Lianhuachi Pond Park in Kunming

Chinese Name:昆明莲花池公园

Egnlish Name:Lianhuachi Pond Park in Kunming

Overview of Lotus Flower Pool

Location and Historical Background

• Location: Situated in the northern part of Kunming city, to the northwest of Yuantong Mountain, and at the foot of Shang Mountain. The pool has a water inlet on its side, and when full, the water flows into the Panlong River.
• Historical Origins: The history of Lotus Flower Pool dates back to the Tang Dynasty. By the early Ming Dynasty, it was already celebrated as one of the "Six Scenic Spots of Dianyang" and was renowned for the nickname "Dragon Pool Leaps Golden." The pool has five dragon eyes, and its clear springs have flowed continuously for centuries.

Major Attractions

Eight Sceneries of Dragon Pool

• Anfu New Charm: Layout inheriting the classical garden style.
• Wuhua Gathering Elegance: Showcasing the beautiful scenery of Wuhua Mountain in Kunming.
• Four Directions Lotus Breeze: Natural scenery of the lotus flower pond.
• Makeup Tower Reflection: Reflection of classical architecture in the water.
• Shang Mountain Dream Trace: Historical relics at the foot of Shang Mountain.
• (Hong) Corridor of Smoke and Willow: Picturesque corridor and willow trees.
• Dragon Pool Leaps Golden: Beautiful sight of the pool water reflecting the sunlight.
• Cold Spring Moon Imprint: Scenic view of cold spring and moonlight.

Features of Lotus Flower Pool Park

• Designed in the Jiangnan garden style with a "collection-style" garden technique.
• The central building of the park is the eight-sided Lotus Flower Pavilion, serving as the theme and landmark building of the park.
• New attractions include Yushi Linglong, Cuihai Makeup Tower, Dragon Pool Leaping Fish, Lotus Pool Fragrance, Highland Peach Forest, Yongli Tomb, Long Bridge Waves, Lotus Moon Dusk, and Flourishing Flower Tide.

Historical Evolution and Cultural Background

• Ming Dynasty Records: According to the "Yunnan Gazetteer," Lotus Flower Pool is located at the foot of Shang Mountain, with clear spring water believed to have healing properties.
• Historical Relics: The pool once had historical relics such as Chen Yuanyuan's dressing table and Yongli Emperor's tomb. Wu Sangui built "Anfu Garden" at Lotus Flower Pool for his favorite concubine Chen Yuanyuan. The garden featured pavilions, water pavilions, rockeries, and rare flowers. Wu Sangui also constructed a plank road from Wuhua Mountain directly to Lotus Flower Pool for easier access to both political duties and his beloved.

Current Status and Reconstruction

Environmental Issues

• In recent years, the Lotus Flower Pool has been affected by surrounding environmental pollution, losing much of its former glory.

Reconstruction Plan

• Design Concept: Designed by Yunnan Provincial Urban and Rural Planning Design Institute, aiming to restore the Ming Dynasty landscape, combining historical anecdotes of Lotus Flower Pool, and using "scenic-title" techniques.
• Scale of Reconstruction: The lake area will be expanded from 30 acres to 40 acres. The park’s overall style will be based on Jiangnan garden aesthetics, highlighting the cultural landscape of "Dragon Pool Leaps Golden."
• Construction Progress: The reconstruction project started in December 2006, construction began in August 2007, and the park reopened on September 29, 2008. The entire reconstruction took one year and cost over 50 million yuan.

Culture and Famous Scenery

• Dual Landmark: Lotus Flower Pool is famous not only for its natural scenery but also for its historical connections with famous figures like Wu Sangui and Chen Yuanyuan, making it a "dual landmark" of Kunming.
• Literary Praise: Historically, Lotus Flower Pool was known for its picturesque scene described as "Ten Acres of Lotus Flowers and Fish World, Half City of Willows by the Tower." The clear and turbid waters and historical context make it a renowned scenic spot in Kunming.

Summary

Lotus Flower Pool has been one of Kunming's famous scenic spots since ancient times, with its natural beauty and historical background contributing to the cultural value of this garden. The newly rebuilt Lotus Flower Pool Park will restore its former charm, offering citizens a cultural destination that combines historical significance with natural beauty.