勒佛), the park features a unique cultural landscape integrating city name, mountain shape, temple name, and Buddha statue. The core attraction, Mile Temple (弥勒寺), was originally built in the Song Dynasty, reconstructed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and in 1999 an open-air Maitreya Buddha statue, 19.99 meters tall, was completed.

The park also preserves natural features including millennium-old terraced fields, century-old tree clusters, and flowing springs. The 1,999-step climbing path and the Five Maitreya Statues (弥勒五相造像) together make it a renowned Buddhist site in southeastern Yunnan.

• Admission: 30 RMB (includes Mile Temple + Houhai)
• Opening Hours: 08:30–17:40
• Recommended Visit Duration: 2 hours
• Main Attractions: Maitreya Buddha (弥勒大佛), Colorful Cloud Pool (五彩云池)
• Discounts: Half-price for seniors aged 60–70

Geographic Features

The scenic area lies in the northwest of Mile City (弥勒市), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州). Coordinates are 24°26′N, 103°25′E. The mountain reaches a maximum elevation of 1,784 meters, covering approximately 3.2 square kilometers. Its overall contour resembles a seated Buddha, forming a spatial pattern of “temple within Buddha, Buddha within temple” with the Mile Temple (弥勒寺) complex at the foot of the mountain.

Core Attractions

Mile Temple Complex (弥勒寺建筑群)

The main buildings include four courtyards: Dafuo Courtyard (大佛院), Dayun Courtyard (大运院), Daxiong Courtyard (大雄院), and Dazhi Courtyard (大智院). Five types of Maitreya statues are enshrined: Qiangba Statue (强巴相, Future Buddha), Tianguan Statue (天冠相, Bodhisattva), Siwei Statue (思维相), Xianguang Statue (仙光相), and Budai Statue (布袋相). The Budai Maitreya bronze statue, completed in 1999, stands 1,999 cm tall, with an inscription by Nan Huaijin, making it the world’s largest open-air Laughing Buddha statue.

Natural and Cultural Features

• 1,999 Steps: Paved with bluestone, vertical elevation difference of 168 meters, flanked by ancient terraced fields.
• Colorful Cloud Pool (五彩云池): A natural lake atop the mountain surrounded by characteristic vegetation, reflecting the Maitreya Buddha.
• Buddhist Cultural Corridor: Stone carvings along the climbing path feature excerpts from Buddhist scriptures.

History

In 1626 (Tianqi 6th year, Ming Dynasty), monk Ruyu (如玉) founded the temple, naming it after the mountain’s resemblance to a Maitreya Buddha seated posture. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the temple underwent large-scale renovations forming a three-courtyard layout. In 1998, expansion added the Maitreya Buddha statue, bell and drum towers, and other structures, with a consecration ceremony in 1999. In 2023, the park completed a smart system upgrade, achieving full electronic ticketing coverage.

Tourism Services

Suggested Routes

• Cultural Axis: Scenic Entrance → Buddha Hand Sculpture → Mile Temple (弥勒寺) → Buddha Platform → Colorful Cloud Pool (五彩云池), ~2.5 km
• Ecological Axis: Sightseeing Car Transfer Station → Houhai Wetland → Ancient Tree Viewpoint → Qingquan Tea House, circular path 1.8 km

Featured Activities

• Temple Fair (9th day of Lunar New Year): Blessing ceremony and folk performances, admission 5 RMB
• New Year’s Eve Blessing: Early closing at 16:00 (effective from 2025)
• Buddhist Experience: Zen courses and vegetarian meals on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month

Transportation

• Public Transit: Mile Bus No. 12 to Jinping Mountain Station, every 30 minutes (first 07:50, last 18:20)
• Self-Drive: Via G326 National Road, turn onto Jinping Road, 7.4 km to the park; 500 eco-parking spaces available
• Group Services: Guided tours recommended for groups; free guides for medical staff groups of 10 or more