u/trainerkittyk

I had this in Dali ancient town, Yunnan province.

I think I paid 10 CNY, or less...

What is it called?

Is it a typical street food type dish?

Every couple of months, I like to watch a modern, action-packed, military cdrama to take a break from costume cdramas. I’ve watched Glory of Special Forces, twice, in the last year – I enjoyed it that much!!! There’s no romance, its got a decent story focusing on the army training and realistic, interesting characters…

What other cdramas have you seen that are similar to Glory of Special Forces?

Feel free to recommend me some navy, airforce, or police cdramas as well but it must have lots of ACTION!!!

NOTE: I haven’t seen all of the cdramas attached… its what I found, so far, while researching on MDL . I've also included a few to be released = Flags of Glory and Soldiers of Glory.

CHINESE NAME: 圆通寺

OTHER NAMES: Yuantong Temple, previously known as Pu Tuoluo Temple or Potalaka Temple.

ADDRESS: No. 42 Yuantong Street, Wuhua District, Kunming, Yunnan province.

HISTORY: Yuantong Temple was built in the late 8th to early 9th Century, during the Nanzhao Kingdom of the Tang Dynasty. It has been repaired, rebuilt and restored many times, over the years, mainly due to war. In 1669, when Wu Sangui was ruler of Yunnan, he ordered the main gate (that was made in 1666) to be moved south and relocated the Yuantong Shengjing memorial archway and the Yuantong Palace to its current position.

In 1982, Thai Buddhists sent a 3.5m copper statue of Sakaymuni to Yuantong Temple as a symbol of friendship. Along with funding from Thailand, in 1985, a Thai-style temple pavilion was also added, along with two chimeras and a Siddharta Buddha inside. Since then, Yuantong Temple has become well-known throughout Southeast Asia and is part of pilgrimages with special Buddhist services held regularly.

With a history of more than 1,200 years, Yuantong Temple is not only the largest temple in Kunming, its considered as one of the grandest and most important Buddhist temples in Yunnan Province. Til this day, many people visit on the 1st and 15th of every month in the Chinese lunar calendar to pay their respects.

ARCHITECTURE: Yuantong Temple was originally built on the traditional model of Chinese Buddhist Temples but now showcases a unique mix of Yuan, Qing and Ming Dynasty styles. After serval major restorations and expansions during the Yuanyanyou Period (1314 to 1320), the reign of Emperor Chenghua (1465–1487) and in 1686, the temple took on its present design, with covered corridors, bridges and grand halls.

Yuantong Temple’s architecture also incorporates various characteristics from Chinese Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Southern Buddhism schools from Southeast Asia. It is one of the few temples in China that is representative of unity for the three schools of Buddhism = Yuantong Pavilion Hall is of Mahayana; the Copper Buddhism Hall is of Theravada; the side halls is of Tibetan Buddhism. Yuantong Temple also showcases sculptures and pictures of Taoists immortals, such as the Eight Immortals.

Another interesting aspect of Yuantong Temple is its symmetrical layout is based on a “reversed system”. Unlike most Buddhist temples that are built on an ascendant, after going through the main gate, visitors to Yuantong Temple need to walk downhill along the central axis to visit the main hall. From the front memorial archway, visitors can see the garden areas and courtyard to the main hall, by looking down and not up, to worship Buddha.

The main hall maintains the style of Chinese architecture from the 12th century and holds two central pillars inside with two giant dragons carved during the Ming dynasty. These two dragons are facing each other, as if they are ready to fight, which is another rare sight in Chinese Buddhist temples. See photo 12.

The Yuantong Palace (or Mahavira Hall) is an octagonal-shaped building – also uncommon in Chinese Buddhist temples. This building is located in the centre and with a large pool connected to the rest of the complex by several bridges or walkways. Many consider this a unique temple layout, as the temple is presented in a garden-like design and is surrounded by water with fish and turtles.

East and West Temple Pagodas 东西寺塔

HISTORY: According to historical records, the East and West Temple Pagodas were both built during the 9^(th) Century, in the Tang Dynasty, Taihe three years (829 years), of the Nanzhao period 824-895 AD, and took 30 years to complete.

The West Pagoda, or Xisi Ta, is also known as Huiguang Temple Pagoda, stands on the west side of Dongsi Street. In 1984, the pagoda was repaired and a Nanzhao inscription “Apocalypse decade" (859) brick carving was discovered, proving when the Central Plains brick burning technology was introduced to Kunming.

The East Pagoda, or Dongsi Ta, is also known as Changle Temple Pagoda, is located on Shulin Street. It collapsed due to an earthquake in the 13th year of the Daoguang reign in the Qing Dynasty and was rebuilt in the 9th year of the Guangxu reign. In 1882, it was rebuilt on a new site hundreds of steps east of its original location.

ARCHITECTURE: each pagoda measures approx 40.5m tall and have 13-levels, square dense multi-eaves, hollow brick tower with wooden flooring and a staircase. The bricks of the pagoda are inscribed with Buddhist scriptures and incantations in Chinese and Sanskrit and the stamps of brick-makers = all invaluable relics. Each side of the pagodas also holds a Buddha niche housing stone Buddha statues.

At each of the four corners of the pagoda’s top stands a gilded copper Garuda about 2 meters high. The legend is that the roosters are enemies of dragons, so they help protect the pagodas and the city against storms. This symbolism goes all the way back to India, where Vishnu's bird-mount Garuda is often depicted as holding snakes in his beak.

In appearance and structure, the pagodas resemble the Small, Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an. The East and West Temple Pagodas are a nationally protected cultural heritage site. Unfortunately, you can no longer enter the pagodas –the door is locked...

NOTE: Photos 1, 2, 3 is of the West Temple Pagoda – I couldn’t take many photos as there was a group of woman dancing around the pagoda!

NOTE: Photos 4 to 12 are of the East Temple Pagoda.

NOTE: Photo 13, 14, 15 were found online...

NOTE: Last photo is of the Twin Pagodas of Miaozhan Temple 妙湛寺双塔, in Guandu Ancient Town, Kunming, Yunnan province. Its like a “replica”, or mini version, of the East and West Temple Pagodas.

These were first built in the fourth year of Taiding in the Yuan Dynasty (1327-1335). The West Tower was destroyed by an earthquake in the 13th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, that is, in 1833, leaving only the East Tower. The West Tower was rebuilt in 2001. These Twin Pagodas are approx 17.5m tall and have a square base with a side length of 5.5m.

Chinese Name: 近日楼 , 丽正门.

Other Names: Jinri Building, Jinri Tower, Jinrilou.

Address: in between the East and West Temple Towers 东西寺塔 near South Ping Walking Street 南屏步行街, in Kunming, Yunnan province.

HISTORY: Jinri Building was built during the Ming Dynasty, in the 14th year of the Hongwu reign in 1381. Originally, it was called Chongzheng Gate 崇正门 and its tower was named Xiangming Tower 向明楼, symbolising the bright future for the southern part of the city. The building is also known as Lizhengmen 丽正门.

During the Qing Dynasty, Fan Chengxun 范承勋 believed the name was too closely tied to the Ming Dynasty and was inappropriate for the new Qing rule. The local people suggested to change the name to Jinri Building 近日楼, meaning “Building Close to the Sun”, as it was the tallest structure in Kunming (at the time).

In the 1950s, the Jinri Building was demolished to make way for the expansion of Dongfeng Road东风路, a major thoroughfare through Kunming. In 2002, the Kunming Municipal Government decided to rebuild the building and position it in a new location between the East and West Temple Towers 东西寺塔, approx 900m south of its original location.

ARCHITECTURE: Jinri Building measures approx 60m long, 40m wide and 20m tall. Back then, it was a grand and important structure standing on the south-north central axis of the old city. It was Kunming’s Southern Gate with a wall and tower. If you climb the stairs, on either side, you can wander around several long halls and peer down into the pedestrian street... you can see one of the towers in the distance!

https://youtu.be/RoHZTMo9XAc?si=GFkbxd48S-tRd5sv

This was posted on you-tube on 29th July 2026.

The newly restored doors of Zhengyangmen Gate slowly swung open on Monday, ushering in a new chapter for the 607-year-old landmark in the heart of Beijing. Also known as "Qianmen," the gate's archery tower once served as a defensive stronghold and marked the southern entrance among the nine inner city gates of ancient Beijing during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912). Today, Zhengyangmen holds a unique distinction: it's the only gate in Beijing's inner city where both the city tower and archery tower remain fully intact.

Over a five-year renovation beginning in 2020, restoration teams conducted a comprehensive 3D digital scan of the gate to preserve its structure for future restoration efforts. The reopening coincides with the second anniversary of the Beijing Central Axis being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the gate tower now hosts an exhibition spanning more than 600 years of architectural heritage, highlighting the outstanding universal value of the Central Axis. Visitors can purchase tickets to ascend Zhengyangmen through the site's official WeChat account, priced at just 20 yuan (about $2.95).

I ate at this Liuhuan Snack restaurant in Kunming and really enjoyed these two dishes, especially the dessert - the white cup on the left.

It had a rose flavour and some type of jelly in it... very refreshing, light, sweet but not too sweet.

Is it called Rose Papaya Water 玫瑰木瓜水 ???

Hand-poured iced papaya seed jelly topped with fermented rose petal jam and brown sugar water?

That's all I could find googling so far... Can anyone provide a recipe please? Links?

I only have these photos of the restaurant and the menu.... Thanks everyone!

Chinese Name: 崇圣寺三塔, 崇圣寺三塔, 大理崇圣寺三塔 or 大理市崇圣寺三塔文化旅游区.

Other Names: The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, Dali Three Pagodas.

Address: At the foot of Yingle Peak of Cangshan Mountain, 1.5 km from Dali Old Town,inDali, Yunnan province.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE OF THE THREE PAGODAS: According to Wikipedia, it is believed that the Three Pagodas were built for auspicious reasons. The legend is that Dali was once a swamp and inhabited by dragons that deliberately created natural disasters to dispel human intruders. The Three Pagodas was built to deter the dragons and have survived several man-made and natural disasters for more than 1,000 years...

The main pagoda, Qianxun Pagoda 千寻塔, was constructed between 823-840 by King Quan Fengyou 劝丰佑 of the Nanzhao Kingdom. It measures nearly 70m tall and is one of the tallest pagodas in China’s history. This pagoda is square-shaped and has 16 stories, each storey with multiple tiers of upturned eaves. There is a carved shrine containing a white marble sitting Buddha statue at the centre of each facade on every storey. The body of the pagoda is hollow from the 1st to 8th storey, surrounded by 3.3m thick walls.

Written at the base of the main pagoda, on the side that faces west to Erhai Lake, is a four-character inscription that says “Forever Control Mountains and Rivers." The appearance of the main pagoda is very similar to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian, Songyue Temple Pagoda in Dengfeng and White Horse Temple Pagoda in Luoyang. Visitors were once allowed to walk inside the main pagoda and climb to the top via a ladder inside but its now broken. The entrance to the main pagoda has been closed ever since, blocked – visitors can only admire it from the outside.

During repairs in 1978-1979, three copper plates were found at the bottom of the steeple which recorded the exact years of previous repairs, those being 1000, 1142, and 1145. More than 700 Buddhist antiques including sculptures made of gold, silver, wood or crystal and a variety of items like scriptures, seals, porcelain, bronze mirrors, musical instruments, were also found in the body during a major repairing work.

The other two smaller pagodas were built around 100 years later – most likely during the Song Dynasty, and stand to the northwest and southwest of the main pagoda. They are approx 42m tall, solid, octagonal-shaped with 10 stories, each. In the centre of each side of every storey is a shrine containing a Buddha statue.

At a distance, the Three Pagodas appear like three ballpoint pens standing between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. These Three Pagodas form a symmetric triangle, they are made of brick and covered with white mud. The Three Pagodas are a landmark of Dali, a National 5A Level Scenic Spot and considered a national treasure.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE OF CHONGSHENG TEMPLE: Right behind the Three Pagodas is Chongsheng Temple 崇圣寺 or 崇聖寺. Chongsheng Temple was once the royal temple of the Dali Kingdom and built at the same time as the main pagoda but destroyed in a fire during the Qing Dynasty. It originally had 891 rooms, 11,400 Buddhist statues, 9 halls and 100 chambers, 7 buildings and 3 pavilions. Its recorded that 9 Dali emperors gave up their status and become a monk at Chongsheng Temple.

The temple was rebuilt in 2005, covering an area of 600 mu and cost around 182 million yuan to complete. It is now one of the largest Buddhist Centres in Asia and famous as Tianlong Temple in The Semi-Gods & Semi-Devils novel written by Jin Yong. Some of the most interesting and beautiful features of the complex is the Nanzhao Jianji Bell - Golden Wing Bird, the largest bell in Yunnan province, built in 871 AD (slide 7); Yutong Guanyin Hall with the 12.6m tall Yutong Avalokitesvara bronze statue from the Nanzhao Zhongxin Period and recast in the late Qing Dynasty (slide 8); and Wanghai Tower at the end of the complex.

Chongsheng Temple showcases the architecture of many well-known temples from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming & Qing Dynasties. The reconstruction is carried out along the primary and secondary axes involving 8 terraces, 9 courses of yard and 11 stories. The main body of the buildings have been rebuilt with a reinforced concrete structure, with their bracket system, doors and windows as well as the details carved precisely with the top-quality toons. All the buildings along the primary axis are decorated with the highest standard golden dragons and phoenixes and in the royal colors. The buildings along the two secondary axes are painted with the solemn and graceful spinor color, and bright Suzhou-style color on the verandas, pavilions and garths.

On the main axis there is: Garuda Square, the gate, Free Life Pond, Approach Bridge, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Maitreya Temple, Avalokitesvara / Guanyin Hall, Mahavira Great Buddha’s Hall, Acuoye Avalokitesvara Pavilion, Mountain Stone Memorial Arch, Wanghai Tower. Aside the central axis and the next axis has: an area for the conjuration stuff, Buddhist Abbot Hall, Monastic Reception Hall, Abstinence Hall, Arhat Hall, Thousand-Buddha Gallery, Hall of Patriach, Dharmapalas Hall, Buddhist Research Institute, etc. There is also a Reflection Pond and many gardens scattered throughout the complex.

IF YOU ARE VISITING: Allocate at least 6hrs – if you want to wander through all the buildings and areas. The place is huge and I didn’t expect to spend so much time here! To show you the size of The Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple, I’ve uploaded some maps (last slide) and merely the highlights of my visit over x3 posts! Although it is “new”, it’s really worth visiting.

I also highly recommend to try the vegetarian buffet lunch, cost 18 CNY. I think its served between 11am to 1pm? in the centre of the complex – check the location and times with the staff.

I had this chicken noodle soup dish in Lijiang at a restaurant called Zewa Yunnan Mixian Snacks.

Is this a popular or well-known dish? Traditional or modern, fusion style?

Its chicken but looks, feels and tastes like fish! The way it's cooked, the texture and flavour - marination etc was different. I haven't had anything like this before...

The yoghurt with dried fruit dessert - bottom photo of first slide, was good too!

Attached are more photos of the film studio / theme park.

If you look closely, in slide 12, the top right image is of which cdrama? its not Tian Long Ba Bu 2003 version.

If you do visit, please share your experience!

If you've watched the cdrama recently, please tell me if you recognise any of the buildings or areas!

About a 15min taxi ride from Dali ancient town in Dali, Yunnan province, is a film studio / theme park called Tian Long Ba Bu Movie & Television City. It was specifically built as a filming location for cdrama Demi-Gods & Semi-Devils 天龍八部 2003 version, based on Jin Yong’s novel.

This film studio cost around 110 million CNY to construct and covers an area of about 183,000 sqm. You do need to pay an entry fee / admission ticket and you can purchase on the left side of the main entrance. There are clean toilets throughout the film studio as well. Phew!

The layout of this film studio has been designed like an old town with a walled town gate, watchtower, palace, main street, market area, tea-house, “flower house” (casino, brothel, night entertainment), temple, outdoor stage, gardens, mansions and government halls and offices etc. There are over 140 buildings and with sections dedicated to the Dali Kingdom, as well as the Song, Western Xia and Liao dynasties.

One of the most popular photo spots is Zhenlong Chess Game as it was made according to the description in Jin Yong’s novel. Other places worth visiting is Zhennan Prince’s Mansion which belonged to Prince Zhennan Duan Zhengchun in the novel (but it now appears to have been renovated and redecorated to represent the Dali Kingdom - see comments for photo as reference) and the Western Xia Imperial Palace.

I visited in May 2026 and spent about 3hrs wandering through all the areas. There’s only a few food stalls and small restaurants here so its best to visit before or after a hearty meal. You can also pay extra to rent hanfu outfits, play a game of archery, go on some 3D rides, complete an adventure jungle challenge (like run across wooden-planked bridges, hop through hanging tyres, monkey climb around etc but it looks more suitable for kids).

Although this attraction is not as famous or popular like Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang province, Tian Long Ba Bu is worth visiting especially if you want to take lots of hanfu photo-shoots in the ancient China setting. You can come already dressed in a hanfu outfit or rent hanfu inside the Western Xia Imperial Palace. There are no queues or crowds here so you’ll have the whole street or building to yourself!

Some may consider Tian Long Ba Bu is not a good place to visit as its not busy or packed with people, but I didn’t mind – in fact, it was better as I could take lots of photos immediately! I didn’t have to wait around… if I had to line up to take photos, then my visit would have been a lot longer, maybe 6hrs?

From what I’ve read online, during school holidays and public holidays, they do hold an emperor greeting / welcoming ceremony, outdoor performances, fireworks, festivals, special events and have NPCs roaming about. So if you’re looking for a similar experience to what Hengdian World Studios offers but at Tian Long Ba Bu, its best to research and check the daily schedules before visiting this place...

Now, which movies and cdramas have been filmed here?

Here’s a list of what I could find online…

MOVIES = Kung Fu Hero, Volunteer, Almost Perfect.

CDRAMAS = The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils 2003 version, Chinese Paladin 2005 version, Journey to the West (I’m not sure which version but it was listed on Baidu Wiki), A Chinese Ghost Story, Lucky Star Shines on Pig Bajie, Joyful Pig Bajie, The Four Young Constables, Princess of Dali, See White Snake Again, Our Eyes, Tea Horse Road, Legend: Fantasy of the Shang Dynasty, Southern Country Righteous Warriors, Golden Phoenix Blossoms, Ancient Dian Kingdom, Qiao Longbiao, Shangri-la.

I don’t think any movies and cdramas are filmed here these days. It’s more of a tourist attraction now so I don't expect to see any live filming or celebrities... aawww! Well, if you do, let me know!

I took so many photos on my visit that I’m going to make two posts to show you what Tian Long Ba Bu Movie & Television City looks like – now! As you can see, some buildings have been neglected, look run-down, etc. There are other areas that I haven’t included in my posts but this should give you a good enough idea...

If you've seen the cdrama and recognise any of these buildings or areas, do tell me! As this is what the place looks like now = 23 years after cdrama Demi-Gods & Semi-Devils was filmed here and released in 2003.

NOTE: Tian Long Ba Bu is also listed as Tianlong Babu on various websites.

Chinese Name: 严家大院

Other Names: Yan Family Compound.

Address: inside Xizhou Old Town, in Dali, Yunnan province.

HISTORY: The Yan Family Compound is part of Xizhou ancient town which dates back to the Sui Dynasty, when it was first incorporated by General Shi Wansui. The Yan Family compound was also a part of the military fortress in the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom and the Nanzhao King’s temporary palace. It was constructed by a businessman named Yan Zizheng around the 1920s using the fortune that he made from trading along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. The Yan family was once the largest family in Xizhou...

Now, it is a museum and cultural centre, open to the public with an admission fee. There are daily Bai nationality song and dance performances such as "rattle stick dance", "welcome dance", "straw hat dance" and "hand towel dance" as well as a traditional three-course tea ceremony that you can experience called “Sandaocha”.

ARCHITECTURE: The Yan Family Compound covers an area of around 3,066 sqm and showcases the best of traditional Bai style architecture with influences from various local ethnic communities over the years. There are several entrance points to this compound but the main one is on a quiet street with a grand gate (slide 1, top photo). After you purchase your ticket at the office, walk to the left and through the carpark... You will be greeted by a resting pavilion (slide 2) and huge screen wall (slide 3).

This screen wall must face east to enjoy the morning sunshine and reflect light into the inner rooms. It location is important because the Bai people believe it acts as a talisman to protect and bring good luck to the residents. The Bai and Chinese characters on the screen wall reads “Qingbai Shijia” which means innocent family and “Ziqi Donglai” which means auspicious air comes from the East.

The front door (slide 4), welcomes you to the Yan Family Compound. The layout of the compound is of a typical Bai courtyard house called “sihe wutianjing” which refers to the home having one big courtyard with four buildings at the four corners of the main building. The compound has several parts or sections that are all linked via corridors and staircases that are also decorated with artworks near the ceiling (slide 11). The tiles lining the walkways have flora and fauna designs (slide 14, centre photo).

Another distinctive feature of traditional Bai style architecture are the roofs with upturned eaves and "dougong" systems, which refers to double bow-shaped brackets on columns supporting the upturned eaves. Each section of the compound also has to be symmetrical and have "a reflecting wall while the other three serve as living spaces" and "quadrangle courtyard with two extra patios in the two sides".

One of the buildings in the Yan Family Compound is now an office and staff resting area (slide 15), which has a beautifully painted, wooden carved archway and pillars with dragons, birds and flowers (slide 16 to 19). The wooden doors and windows throughout the compound also have geometric patterns and nature designs as well.