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Butterfly Spring

Butterfly Spring (Hudie Quan) is located on the peak of Cangshan Mountain, about 27 km north of the ancient city of Dali. The spring is regarded as a symbol of love among the local Bai people who believe that two lovers committed suicide here in order to be together. Their wish was granted ehrn they were made into butterflies that return to the site every spring when the tree flowers bloom. At the southern end of the spring, is a museum of butterflies displaying 45,000 butterfly samples belonging to 400 species and 11 families. Around April 15 each year, young Bai come here with their lovers to socialize, dance and sing.

How to get there: You can walk to the Yunnan-Tibet Highway west of the ancient town of Dali (a ten minute walk) and get onto almost any passenger bus heading north. The spring is 32km from the ancient town of Dali and if you tell the driver that you are heading to Hudiequan, then the bus will drop you off there for around RMB4. The Butterfly Spring is just by the main road. In peak season, there are minibuses running between Dali Gucheng and the Butterfly Spring.