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 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 (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.
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.
Admission: RMB 25
Route: Walking 15 minutes from the Old Town of Lijiang or taking a taxi
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