Huating Temple (Chinese: 華亭寺) is a Buddhist temple located in Xishan (西山) District of Kunming (昆明) City, Yunnan (雲南) Province, China. First established in 1320, Huating Temple is the largest temple in Yunnan province.
There is a big pond in the middle of the courtyard, next to the pond stands a huge ginkgo tree, forming a very beautiful autumn picture.
The initial name of the temple was Yuanjue Temple (圓覺寺), then Emperor Yingzong (英宗) of the Ming (明) Dynasty (1368–1644) renamed it as the current name in 1441.
There are many stone carvings depicting the images of lions and elephants, typical Yunnan style.
The 500 Arhats is the most famous attraction in Huating Temple, which is hidden on the side of Hall of Great Strength (大雄寶殿), Choumeizai almost miss it.
In 1920, Military Governor of Yunnan Tang Jiyao (唐繼堯) invited a monk named Hsu Yun (虛雲) to disseminate Buddhism and supervise the reconstruction of Huating Temple.
In Buddhism, an arhat (Sanskrit: अर्हत्) is one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved nirvana.
Not too far from the temple is a memorial hall for Hsu Yun, it is a modern structure but quite beautiful inside.
