Xima Pool (洗马潭), located in the Cangshan Mountain range of Dali, stands at an elevation of 3920 meters, earning it the title of “Lake at the Peak”. Legend has it that during Kublai Khan’s expedition to Dali, his troops camped here and washed their horses, hence the name Xima Pool, meaning horse warshing pool. This pool is a glacial lake, formed during the Fourth Quaternary Period approximately 15,000 years ago. Covering an area of around 4500 square meters, it has a depth of about 1.5 meters. Due to its unique formation process and geographical environment, the water of Xima Pool is crystal clear, free from any impurities.
According to historical records, Xima Pool was formerly known as “Gaohu” and served as a hydraulic engineering facility during the Nanzhao period. During the reign of Nanzhao’s Fengyou Emperor, a general named Shengjun was dispatched to construct this high-altitude reservoir to channel mountain springs for irrigation, which was a remarkable engineering feat at the time. Even today, remnants of ancient engineering can be found around the pool and in the surrounding mountains.
The slopes around Xima Pool are covered with azalea bushes resembling winding dragons, while the slopes below the pool are adorned with tall and straight spruce forests and bamboo groves. During the transition from spring to summer, azaleas bloom profusely, creating a colorful spectacle around the lake, resembling a vivid painting. Looking down from the mountaintop, one side is framed by the dark blue spruce and the freshly green bamboo, while the other side is set against the mottled grayish-blue rock peaks. Xima Pool, with a diameter of about one hundred meters, appears like a piece of heaven fallen from above. Along the streams and grassy slopes below the pool, clusters of pinkish-purple primroses, pale yellow lilies, and vibrant rhododendrons adorn the landscape, transforming it into a high-altitude colorful garden.
Walking from Xima Pool to the mountaintop, visitors can enjoy panoramic views in different directions. To the west, the landscape of mountains, rivers, and villages in Yangbi County can be seen. To the east, several mountain ranges with flowing streams, and the majestic Jizu Mountain standing tall among them. To the north, the snow-capped peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are visible, making it an ideal spot for tourists to appreciate the plateau scenery.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Included in the ticket for Cangshan Mountain |
| Opening Hours | Upward: 8.30 – 14.00 Downward: 8.30 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-400-9001558 |
Location and Transportation
Xima Pool is situated at the junction of Yujufeng and Longquanfeng in the Cangshan Mountain range of Dali, reaching an elevation of 3920 meters. Visitors can conveniently reach the site by taking a cable car directly. The round-trip ticket price for the cable car is 320 yuan.
