To the north of the Lijiang Old Town and at the foot of the Elephant Hill lies the Jade Spring Park, also known as the Black Dragon Pond Park. On clear days, you can see the nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected onto the jade waters of the 100-acre pond within the park’s grounds, creating an ethereal and beautiful image. The two ends of the pond are connected by a bridge, and though the water in the pond is not separated in any manner, the two sides are display different colours, lending the pond to a majestic sight.

The park is also home to historical monuments such as the Longshen Temple and the Deyue Pavilion. The temple, dedicated to the Dragon God or the God of Rain, was built in 1737 during the Qing dynasty. There is also the Five-Phoenix Tower which was originally built at another temple and moved here in 1979. With so much to see, it’s easy to get lost in the scenery and spend hours upon hours in the beautiful park.