Aerial view of Black Dragon Pool
Moon-Embracing Pavilion with Jade Dragon backdrop
Basic Attraction Information
- Chinese Name: 黑龙潭 (玉泉公园)
- Location: Foot of Elephant Hill, only 930m north of Lijiang Old Town
- Elevation: 2,436 m
- Total Park Area: 40,000 square meters
- Opening Hours: 07:00 – 21:30 (last entry at 20:30)
- Entry Rule: Free access, requires valid Lijiang Old Town protection fee voucher
- Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours for casual sightseeing; 3 hours for in-depth cultural tour
- Shuttle Cart: Not available; the whole park is walkable flat terrain
Black Dragon Pool Introduction
Officially named Yuquan (Jade Spring) Park, Black Dragon Pool is Lijiang’s most famous natural and cultural garden, built in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty. Fed by dozens of crystal clear mountain springs flowing from Elephant Hill, the jade-like pond creates the legendary “Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Mirror Reflection” scenery — this classic lakeside pavilion + snow mountain shot is Lijiang’s signature postcard view.
The park gathers a treasure trove of relocated Ming and Qing wooden architecture, including ancient temples, multi-tiered pavilions and bridge corridors. It also houses the Dongba Culture Museum and research institute, making it a one-stop destination for landscape photography and Naxi ethnic culture learning. A gentle 15-minute walk north from Lijiang Old Town’s North Water Wheel Gate, it offers a quiet escape from the busy ancient city alleys.
Core Must-See Landmarks
1. Suicui Bridge (Lock Green Corridor Bridge)
The first iconic structure upon entering the park, a traditional covered wind-and-rain stone bridge built with carved railings. The famous couplet “Turbulent waves shake trees and fly clear snow; unrained rainbows curve over rippling waves” hangs on its plaque. Standing here is the top spot for full-frame shots combining the white marble five-hole bridge, Moon-Embracing Pavilion and distant Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in one frame.
Suicui Bridge entrance
2. Moon-Embracing Pavilion (Deyue Tower)
The park’s central lake landmark, a three-story octagonal wooden pavilion sitting on the water’s heart, connected by stone walkways. Its name originates from the idiom “the pavilion near the water catches the moon first”. Renowned poet Guo Moruo inscribed two famous couplets on its pillars, mixing Chairman Mao’s poetry with verses praising the thirteen snow peaks mirrored in the black dragon pond. The calm water around the tower delivers flawless snow mountain reflections on windless mornings.
3. Five Phoenix Tower (Wufeng Tower)
A precious Ming Dynasty wooden building originally constructed in 1601 at Fuguo Temple, 30km west of Lijiang. It was fully relocated to Black Dragon Pool in 1979. The three-layer multi-eaved structure features 24 upturned roof corners, shaped like five flying phoenixes spreading their wings, with intricate wood carvings and colorful Naxi-style painted beams. Ming geographer Xu Xiake once resided here during his Yunnan travels.
Five Phoenix Tower facade
4. Dragon God Temple (Longshen Temple)
Built in 1737, the origin of the “Black Dragon Pool” name. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty granted the title “Jade Spring Dragon God” to the shrine. The courtyard preserves ancient stone steles recording local water worship customs, and an old open-air stage where Naxi Ancient Music and folk singing performances were held for hundreds of years.
Dragon God Temple gate
5. Dongba Culture Museum
Located at the northern end of the park, Yunnan’s earliest county-level ethnic museum founded in 1984. It stores over 10,000 precious cultural relics, including more than 5,000 original Dongba hieroglyphic scriptures, Naxi ritual artifacts, ancient paintings and bronze statues. Separate exhibition halls showcase Dongba writing, folk photography and rare local antiquities.
Dongba script stone carving exhibit
6. Elephant Hill Observation Trail
A gentle hiking path climbing the rear Elephant Hill. A 30-minute ascent rewards visitors with a full panoramic overlook of the entire sea of grey tiled roofs of Lijiang Old Town, framed by Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the horizon.
Panoramic view over Lijiang Old Town from the hill
Best Photography Guide
- Golden Shooting Hours Morning: 7:30 – 10:00 – Calm windless water surface, perfect mirror snow reflections, minimal crowds Evening: 16:00 – 17:30 – Warm golden sunset glow gilding the snow peak summit Blue Hour (after sunset): Soft dim lighting illuminates the lit ancient pavilions against the mountain silhouette
- Top Photo Spots
- Suicui Bridge viewing platform (full snow mountain + pavilion symmetrical shot)
- Lakeside stone railing beside Moon-Embracing Pavilion
- Five-hole white marble bridge midpoint
- Upper terrace of Moon-Embracing Pavilion for overhead lake views
- Seasonal Shooting Highlights Spring (March–May): Plum and azalea blossoms lining the lake shore Autumn (October–November): Golden ginkgo and red maple leaves reflecting on the pond Winter (December–March): Full snow coverage on Jade Dragon Peak with clear, cloudless skies
How to Reach Black Dragon Pool
1. Walking (Most Popular)
10–15 minutes north along the stream from Lijiang Old Town’s North Gate Giant Water Wheel; flat stone path with no uphill climbs.
2. Public Bus
Take Bus 3, 4 or 16 to Black Dragon Pool Station, directly outside the park main gate.
3. YunnanJourney Private Transfer
Book our 5/7-seater private car for door-to-door drop-off from your Lijiang hotel, airport or high-speed railway station. We can combine Black Dragon Pool visits with Lijiang Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Impression Lijiang shows in one custom day charter.
Nearby Attractions for Combined Itineraries
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain full view
Shuhe Old Town canals
- Lijiang Old Town – 15-minute walking distance
- Impression Lijiang Outdoor Ethnic Show – 20-minute drive
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Blue Moon Valley – 40-minute drive north
- Dongba Culture Museum – Inside Black Dragon Pool Park
- Shuhe Ancient Town – 25-minute drive
- Laojun Mountain – Half-day hiking trip from Lijiang
Practical Travel Tips
- Entry Reminder: Prepare your Lijiang Old Town protection fee receipt to present at the park gate for free admission.
- Altitude Care: Strong UV radiation at 2,400m elevation; bring sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Carry a lightweight jacket for cool lake breezes.
- Weather Note: Heavy wind or rainy days disrupt the perfect water reflections — plan your visit on clear, calm sunny days.
- Tour Route Suggestion Short 1.5h Route: Main Gate → Suicui Bridge → Five-hole Bridge → Moon-Embracing Pavilion → Exit back to Lijiang Old Town Full 3h Cultural Route: Main Gate → Dragon God Temple → Five Phoenix Tower → Dongba Museum → Elephant Hill Overlook
Featured Tours Including Black Dragon Pool
- 1 Day Lijiang City Sightseeing Tour (Old Town + Black Dragon Pool) – Starting from $120
- 6 Days Classic Yunnan Tour (Kunming-Dali-Lijiang) – Starting from $150
- 8 Days In-Depth Yunnan Culture & Nature Tour – Starting from $225
Book Your Lijiang Trip with YunnanJourney
We provide private car transfers, pre-booked show tickets, boutique inn reservations and fully custom Lijiang itineraries with 24-hour English customer support.
Support Email: service@yunnanjourney.com
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