Black Dragon Pool is the landmark of Lijiang. The pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its exquisite beauty. The water of Black Dragon Pool comes from the mountains protected by deities believed by Naxi People. Its surroundings are all green with grass and shaded by swaying willow trees. In its waters, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is reflected. The park is a museum of old architectures. The Naxi People moved several old splendid buildings to the area around the Black Dragon Pool. These archetectures have been well pretected and maintained. Among them, Moon-Embracing Pavilion with its own white marble bridge across the water, and the Five-Phoenix Temple built during the Ming Dynasty is a combination of Lama and Naxi culture.
An ancient legend lends the Black Dragon Pool its name; it is said that a long time ago there were ten wicked dragons that caused much destruction and did great harm to people. One day, one of the Eight Immortals of the Chinese legend "Lu Dongbin" subdued nine of the dragons and jailed them in a tower. Only the youngest black dragon was left, charging with protecting and benefiting the people as the price of its freedom. This dragon is believed living in the Black Dragon Pool till today. The pool is divided into two parts by a bridge, and although the water is connected, the two sides are different colors and the fish in either side never swim to the opposite part of the pool. Moreover, for hundreds of years, this wondrous pool has never dried up, even in drought years.
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. In Black Dragon Pool Park, the water is lucid as jade and reflects those elegant traditional garden buildings. Along the river bank, a natural flower carpet decorate fairyland. It is therefore praised thus “the flowers of the four seasons are like embroidered brocade.”
People get together here for picnics. They bring various delicious food, special wheat wines and often their favorite Chinese fondue as well. It isn't difficultto imagine how fun and joyful it is to have such a picnic in Black Dragon Pool Park.
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