Butterfly Spring

Butterfly Spring (Dali, Yunnan, China)

Butterfly Spring is one of the most iconic natural and cultural attractions in Dali, Yunnan Province, nestled at the foot of Yunnong Peak — the first summit of the Cangshan Mountain range, about 27 km north of Dali Ancient Town.

🦋 The “Three Wonders”

The spring is celebrated for its legendary trio of butterflies, spring water, and an ancient tree:
  • The Spring — Originally called “Bottomless Pool,” the crystal-clear spring covers roughly 50 m² with a depth of about 6 m. Mineral-rich water bubbles up from below, giving it a mesmerizing blue-green hue that shimmers in sunlight.
  • The Tree — A massive ancient silk tree (合欢树) spreads its canopy directly over the spring. When it blooms in late spring, its fragrance draws butterflies from miles around.
  • The Butterflies — Each year around mid-April (especially on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month), thousands of butterflies converge here. In a truly surreal spectacle, they link head-to-tail, forming long butterfly chains that hang from branches down to the water’s surface — a phenomenon so dense that “stones thrown won’t scatter them.”

💕 A Symbol of Eternal Love

To the local Bai people, Butterfly Spring is sacred ground for romance. Legend tells of a young woman named Wengu and a hunter named Xialang, who were torn apart by a tyrant. Rather than surrender, they leaped into the spring together and transformed into a pair of butterflies, forever dancing above the water.
This story inspired the classic 1959 film Five Golden Flowers (五朵金花), which made Butterfly Spring famous across China. To this day, young Bai couples gather here during the annual “Butterfly Festival” to sing courtship songs and test the water’s depth by tossing stones — a tradition of seeking true love.

🎫 Visitor Information

Detail Info
Ticket ~¥40 (online booking ~¥38); half-price for students and seniors 60–70; free for children under 1.2m and seniors 70+
Opening Hours Generally 8:30–17:00 or 9:00–18:00 (confirm before visiting)
Rating National AAA Tourist Attraction
Location Xizhou Town, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture

🚗 How to Get There

  • Bus — From Xiaguan North Station, take a bus bound for Eryuan or Butterfly Spring (~1.5 hours). From Dali Ancient Town, catch a mid-size bus along Bo’ai Road (~40 minutes).
  • Boat + Bus — Take a cruise from Dali or Xiaguan pier to Taoyuan Pier, then transfer by road.
  • Self-Drive — Follow the Dali–Lijiang highway (Dali Road), via Huandao Road, Cangshan Road, and Renmin North Road.

🗺️ Suggested Route

Entrance → Bamboo Grove Path → Stone Archway → Xu Xiake Statue → Main Butterfly Spring → Butterfly Museum → Butterfly World (live butterflies) → Lover’s Lake / Courtship Pool → Wanghai Pavilion (panoramic view of Erhai Lake)

⏰ Best Time to Visit

  • Mid-April (around the lunar Butterfly Festival) is the prime window to witness the natural butterfly gathering.
  • If you miss the festival, the Butterfly Museum and Butterfly World house live and preserved specimens year-round.
  • The spring itself is beautiful in any season, though the legendary mass butterfly spectacle has become rarer in recent years due to environmental changes.

📌 Tips

  • Toss a coin into the spring and make a wish — a popular ritual for couples.
  • Enjoy traditional Bai ethnic song-and-dance performances held daily inside the park.
  • Combine your visit with nearby Xizhou Ancient Town, Zhoucheng Tie-Dye Village, and Erhai Lake.
  • Yunnan’s sun is intense — bring sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes.
“Dali in March is a fine sight; by Butterfly Spring, one dresses with delight.”
More than a natural wonder, this spring carries the Bai people’s timeless faith in the romance of true love.