Chinese paradise in Lijiang
One of the most famous excursion places in the historic Lijinang is the very picturesque Black Dragon Park with the pond of the same name. It is a classic idyllic place not only according to Chinese ideas about „paradise on earth“. The background in the form of a high mountain massif of Jade Dragon adds beauty and interest. You can also diversify the tour with lighter tourism in the form of an ascent to Elephant Hill, which is a truly luxurious lookout point for the wider area.
The most classic view
Black Dragon Park, located about a kilometer north of the historic center, consists of several lakes and bridges between them. However, the center is a nice pagoda-like temple on a mini island. A look at it and the Jade Dragon games in the background is simply a local classic.
The area of the Black Dragon Park
The whole area of the park is quite large and as if made for a long love with panoramas. The waters of the ponds are full of multicolored fish and you will also see a lot of women in traditional costumes of the Naxi people, so different in appearance from the majority Chinese nationality Chan.
Yufeng Temple
Another important building in the park area is the Yufeng Temple adjacent to the hill, where it pays to go for a walk on the „endless“ stairs.
The first view of Lijiang
In a few minutes you have a very nice view of the whole park and the modern part of Lijiang. The forested mountains on the western horizon are only about three thousand meters above sea level
View of Elephant Hill
From the Black Dragon Park, several sidewalks lead up to the adjacent hills. You can go directly to the higher Elephant Hill (2,690 m above sea level) or a longer way through a side peak (2,660 m above sea level). Count on almost 300 meters of stairs, so it is no longer a completely difficult difficulty.
Alpine basin
Lijiang lies in a vast alpine valley stretching many kilometers north to the Jade Dragon Mountains. When viewed from Lijiang, it seems that this mountain range has perhaps only one distinctive peak, but it is only an optical illusion. Apart from the Černý Drák pond, another significantly larger water area can be seen.
On Elephant Hill
You are finally at the top of Elephant Hill. There is a lookout tower in the form of a small pagoda. There are already significantly fewer tourists compared to the park.
Shanzidou (5,596 m above sea level)
The view of the highest mountain of the Jade Dragon – Shanzidou mountain range (5,596 m above sea level) is great
View of the Black Dragon Park
From the viewpoint there is also a very nice view of the whole park complex.