【New Yunnan Notes】Plum Blossom Hunting in Heilongtan Park: "Two plum trees, one pool of water, mist and rain all year round, halfway up the mountain in clouds"

Number of days: 4 days
Time: February
Updated: 2025.04.03

[New Yunnan Random Notes] Plum Blossom Searching in Black Dragon Pond Park: "Two plum trees, one pool of water, four seasons of mist and rain halfway up the mountain"

Just now, when I took a taxi to the Kunming Botanical Garden, the driver told me, "After you visit the botanical garden, go to the nearby Black Dragon Pond. The plum blossoms there are in full bloom." Hearing it was so close, I was overjoyed. Such a beautiful sight, such as the plum blossoms, was definitely not to be missed.

So, leaving the botanical garden, I began my walking journey again. Although the two places were not far apart, it took me over half an hour. There were no sidewalks on this stretch of road, as it's located in the suburbs. Cars whizzed past me at such speed that I was practically panicking.

In the small roadside flower beds, peacocks are considered Yunnan's mascot, and peacocks made of flowers can be seen everywhere. Finally, we arrived at Black Dragon Pool Park! I figured since there was a plum blossom exhibition, I'd need a ticket. I approached the security guard, but he waved me right in. What a surprise!

Finally, we arrived at Black Dragon Pool Park! Since there was a plum blossom exhibition, I figured I'd need a ticket. I approached the security guard, but he waved me right in. What a surprise!

Entering the park was like stepping into a dreamland of plum blossoms. The sight before me instantly captivated me. In early spring, plum blossoms quietly bloomed in Heilongtan Park, resembling an elegant ink painting. The delicate pink petals swayed gently in the sunlight, a subtle fragrance lingering in the air. Along the roadside, pots of plum blossoms blossomed freely, their pink and rose-red petals cascading together, gently falling in the breeze. The scene was as romantic as a dream. Later, I learned that these were plum blossoms. I couldn't help but think of the plum blossoms I saw in Guangzhou, most of which were white, which always lacked their charm in photos. These pink blossoms, however, are incredibly photogenic.

I love the purple flowers.

Heilongtan Park mainly consists of two major scenic areas: the ancient buildings and the "Longquan Plum Blossom Exploration" area. Shuo Qing, a Qing Dynasty poet, once inscribed the couplet, "Two plum trees, a pool of water; mist and rain all year round, clouds halfway up the mountain." These fourteen characters perfectly capture the park's unique landscape. At the park's entrance stands a stone tablet inscribed with the words "Plum Melody," constructed from stacked bluestone. The park's entrance is anchored by a turquoise archway, a charming and antique garden structure that instantly draws visitors into a poetic atmosphere. The plum garden and the ancient buildings are connected to each other. “Exploring the Plum Blossoms at Longquan” is one of Kunming’s new sixteen scenic spots. The park boasts ground-planted plum trees, plum tree stumps, and over 13,000 century-old plum trees, making it the largest plum blossom viewing destination and research center in Southwest China. Currently, over 200 varieties of plum blossoms are in full bloom, their delicate fragrance lingering, inviting visitors to explore further.

The red plum blossoms are delicate and alluring, like shy girls, their rosy cheeks looming on the branches, playful and lovely. The white plum blossoms are elegant and pure, like fairies detached from the mundane world, their pure white petals swaying gently in the breeze, a transcendental beauty. The wintersweet's subtle fragrance, unassuming yet captivating, captivates with its subtle, almost imperceptible aroma. And then there are the centuries-old plum blossoms, quietly standing among pavilions and terraces, their gnarled branches telling the story of time, their vibrant blossoms displaying a vibrant vitality. Here, history and vitality blend perfectly. Surrounded by towering ancient trees, deep springs, lush bamboos, and emerald green ponds, the scenery is profound and tranquil, inviting one to immerse themselves in it.

It's said that since Daoan planted plum trees in the Tang Dynasty, Heilongtan Park has had an inextricable bond with plum blossoms. Today, it boasts Kunming's largest, oldest, and finest plum garden, ranked among the top ten plum gardens in China and the largest landscape plum garden in Southwest China. Strolling through the garden, plum blossoms blanket the hills, blooming profusely and exuding fragrance. Millions of blossoms compete for beauty, layer upon layer, forming clouds and rosy clouds. The fragrance permeates the garden, transforming it into a dreamlike wonderland, with petals scattering in a riot of color and a subtle fragrance lingering in the air.

Pavilions, terraces, and waterside pavilions, rich in Yunnan's local ethnic architectural style, are scattered throughout the park, imbued with the intangible beauty of Chinese plum blossom culture, immersing visitors in a tranquil and contemplative mood. The park also preserves famous inscriptions from past dynasties, including the embossed stele, the Tang plum blossom stele, and the Song cypress stele, as well as the tomb and ancestral hall ruins of Xue Erwang, a loyal and righteous Ming Dynasty official. This imbues the park with a profound sense of history.

"It's like a fairyland on earth, adorned with plum blossoms, a scene of leisurely beauty." Stroll through Black Dragon Pond Park and marvel at the plum blossoms standing proudly on this vast landscape. The yellow wintersweets resemble brilliant gold, the white plum blossoms resemble a blanket of snow, and the red plum blossoms resemble the morning glow on the horizon. The plum blossoms bloom at different times, some still in bud, like shy little girls; others just opening slightly, revealing delicate stamens; and some already in full bloom, generously displaying their beauty. Their diverse forms and vibrant fragrance adorn the landscape with extraordinary beauty, adding a unique touch of color to Kunming at the turn of winter and spring.

There's also a statue of Confucius

A man-made attraction for your photo-taking pleasure. I was so engrossed in admiring the plum blossoms and taking photos that when I finally came to my senses, I realized I couldn't find the legendary pond. I stopped a few tourists to ask, but they all shook their heads in bewilderment. After all, they were just tourists, not particularly familiar with the garden. Perhaps it was simply the blossoms' sheer beauty that captivated me, making me forget everything else. Legend has it that a black dragon lurks within the pond, hence its name. Dragon Pond is divided into two pools, front and back, separated by a bridge. One pool boasts crystal-clear water, while the other is slightly murky, resembling the Taoist "Taichi" diagram of yin and yang. Even more remarkable is that the two pools connect, yet the fish never swim between them, creating the unique phenomenon of "two waters intersecting, yet fish remaining in the water." Unfortunately, I was so distracted by the plum blossoms that I missed this marvelous sight.

This time, because I was so focused on admiring the plum blossoms, I didn't find the pond, and as a result, I didn't see the entire ancient building complex, which was a bit of a distraction. However, the plum blossoms and the ancient buildings complement each other, creating a unique beauty. In order to witness the magical pool of water with half yin and half yang, I secretly made up my mind to go to Kunming again next time!