{"id":713,"date":"2026-08-29T09:58:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T09:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=713"},"modified":"2026-08-29T10:06:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T10:06:24","slug":"713-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=713","title":{"rendered":"Black Dragon Pool"},"content":{"rendered":"

Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan) \u2014 Lijiang Travel Guide<\/h1>\n
Black Dragon Pool<\/strong> (\u9ed1\u9f99\u6f6d, Heilongtan<\/em>), also known as Jade Spring Park<\/strong> (\u7389\u6cc9\u516c\u56ed), is one of Lijiang’s most iconic and photogenic landmarks. Located at the northern foot of Elephant Mountain, just outside the Old Town, this 287-year-old park is the primary water source for Lijiang’s ancient canal system and offers the most classic view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain’s reflection<\/strong>.<\/div>\n
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\ud83d\udccd Overview<\/h2>\n
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Attribute<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Location<\/strong><\/td>\nNorthern edge of Lijiang Old Town, at the foot of Elephant Mountain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Founded<\/strong><\/td>\n1737 (Qianlong Era, Qing Dynasty)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water Area<\/strong><\/td>\n~40,000 m\u00b2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daily Flow<\/strong><\/td>\n300,000 m\u00b3 \u2014 feeds the entire Dayan Old Town water system<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rating<\/strong><\/td>\nAAAA National Scenic Area<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nickname<\/strong><\/td>\n“The Eye of Lijiang”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best Duration<\/strong><\/td>\n2\u20133 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83c\udfab Tickets & Hours<\/h2>\n
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Entrance Fee<\/strong><\/td>\nFree<\/strong> \u2014 but requires presentation of the Lijiang Old Town Maintenance Fee receipt<\/strong> (\u00a580, valid for 30 days)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free Entry Window<\/strong><\/td>\n19:00\u201321:30 (no maintenance fee check required before closing)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Opening Hours<\/strong><\/td>\n07:00\u201319:00 (some sources note extended hours to 21:00 in peak season)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phone<\/strong><\/td>\n+86-888-5188041<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83d\udca1 Pro Tip<\/strong>: Arrive before 07:30 in the morning \u2014 the gates are unmanned, so you can enter for free<\/strong> and catch the golden sunrise light on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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\ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f Main Attractions<\/h2>\n
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Attraction<\/th>\nWhat to See<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\ud83c\udf0a Black Dragon Pool<\/strong><\/td>\nTwo springs bubble up from beneath ancient chestnut trees, forming a crystal-clear jade-green lake. Water quality meets China’s Grade I drinking water standard (pH 6.8\u20137.2).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f Snow Mountain Reflection<\/strong><\/td>\nOn calm, clear days, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain mirrors perfectly in the emerald water \u2014 the most iconic photo in all of Lijiang<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\ud83c\udfef Dragon God Temple (\u9f99\u795e\u7960)<\/strong><\/td>\nThe park’s centerpiece, featuring an opera stage and the Deyue Pavilion<\/strong> (\u5f97\u6708\u697c). The gate bears the calligraphy “Heaven’s Light, Cloud’s Shadow.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\ud83d\udd12 Suocui Bridge (\u9501\u7fe0\u6865)<\/strong><\/td>\nDivides the water into light and dark zones \u2014 the best spot<\/strong> for reflection photography.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f Wufeng Tower (\u4e94\u51e4\u697c \/ Fayan Pavilion)<\/strong><\/td>\nOriginally built in the Ming Dynasty at Fuguo Temple on Zhi Mountain, relocated here in 1979. The Mu Chieftain once received the famous traveler Xu Xiake<\/strong> here.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\ud83d\udcda Dongba Culture Research Institute<\/strong><\/td>\nOne of the world’s most important centers for Dongba studies, housing over 4,000 Dongba scriptures<\/strong> and 200+ Dongba paintings \u2014 the largest collection globally.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\ud83e\udea6 Stele Forest<\/strong><\/td>\n50+ ancient steles from the Tang to Republican eras, scattered among ancient chestnut groves.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\ud83c\udf33 The Four Treasures<\/strong><\/td>\nHan Temple, Tang Plum, Song Cypress, Ming Tomb<\/strong> \u2014 ancient trees and relics that have witnessed centuries of history.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83d\udcf8 Photography Guide<\/h2>\n
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Shot<\/th>\nBest Time<\/th>\nBest Location<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Snow Mountain Reflection<\/strong><\/td>\n09:00\u201310:00 or 16:00\u201317:00 on calm, sunny, windless days<\/td>\nAlong Suocui Bridge, in front of Deyue Pavilion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Golden Sunrise on Snow Mountain<\/strong><\/td>\n~07:00\u201307:30<\/td>\nNear the main gate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ancient Architecture<\/strong><\/td>\nAny time of day<\/td>\nDragon God Temple, Wufeng Tower, Jade Emperor Pavilion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seasonal Flowers<\/strong><\/td>\nSpring: cherry & azaleas \/ Summer: lush green \/ Autumn: golden \/ Winter: snow-covered<\/td>\nPlum Garden, Azalea Valley, Osmanthus Garden<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83c\udf05 Sunrise Secret<\/strong>: Arrive before 07:30 \u2014 no ticket check, and you’ll catch the first golden rays hitting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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\ud83d\ude8c How to Get There<\/h2>\n
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\ud83d\udeb6 Walk (Recommended)<\/strong><\/td>\nFrom the Old Town’s Big Water Wheel, follow the Jade River upstream to its source<\/td>\n10\u201315 min<\/td>\nFree<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\ud83d\ude8c Bus<\/strong><\/td>\nLines 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16<\/td>\n~10 min<\/td>\n\u00a51\u20132<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\ud83d\ude95 Taxi \/ Didi<\/strong><\/td>\nFrom anywhere in the Old Town<\/td>\n~5 min<\/td>\n\u00a55\u201310<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Suggested Itineraries<\/h2>\n

Half-Day Route (2\u20133 hours)<\/h3>\n
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Main Gate \u2192 Civilization Archway \u2192 Suocui Bridge (reflection photos)\r\n    \u2193\r\nDeyue Pavilion \u2192 Dragon God Temple (explore ancient architecture)\r\n    \u2193\r\nWufeng Tower \u2192 Dongba Culture Research Institute (cultural deep-dive)\r\n    \u2193\r\nStele Forest \u2192 Plum Garden \/ Azalea Valley (leisurely stroll)\r\n    \u2193\r\nElephant Mountain Trail (optional, for panoramic views) \u2192 Exit<\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Full-Day Combo with Old Town<\/h3>\n
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Morning:    Black Dragon Pool (2\u20133 hrs, catch the reflection)\r\n    \u2193\r\nLunch:      Return to Old Town for Naxi cuisine\r\n    \u2193\r\nAfternoon:  Mu's Mansion \u2192 Wangu Pavilion \u2192 Sifang Square \u2192 Big Water Wheel\r\n    \u2193\r\nEvening:    Lion Hill for sunset panoramic views of the Old Town<\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Nearby Food<\/h2>\n
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Dish<\/th>\nDescription<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Naxi Baba<\/strong><\/td>\nTraditional Naxi flatbread, available at restaurants near the park<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cured Pork Rib Hot Pot<\/strong><\/td>\nLijiang’s signature dish<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bingfen Liangxiao<\/strong><\/td>\nA refreshing summer dessert<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Naxi Grilled Fish<\/strong><\/td>\nAvailable at multiple restaurants in the Old Town<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f Souvenirs Nearby<\/h2>\n