At the northern foot of Xiushan Mountain, where the gentle slopes meet the ancient city of Tonghai, sits the Qinglong Nunnery. Constructed in 1744 during the Qianlong reign, the site anchors the first terrace of the Xiushan Ancient Architectural Complex. The nunnery faces north, standing in parallel alignment with the adjacent Wanshou Palace. Its architecture follows a classic 'one-entry, two-courtyard' design. Visitors move through a deliberate sequence of spaces, passing from the Front Hall to the Main Hall, bordered by East and West Wing Rooms and quiet supplementary chambers known as hide rooms.

The history of the grounds is closely tied to Zhao Cheng, an imperial official who returned to Tonghai to mourn his mother. The Qianlong Emperor rewarded Zhao’s long service with a gift of five thousand taels of silver. Choosing to honor the throne, Zhao directed the funds toward building the neighboring Wanshou Palace, expanding the religious footprint of the mountain base that includes Qinglong Nunnery. Through the centuries, the nunnery has adapted to the changing needs of the town. Originally a sanctuary for Buddhist monastics, it became a public education center in the 1930s and eventually transformed into a cultural hall and ancient music pavilion.

Despite these shifts in purpose, the Qinglong Nunnery retains its original Qing Dynasty timber framing and spatial harmony. The twin courtyards hold collections of evergreen bonsai and seasonal flowers, offering a shaded retreat from the city below. The scent of blooming flora and the faint sounds of traditional music fill the enclosures. Visitors can lean against the wooden balustrades to observe the courtyards or sit at the stone tables to play chess. The building remains a quiet, enduring space, preserving the architectural heritage of Yunnan while continuing to serve the daily life of the community.