Black Dragon Pool Park (黑龙潭公园) is located at the foot of the Wulaofeng Peak in Longquan Mountain, in the northern suburbs of Kunming City. Legend has it that the palace of the Black Dragon King, a mythical figure in Yunnan, is located here, hence the name “Black Dragon Pool.” The park features two pools, one clear and one murky, covering a total area of 600 square meters. These pools are interconnected but maintain their distinct clarity, creating a unique natural spectacle. Additionally, the park is renowned for its four ancient trees, known as the “Four Wonders” – Tang Plum, Song Cypress, Yuan Cedar, and Ming Tea – which have been planted during the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties respectively. Apart from these, the plum grove attracts numerous visitors during the winter season for plum blossom viewing.
Black Dragon Pool is a renowned Taoist site, divided into upper and lower temples, evolving from the ancient Black Water Temple during the Han Dynasty. The upper temple, originally called Longquan Temple, dates back to the Tang and Song periods, while the lower temple, commonly known as Black Water Palace, was established during the Ming Dynasty.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Black Dragon Pool Park
- Vlog about Black Dragon Pool Park
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 15 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00; Last admission: 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0871-65886882 0086-0871-65150395 |
Location and Transportation
Black Dragon Pool Park is located at the foot of Wulaofeng Mountain in the northern suburbs of Kunming City, Yunnan Province, adjacent to Kunming Botanical Garden. Its specific address is 1 Lan’an Road, Panlong District. To get there, you can take bus 9, 79, or 128 and get off at Heilongtan Stop (黑龙潭站).
Highlights of Black Dragon Pool Park
Black Dragon Palace
Black Dragon Palace, situated adjacent to the Dragon Pool, is commonly known as the Lower Temple. It was originally constructed in the 27th year of the Ming Hongwu era (1394) and underwent reconstruction during the fourth year of the Ming Jingtai era (1454) by the hereditary Lord of Qian, Mu Shi. Consisting of three entrances and four courtyards, adorned with lush greenery, the palace exudes an ancient and elegant charm. The main hall enshrines the Black Dragon King, while the side hall houses sculptures of water deities. During the Cultural Revolution in 1966, all the sculptures were destroyed. Today, the Black Dragon Palace has been restored as a historical site for visitors, with inscriptions from the Qing Kangxi era adorning its walls, commemorating the visit of Fan Chengxun, the governor-general of Yunnan and Guizhou, to the Black Dragon Pool.
Longquan Temple
Longquan Temple, or Dragon Spring Temple, comprises five halls – the Thunder God Hall, North Pole Hall, Jade Emperor Hall, Three Pure Ones Hall, and halls dedicated to Changchun Zhenren and Tongmiao Zhenren – totaling thirteen courtyards. The architectural complex ascends gradually from south to north along the mountain slope. Flanking the passageway in front of the Thunder God Hall are two ancient peacock cypresses planted during the Yuan Dynasty. Among them, one tree, thriving with lush foliage, stands at 26 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 1 meter. The other, struck by lightning in 1979, has since withered, leaving behind a trunk approximately 10 meters tall with new sprouting branches. Along the sides of the passageway near the “Ziji Xuandu (紫极玄都)” archway are two unique twisted cypress trees. One tree twists to the left, while the other twists to the right, with both trees boasting trunk diameters exceeding 1 meter. The right-twist cypress was toppled by snow in 1984, leaving behind a stump standing at 6 meters tall.
Flower Sea
One highlight of Black Dragon Pool Park is the “Flower Sea.” In 1997, to commemorate the return of Hong Kong to China, the scenic area created the “Hong Kong Return Commemorative Forest.” Covering an area of 2 hectares, the forest is adorned with over 2,000 red maple trees and features a commemorative stone monument. Every autumn, the mountainside becomes a stunning display of red leaves swaying in the wind. Adjacent to the plum blossom area, the Rhododendron Valley spans 8 hectares and is home to over 100,000 rhododendron plants. Around the time of Qingming Festival, the valleys and hills are ablaze with the vibrant colors of rhododendron flowers, creating a breathtaking sea of blossoms.