Jade Spring Park (Heilongtan Park)|china guides

Walking north from the Old Town of Lijiang, exactly at the foot of Elephant Hill, is the Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan), an influx of limpid spring. Since the water of the pond is as green as a shining jade, the park of Black Dragon Pool, which was built in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty, is also entitled the Jade Spring Park (Yuquan Park). Jade Spring Park (Heilongtan), Lijiang, Yunnan.

Jade Spring Park (Heilongtan), Lijiang, Yunnan.

Jade Spring Park (Yuquan Park) occupies an area of 11,390 square meters and includes many distinctive and ravishing sites. Hiding in the lush trees or standing along the liquid pool is the antique and exquisite architectural pieces, which are in the style of Naxi (also spelt Nakhi or Nahi). Therefore, Jade Spring Park is a really good place to seek novelty and grasp beautiful scenes.

On the gate of Jade Spring Park hangs a tablet with four bold and unconstrained Chinese characters - Yu Quan Gong Yuan (Jade Spring Park) - which was written by the famous artist Wu Zuoren. Two stone-carved lions squat augustly on both sides, like loyal guards of this peaceful land. Going inside the park, one can see a charming white marble bridge lying across the emerald water. It is the Suocui Bridge.

The symmetrical five bridge holes make a beautiful inverted reflection in water, together with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Elephant Hill, the sapphire sky and the white clouds thereinto.

As you roam along the bridge and get to the center you will see the Moon-Embracing Pavilion (Deyue Pavilion). Surrounded by water, the three-storey pavilion is elaborately carved and richly ornamental. The original pavilion was built in the late Ming Dynasty (1638 - 1644) and was well-preserved until the contrived fire in 1950. The present one is a reproduction built in 1963. The plaque with the pavilion's name on and the two couplets which describe the beautiful landscape vividly were all written by the modern Chinese literary giant Guo Moruo.

Dragon God Temple (Longshen Temple) which is at the east of the park was built by the local Naxi people in 1737 and was given the title of'Dragon God of Jade Spring' by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty in the same year. Jade Spring Park (Heilongtan), Lijiang, Yunnan.

At least 500 kinds of flower are planted in the garden and the temple now serves as an exhibition hall for seasonal horticultural shows and art displays.

The famous flying cornices and threefold overlap Five-Phoenix Tower (Wufeng Tower), also called Fayun Pavilion, is located at the north end of the park. Built in the 29th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1601), the Five-Phoenix Tower was originally situated in Fuguo Temple, which is 30 kilometers to the west. It was moved to Jade Spring Park in 1979 for the convenience of the tourists. This 20-meter-high (65.6 feet) pavilion got the name Five-Phoenix Tower for its unique and fancy appearance. The octagonal shape, pretty wing-like eaves, painted rafters and carved beam make the pavilion looks like five phoenixes spreading their wings for fly from any angle of view.

Every step in Jade Spring Park will be a surprise because of its numerous beautiful sites and cultural relics. Steles of past dynasties are well preserved among the trees of the chestnut in the east shore of the Black Dragon Pool. Dongba Culture Research Institute and Dongba Culture Museum are also in the park.

The whole structures have strong local flavours and are considered the crystal of multinational cooperation between the Han, Tibetan and Naxi people.