Kunming 昆明市 - Black Dragon Pool 黑龙潭

Located 11 kilometers north of Chunking at the foot of the Longquan Mountains, the park seems to be neglected by many tourists from other provinces and countries. It is said that there was once a black dragon living in its namesake, the Black Dragon pool. Standing on the stone bridge spanning the pool, the tourist can find that water on the left and on the right are quite different; the deeper pool is formed by a bubbling spring and is clear and green; the shallow one is muddy. From the Tang Dynasty and till the early 1900s, local people held memorial ceremonies for the dragon hoping it would bring rain to the land. The Taoist Dragon Spring Temple, the largest structure in the park, was first built along the pool early in the Han Dynasty. More expansion and refurbishment were undertaken during the succeeding dynasties. Most of the remaining architecture was completed during the Qing Dynasty. The temple is divided into two parts—Dragon Spring Temple and Black Dragon Palace. Situated on a bank of the pool, the Black Dragon Palace is also known as the “lower temple” where memorial ceremonies were once held. Stepping into the small courtyards and halls, the tourist could hardly feel a semblance of religion. Instead, they are quite like the gardens in southeastern China. The Dragon Spring Temple nestled on a small hill, is known as the “upper temple.” The stone steps leading up to the temple are lined with towering nanmu (this kind of wood can give off an unusual scent reputed to repel mosquitoes in summer) trunks, which are so thick tat two persons cannot encircle them with their arms stretched out. With a history of more than 500 years, the temple impresses not only with its Taoist-style architecture, but also because of its ancient plants. At the temple entrance, there are two 1,000-year-old cypresses with limbs and leaves serving as two huge canopies. A plum tree is even older than the cypresses seemed to be no less impressive, although three-fourths of its trunk has withered since 1923. When spring sets in, plum flowers’ blossom on slim branches that survive ages of wind with a pleasant aroma for several weeks. An other attraction in the temple is a camellia growing in a courtyard on the right. With a history of about 400 years, the camellia adds a living touch to the severe atmosphere around the temple when red flowers flourish. What attracts the tourist most is not only the historic charm of the temple, but its natural beauty. Strolling along winding paths lined with pots of azaleas, the tourist is inspired by a variety of greenness at every corner. In particular the view of the surrounding Longquan Mountains from the park is spectacular. The garden around the temple offer secluded areas for picnicking. Patches of meadows and hundreds of trees make the park a perfect choice for half a day relaxation. A bamboo-structured teahouse located on the slope draws many pleasantly tired tourists. What a serendipity spot it is! Although the Black Dragon Pool may not provide sites as dramatic as the Stone Forest and Dianchi Lake, it is still impressive in its own quiet way.

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