{"id":757,"date":"2026-08-30T10:27:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T10:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=757"},"modified":"2026-08-30T10:27:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T10:27:01","slug":"butterfly-spring","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=757","title":{"rendered":"Butterfly Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 class=\"\">Butterfly Spring (Dali, Yunnan, China)<\/h1>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">Butterfly Spring is one of the most iconic natural and cultural attractions in Dali, Yunnan Province, nestled at the foot of <strong>Yunnong Peak<\/strong> \u2014 the first summit of the Cangshan Mountain range, about <strong>27 km north<\/strong> of Dali Ancient Town.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>\ud83e\udd8b The &#8220;Three Wonders&#8221;<\/h2>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">The spring is celebrated for its legendary trio of <strong>butterflies, spring water, and an ancient tree<\/strong>:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>The Spring<\/strong> \u2014 Originally called &#8220;Bottomless Pool,&#8221; the crystal-clear spring covers roughly 50 m\u00b2 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.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>The Tree<\/strong> \u2014 A massive ancient <strong>silk tree<\/strong> (\u5408\u6b22\u6811) spreads its canopy directly over the spring. When it blooms in late spring, its fragrance draws butterflies from miles around.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>The Butterflies<\/strong> \u2014 Each year around <strong>mid-April<\/strong> (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 <strong>butterfly chains<\/strong> that hang from branches down to the water&#8217;s surface \u2014 a phenomenon so dense that &#8220;stones thrown won&#8217;t scatter them.&#8221;<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>\ud83d\udc95 A Symbol of Eternal Love<\/h2>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">To the local <strong>Bai people<\/strong>, Butterfly Spring is sacred ground for romance. Legend tells of a young woman named <strong>Wengu<\/strong> and a hunter named <strong>Xialang<\/strong>, 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.<\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">This story inspired the classic 1959 film <em>Five Golden Flowers<\/em> (\u4e94\u6735\u91d1\u82b1), which made Butterfly Spring famous across China. To this day, young Bai couples gather here during the annual <strong>&#8220;Butterfly Festival&#8221;<\/strong> to sing courtship songs and test the water&#8217;s depth by tossing stones \u2014 a tradition of seeking true love.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>\ud83c\udfab Visitor Information<\/h2>\n<div class=\"table markdown-table\" data-v-01af594f=\"\" data-v-d0d59810=\"\">\n<div class=\"sticky-release\" data-v-13fde6a9=\"\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<div class=\"sticky-release-rail\" data-v-13fde6a9=\"\">\n<div class=\"sticky-release-header\" data-v-13fde6a9=\"\">\n<header class=\"table-actions\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<div class=\"table-actions-content\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<div class=\"icon-button table-actions-icon\" data-v-1005b780=\"\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"table-container\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<table data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<thead data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<th align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Detail<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Info<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong data-v-01af594f=\"\">Ticket<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">~\u00a540 (online booking ~\u00a538); half-price for students and seniors 60\u201370; free for children under 1.2m and seniors 70+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong data-v-01af594f=\"\">Opening Hours<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Generally 8:30\u201317:00 or 9:00\u201318:00 (confirm before visiting)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong data-v-01af594f=\"\">Rating<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">National AAA Tourist Attraction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-v-01af594f=\"\">\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\"><strong class=\"\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Location<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" data-v-01af594f=\"\">Xizhou Town, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>\ud83d\ude97 How to Get There<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong class=\"\">Bus<\/strong> \u2014 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&#8217;ai Road (~40 minutes).<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong>Boat + Bus<\/strong> \u2014 Take a cruise from Dali or Xiaguan pier to Taoyuan Pier, then transfer by road.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong class=\"\">Self-Drive<\/strong> \u2014 Follow the Dali\u2013Lijiang highway (Dali Road), via Huandao Road, Cangshan Road, and Renmin North Road.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"\">\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Suggested Route<\/h2>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">Entrance \u2192 Bamboo Grove Path \u2192 Stone Archway \u2192 Xu Xiake Statue \u2192 <strong>Main Butterfly Spring<\/strong> \u2192 Butterfly Museum \u2192 Butterfly World (live butterflies) \u2192 Lover&#8217;s Lake \/ Courtship Pool \u2192 <strong class=\"\">Wanghai Pavilion<\/strong> (panoramic view of Erhai Lake)<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"\">\u23f0 Best Time to Visit<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><strong class=\"\">Mid-April<\/strong> (around the lunar Butterfly Festival) is the prime window to witness the natural butterfly gathering.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">If you miss the festival, the <strong>Butterfly Museum<\/strong> and <strong class=\"\">Butterfly World<\/strong> house live and preserved specimens year-round.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">The spring itself is beautiful in any season, though the legendary mass butterfly spectacle has become rarer in recent years due to environmental changes.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"\">\ud83d\udccc Tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">Toss a coin into the spring and make a wish \u2014 a popular ritual for couples.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">Enjoy traditional <strong>Bai ethnic song-and-dance performances<\/strong> held daily inside the park.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">Combine your visit with nearby <strong>Xizhou Ancient Town<\/strong>, <strong>Zhoucheng Tie-Dye Village<\/strong>, and <strong>Erhai Lake<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\">Yunnan&#8217;s sun is intense \u2014 bring sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<div class=\"paragraph\" dir=\"auto\"><em class=\"\">&#8220;Dali in March is a fine sight; by Butterfly Spring, one dresses with delight.&#8221;<\/em><br \/>\nMore than a natural wonder, this spring carries the Bai people&#8217;s timeless faith in the romance of true love.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 \u2014 the first summit of the Cangshan Mountain range, about 27 km north of Dali Ancient Town. \ud83e\udd8b The &#8220;Three Wonders&#8221; The spring is celebrated for its &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=757\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Butterfly Spring<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":633,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/757"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=757"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":758,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/757\/revisions\/758"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}