Black Dragon Pool |
Travel in Yunnan | |||
Black Dragon Pool (hēi lóng tán 黑龙潭) is one of the ancient scenic spots in Kunming (kūn míng 昆明). It got its name for the crystal clear pool in front of the temple. It is said that a black dragon has been living in the pool. Black Dragon Pool is quiet and beautiful, with a lot of ancient trees and famous flowers. As the water is as green and lucid as jade, the pond is also entitled "Yuquan" (yù quán 玉泉) or Jade Fountain. On the bank of the pond willows hang their withes like silk thread. One can see arbours and pavilions beside the pond, temples hidden in the trees and variegated flowers found everywhere. "A tree of cherry blossom accompanies a tree of willow, while a rose climbs to the tip of one of a tree's twigs." That is how the calm and exquisite view of the place is described. Longshen Pavilion (lóng shén cí 龙神祠) on the east side of the park was built in the second year of the Qianglong (qián lóng 乾隆) era of the Qing Dynasty (qīng cháo 清朝). In its five compounds are grown over 500 kinds of flowers, their grace and beauty all defy description. It is therefore praised thus: "At Yuchuan the flowers of the four seasons are like embroidered brocade". Emperor Jiaqing (jiā qìng 嘉庆) and Emperor Guangxu (guāng xù 光绪) conferred on it royal honours for its famed excellence. Deyue Pavilion (dé yuè lóu 得月楼) was rebuilt in 1963. The poet Guo Moruo (guō mò ruò 郭沫若) dedicated two couplets to it. One reads: 'The vernal breeze caresses thousands of willow withes, the view is splendid only in this part. Three million jade dragons fly in the heaven, so ravishing is nature's charm." The other reads: "Thirteen peaks are reflected in the Dragon Pond with diving dragons up in heaven and flying dragons down on earth. Jade waters flow half a li, with jet the body and turquoise the soul." Tips:
Tags: Travel in Yunnan Travel in Beijing
|