The Western Hills (Xi Shan) are a range of mountains spread across a 40 km-long wedge of parkland on the western side of Dian Lake (Dian Chi). They are also known as the Green Peacock Mountains or the Sleeping Beauty Hills, a reference to their undulating contours, thought to resemble a reclining woman with tresses of hair flowing into the sea. Dian Lake sits in a graben, a structural basin created by subsidence of the earth between 2 faults. The fault on the western side of the lake created a 4 km-long escarpment of high-angle limestone. The limestone formed as massive, consistent layers with 100 to 300 m-tall cliffs exposed high above the lake. Carved into the northern end of this escarpment is Dragon Gate (Long Men), a group of shrines, tunnels, and stairways that take tourists to an airy lookout halfway up the escarpment. Smaller cliffs are also exposed in various locations on the lower slopes near the shore of Dian Lake.
　　There are 2 main climbing areas developed in the Western Hills so far. The biggest is the Western Hills 　
Escarpment itself, which lies about 200 m in elevation above Lake Dian. The second, much smaller area consists of two crags (so far) close to the lakeshore near Dragon Gate Village (Long Men Cun).
　　There are many bouldering traverses beneath roofs at the north end of the Western Hills Escarpment. All are protected from rain and are a good way to finish the day when chased off the cliff early by a monsoonal downpour.

　　Access to Escarpment climbing is the same as that taken by tourists to Dragon Gate, which lies about 15 km southwest of downtown Kunming. The most convenient mode of transport is by minibus from the Liang Jia He bus stop, across the street from the Number 5 Bus Terminal on West Renmin Road. Mid-sized buses leave continuously from Liang Jia He starting at about 9:00 AM and go all the way to the end of the road for 5-6 yuan (do not get off at the Gao Qiao station at the entrance to Western Hills Park; go all the way to Long Men). From the end of the road, walk the 1.5 km road or ride the sightseeing cars (3 yuan) to the entrance gate to Dragon Gate. The Western Hills and the temples around Dragon Gate are big tourist attractions. Consult any guidebook or hotel staff for an explanation of the best way to get there.
　　Upon reaching the entrance gate to Dragon Gate, you are now at the northern end of the Escarpment. The access trail for climbers skirts the base of the cliffs. About 50 m before the entrance gate, on the east (lake) side of the road, is a stone stairway that goes all the way down to Dian Lake at Dragon Gate Village. There is a large sign carved in stone near the top of the stairs indicating the "1000 Steps" to the village. Descend these stairs a short distance, for 3 levels, as they head in a southerly direction. After the third level the stairs abruptly switchback and turn north. At this switchback there is a cement wall with a warning sign painted on it. Go around the wall to the left and continue south on a trail along the base of the escarpment to the climbing.
　　WARNING: Much of the approach between the stone stairway and the Giant Book area is below the tourist trails on the ledges to Dragon Gate. As you can see from the garbage along the trail, a considerable amount of trash is pitched off. Don't linger along this part of the approach and keep an eye skyward. Helmets are a wise consideration.
　　The last busses returning to Kunming from Dragon Gate leave around 6:00 PM, sometimes later if it's a busy weekend or holiday. If you're late, or have the time, descend the 1000 steps to Dragon Gate Village (about 3 km) and catch one of the numerous buses back to Kunming for 3 or 4 yuan. Be sure to take the Hai Kou buses, which drop you back at Liang Jia He on West Renmin Road.

ROUTES