The Spring of Love and Legend: Butterflies, Ancient Trees, and Crystal Waters at Butterfly Spring

The Crystal Gem of Cangshan

1.Located at the foot of Yunnong: Peak, the first peak of the majestic Cangshan Mountain, approximately 25 kilometers north of Dali Ancient City, lies the enchanting Butterfly Spring (Hudie Quan). This scenic park is a fusion of natural beauty and profound cultural romance. Situated at an altitude of roughly 2,050 meters, the spring is renowned for its crystal-clear water, which bubbles up from the bottom of a square-shaped pool, creating a mirror-like surface that reflects the surrounding greenery and the towering mountains. For centuries, it has been a symbol of loyal love and a beloved destination for travelers, immortalized by the famous Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake in his journals and celebrated across China through the classic movie "Five Golden Flowers",.

The Legend of the Butterfly Tree

The heart of the park is the spring itself, shaded by dense foliage. Leaning over the pool is a magnificent, ancient tree known as the "Butterfly Tree". This tree is central to the park's allure and its romantic legend. According to local Bai folklore, a young couple, Wenpeng and Xiamei, fell deeply in love but faced persecution from a tyrannical landlord. Unwilling to surrender, they jumped into the spring together to preserve their love. Their spirits transformed into a pair of vibrant butterflies, and countless other butterflies flocked to the site to pay homage. This tragic yet beautiful story has imbued the spring with a deep sense of romance, making it a "Spring of Love" in the hearts of the Bai people,.

The Spectacle of the Butterfly Meeting

Historically, the area was famous for a spectacular natural phenomenon known as the "Butterfly Meeting". On the 15th day of the fourth lunar month, when the Butterfly Tree bloomed with flowers resembling butterflies, thousands of butterflies of various colors would gather. They would link together, head to tail, forming long, colorful strings that hung from the tree branches down to the water's surface, creating a dazzling spectacle described as "butterflies linking their whiskers to touch the water". While this massive natural gathering is rarely seen in the wild today due to environmental changes, the date remains a significant festival. During the Butterfly Festival, local Bai youth gather here to sing folk songs and seek their life partners, continuing the tradition of romance,.

A Living Museum of Butterflies

To compensate for the decline in wild butterfly gatherings at the spring, the park has established a Butterfly World (Butterfly Museum) and ecological breeding facility. Here, visitors can walk through enclosures filled with thousands of artificially bred butterflies, allowing for close encounters and photography opportunities that mimic the legends of old. The museum also displays specimens of precious and rare butterflies found in Yunnan and across the world, offering an educational insight into the biodiversity of the region,.

A Scenic and Cultural Stroll

Beyond the spring and the butterflies, the park offers a pleasant environment for exploration. Visitors can stroll through bamboo groves, admire the "Lovers' Tree", and enjoy the panoramic views of the Erhai Lake plain from the "Wanghai Pavilion". The park's entrance features a large archway inscribed by the literary giant Guo Moruo, and the path to the spring is lined with pine and cypress trees, creating a serene atmosphere. Whether you are tracing the footsteps of Xu Xiake, reliving the scenes from "Five Golden Flowers," or simply seeking a quiet moment by the water, Butterfly Spring offers a poetic glimpse into the soul of Dali,.