| As the water is as green and lucid as jade, the park, which located north of Lijiang town at the foot of the Elephant Mountain, is also entitled Yuquan (Jade Spring) Park. Surrounded on all sides by verdant trees, the park looks like a pearl in Yunnan plateau.
Inside the park, many ancient architectures of the Naxi (also spelt Nakhi and Nahi) people scatter amidst the lush trees, adding unique view to this park.
Five-Phoenix Tower (Wufeng Tower): Located at north end of the park, the tower, also named Fayun Pavilion, was built in the 29th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty. It was originally located in Fuguo Temple, 11km away from Naxi Autonomous County. In 1979, for the convenience of visitors, it was moved to this park. In the 12th year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming dynasty (1639), the famous traveler Xu Xiake once visited here and stayed for eight days in the pavilion.
Decorated with flying cornices and threefold overlap, the tower looks like five phoenixes spreading their wings for flight. Hence its name.
The 17-meter-high, 3-story tower is of unique and complicated architectural structure, with the first story in octagonal shape, the second story dodecagonal, and the third story quadrangular. Built together by Han, Naxi and Tibetan people, the whole structure is full of local flavour as well as distinctive ethnic colors.
Moon-Embracing Pavilion (Deyue Pavilion): Built in the middle of water, this pavilion was richly ornamented. The original three-storey pavilion dated from the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and survived without significant damage until 1950. Two couplets written by the Chinese literary giant Guo Moruo were hung on the pavilion, vividly depicting the landscape of Yunnan province.
Dragon God Temple (Longshen Temple): Located on the east side of the park, this temple was built in the second year of the Qianglong reign of the Qing dynasty. Over 500 kinds of flowers were planted nearby.
Besides, visitors can also visit Dongba Research Institute on the hillside, where Dongba scrolls and artifacts on display. |
