Shangguan Flower Garden in Dali City

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Shangguan Flower Park (上关花公园) is located to the south of Longshou Pass (龙首关) in the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom, specifically in Shangguan Village (上关村) of Xizhou Town (喜洲镇), Dali (大理市). The park lies east of Erhai Lake (洱海) and is bordered to the west by Cangshan Mountain (苍山), particularly the Yunong Peak (云弄峰). It is also approximately 1 kilometer from Butterfly Spring (蝴蝶泉). Construction began in December 1992, and the park was completed in September 1993. The scenic area features several attractions including the mountain gate, twin big green trees, gardens, a song and dance amusement park, and Tianlong Cave (天龙洞).

Key Details

Chinese Name: 上关花公园 (Shangguan Hua Gongyuan)

Location: Shangguan Village (上关村), Xizhou Town (喜洲镇), Dali (大理市)

Opening Hours:

• May 1 to September 30: Monday to Sunday 08:00-18:00
• October 1 to April 30: Monday to Sunday 08:00-17:00

Famous Attraction: Tianlong Babu Guan (天龙八部官)

Construction Start: December 1992

Shangguan Flower

The park is named after the renowned Shangguan Flower (上关花), which can be found in Huashu Village (花树村) north of Longshou Pass. Known as “Shili Xiang” (十里香) or “Ten Miles of Fragrance,” this flower is the magnolia (木莲花) that typically has 12 petals in regular years and 13 petals in leap years. The flowers are yellow and white, resembling jade magnolia, and emit a strong fragrance. Historical texts from the Ming Dynasty (明代) mention it, but it was destroyed during the Qing Dynasty (清代). Xu Xiake (徐霞客), a famous traveler, recorded in his “Diary of Travels in Yunnan” (《滇游日记》) that the flowers “are yellow and white, large as lotuses, with 12 petals, increasing by one during leap years. Their fragrance is far stronger than that of those not seen in the provincial capital.”

Currently, Shangguan Flower Park cultivates this flower, which is expected to flourish again in three to five years, providing a delightful sight for visitors.

Tianlong Cave

The highlight of the park is Tianlong Cave, located on the hillside of Yunong Peak. The cave stretches 507 meters in length, featuring unique and oddly shaped stalactites that create various scenic views. There are currently 28 named attractions within the cave, including:

Along the path outside the cave, you can find attractions such as Taizi Pavilion (太子阁), Eight Immortals (八仙), Monk Jigong (济公和尚), and Dragon Lady (龙女).

Time Needed for Visit

1-3 hours

Transportation

Self-Driving: From Dali Passenger Transport Station, take Provincial Highway 221 and National Highway 221 to reach the destination.

Opening Hours

09:00-18:00 (January 1 to December 31, Monday to Sunday)

Location

Shangguan Flower Park, Shangguan Village, Xizhou Town, Dali, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province (云南省大理白族自治州大理市喜洲镇上关村上关花·天龙洞景区)

How to Get There

• By Car: The easiest way is to drive from Dali city to the park using the mentioned highways.
• By Public Transport: Buses or local taxis can also be taken from Dali city to reach Xizhou, and from there, you can access the park.

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer are ideal for viewing the blooming flowers.
• What to Bring: Bring a camera to capture the beautiful flowers and cave formations.
• Enjoy Local Cuisine: Don’t miss trying local Bai dishes in nearby eateries.
• Cultural Respect: Be mindful of the local customs and maintain the cleanliness of the park during your visit.