Yufeng Temple

Updated June 4, 2026

Yufeng Temple is a well-regarded tourist attraction located in Baoshan, China. With a rating of 4.1 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.

Location

You can find Yufeng Temple at China, Yunnan, Lijiang, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, 玉湖段白沙乡 邮政编码: 674101.

Visiting Yufeng Temple

Located in Baoshan, China, Yufeng Temple is a tourist attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.

Planning Your Visit

The tourist attraction is located at China, Yunnan, Lijiang, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, 玉湖段白沙乡 邮政编码: 674101. GPS coordinates: 26.991924, 100.195261. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.

Location

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Yufeng Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist lamasery about 13 kilometers north of Lijiang in Yunnan Province. It’s most famous for a 500-year-old camellia tree that bursts into 20,000 blooms every spring.

The temple sits at the southern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. You’ll notice the unusual mix of Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, and Naxi Dongba religion in its architecture—honestly, it’s not something you see every day.

If you love botanical wonders, unique architecture, or places where cultures collide in fascinating ways, this is your spot.

Built in 1756 during the Qing Dynasty, Yufeng Temple once had nine courtyards. Now, just the gate tower, main hall, and two courtyards remain.

That famous camellia tree is even older than the temple. It blooms for over 100 days from late spring through early summer.

Monks have trained the tree’s branches into a 56-square-meter canopy. Two camellia varieties are entwined: big pink blooms with nine pistils and smaller single-pistil white flowers.

You can get there by taking bus 11 from Zhongyi Market to Xiangshanjie, then switching to bus 6. The entrance fee is 25 CNY, or you can grab a combo ticket for 230 CNY if you’re planning to see other Jade Dragon Snow Mountain attractions.

Most folks spend about an hour wandering the grounds. If you’re all about the camellia, aim for April to July.

Key Takeaways

• Yufeng Temple is home to a 500-year-old camellia tree that puts out around 20,000 flowers each year, blooming in batches from late spring to early summer.

• The temple’s architecture is a rare blend of Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, and Naxi culture, dating back to 1756.

• You can visit any time of year for 25 CNY; it’s about 13 kilometers north of Lijiang Old Town, and getting there by bus is pretty straightforward.

Key Details and Quick Facts

Yufeng Temple is right at the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, northwest of Lijiang Old Town. Built during Emperor Qianlong’s reign, it started with nine courtyards, but only a few sections survived the centuries.

Basic Information

What Makes It Notable

The temple’s ancient camellia tree is a real showstopper. Every year, it blooms for more than 100 days, covering 56 square meters with two types of flowers—large pink ones with nine pistils and smaller single-pistil white blooms.

Getting There

Hop on bus 11 from Zhongyi Market to Xiangshanjie, then transfer to bus 6. Get off at Yufengsi Station.

The temple itself is a blend of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, and Naxi Dongba Religion. The best time to see those camellia blooms? Late spring and early summer, hands down.

What to Expect During Your Visit

You’ll find a small monastery with a gate tower, main hall, and two courtyards. The place is tucked at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 13 kilometers from Lijiang Old Town.

Opening hours are 7:20 AM to 7:00 PM (April–October) and 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM (November–March). An hour is usually enough to see everything, unless you linger.

The Ten Thousand Flower Camellia Tree is the star of the show. Planted during the Ming Dynasty, it’s over 500 years old.

Two camellia varieties have merged into one massive canopy, trained over decades by monks. You’ll see pink flowers with nine pistils and white single-pistil blooms growing side by side.

The flowering period stretches from March through June, with the most impressive display in late spring.

There’s also a rare Yunnan Michaela Figo tree on the grounds, plus nice views of forest and meadow. Entrance is 25 CNY for the temple, or 230 CNY for a combo ticket that covers Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and more.

The temple is still an active monastery, so you’ll see monks going about their routines.

Plan Your Visit

Yufeng Temple is 13 kilometers north of Lijiang Old Town, right at the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It’s open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and you can pay the 25-30 yuan entrance in cash or with WeChat Pay and Alipay.

March to June is prime time for the camellia bloom—sometimes as many as 30,000 flowers at once.

Best Time to Go

If you’re coming for the camellia, March through June is the window. This ancient tree, grafted centuries ago, gets the nickname “Ten Thousand Flower Tea” for good reason.

Try to arrive early on a weekday to dodge the crowds. The temple opens at 7:30 AM; first thing in the morning gives you cooler air and softer light for photos.

Spring and autumn are pleasant, but honestly, the climate’s mild enough that visits are doable all year.

Getting There

Public bus No. 7 heads in the right direction, but you’ll have to walk a bit from the stop. Taxis and private cars can get you there from Lijiang Old Town in about 20 minutes, dropping you at the gate.

If you’re up for it, renting a bike from the Old Town is possible, but be ready for some hills. Most people just grab a taxi or join a tour that bundles Yufeng Temple with Black Dragon Pool or Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Insider Tips

Give yourself 1–2 hours if you want to wander the courtyards, main halls, and camellia tree without feeling rushed. The layout is pretty classic: gatehouse, main hall, two tiger shrines, all surrounded by pine and cypress.

Bring your own water and snacks—there’s not much on offer inside except basic restrooms and a couple of small vendors near the entrance.

The architecture is a cool mashup of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, and Naxi Dongba. It’s a relic of Qing Dynasty culture mixing.

Look for the memorial arch crafted from Michelia floribunda, a wood with a subtle scent. Some paths are uneven and there are stairs, so wear shoes you can walk in.

Mobile payments work, but it’s smart to carry a bit of cash for small stuff.

Nearby Attractions and More Ways to Explore China

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is less than 5 kilometers from Yufeng Temple. You can take a cable car up to 4,506 meters for glacier views and alpine meadows.

Baisha Village is about 8 kilometers south and has Ming Dynasty murals that blend Buddhist, Taoist, and Naxi art. Lijiang Old Town, 13 kilometers away, is full of UNESCO-listed architecture and cobblestone streets.

Popular nearby sites include:

• Jade Water Village – 6 kilometers east, where you can check out Dongba culture and natural springs.
• Dongba Valley – A cultural park with Naxi ceremonies and performances.
• White Water River – At the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with boat rides.
• Tiger Leaping Gorge – 60 kilometers north, one of China’s deepest river canyons.

The combo ticket for 230 CNY covers Yufeng Temple and a bunch of other sites—worth it if you’re planning to see more than just the temple.

Lijiang makes a great base for exploring northwest Yunnan. From here, you can reach Shangri-La (180 kilometers) for Tibetan monasteries, or Dali (140 kilometers) for Bai culture and Erhai Lake.

Bus no. 11 from Zhongyi Market heads toward these mountain attractions. The long-distance bus station in Lijiang connects you to the rest of Yunnan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yufeng Temple is 13 kilometers north of Lijiang at about 3,000 meters elevation. People usually have a few practical questions before heading up.

What is the easiest way to reach the temple from Lijiang Old Town, and are there scenic stops worth adding en route?

A taxi from Lijiang Old Town takes around 30 minutes and costs 40–50 RMB one way. It’ll drop you at the entrance, where you’ll walk uphill to the gates.

Public bus number 6 goes directly to Yufeng Temple, but finding the departure spot in Lijiang is tricky, even with translation apps. If you hire a driver for half a day, you can stop at Baisha Ancient Town to see temple murals before heading up the mountain.

The road climbs through pine forests with occasional views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain’s southern face. Most people combine Yufeng with Baisha rather than making it the only stop.

When is the best time of year and day to visit for clear mountain views and the most photogenic light?

Late February through April is best. The camellia tree is in full bloom, and spring mornings bring the clearest mountain views before clouds roll in.

Arrive between 8:00 and 10:00 AM for soft light and a good shot at seeing the peaks. July and August? Expect monsoon mists that can hide the mountains.

Winter (December–January) means no camellias and chillier temps, but the place is almost empty. Weekday mornings are always the quietest.

How much time should I budget on site, and what nearby trails or viewpoints make a great half‑day itinerary?

Plan for 60–90 minutes at Yufeng Temple itself. That covers the three courtyards, shrine room statues, thangkas, the camellia tree, and the painted wooden panels on the walls.

The complex is small—just three structures left from the original nine. If you’re into meditation or photography, tack on another 30 minutes.

Pair it with Baisha Ancient Town, just 15 minutes downhill, where temple wall murals are worth a look. The full loop from Lijiang—Baisha, then Yufeng, then back—fits comfortably into a four-hour half day, including travel.

What etiquette should visitors follow around prayer halls, incense offerings, and active worship areas?

Take off your hat before stepping into the main shrine room. When you walk around prayer wheels or the camellia tree, move clockwise—it’s a Tibetan Buddhist thing.

Feel free to snap photos of the courtyards and exteriors. Inside the shrine room, though, it’s best to check with the resident monk before photographing statues or thangkas.

If a puja’s in progress, just hang back near the entrance and wait for a break in the chanting. Don’t try to squeeze past during the ceremony.

Sometimes, the monk will offer you butter tea. Accept it with both hands—it’s a small gesture, but it matters.

You aren’t expected to buy incense from the vendors outside. If you do light some sticks, use the burners provided, not the soil or any wooden spots.

Are there any lesser-known historical details or local legends connected to the site that enhance the visit?

The 8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje, apparently visited as a ten-year-old around 1515. He either planted or blessed the camellia tree that’s now over 500 years old, which is wild—since the temple itself wasn’t built until 1700.

Those wooden door panels? They’re painted in a style linked to the 10th Karmapa, Choying Dorje. His patron was Mu Yi, the king of Lijiang back in the late 1600s.

The temple’s Tibetan name is Tashi Chophel Ling. It’s part of the Karma Kagyu lineage, and only five Karma Kagyu monasteries are left in the Lijiang region.

The camellia tree is actually two different varieties grafted together, which is why it blooms in 20 separate clusters. Among the Naxi people, camellia stands for lasting love.

What practical essentials should I bring—altitude, weather shifts, and footwear—so the visit is comfortable and safe?

At 3,000 meters elevation, you might notice a little shortness of breath, especially on the uphill walk from the entrance. If you just got to Lijiang in the last day, take it easy—no need to rush.

Temperatures out here drop about 5-10°C compared to Lijiang town. Weather in the mountains changes fast, so even if it’s sunny when you leave, toss a windproof jacket in your bag.

Closed-toe shoes with good grip are a must. Those stone courtyard steps? They get pretty slick after rain or even just morning dew.

There aren’t any vendors inside the temple grounds, so definitely bring bottled water. At this altitude, UV exposure is sneaky-strong—sunscreen and a hat are smart, even if it feels cool.

Oh, and don’t forget cash. You’ll need it for the taxi and entrance fee, since mobile payments are hit-or-miss this far from town.