Lion Mountain Park situates in Lijiang, which is only about 250 meters from the Lijiang Ancient Town. With an altitude of 2,500 meters, Lion Mountain Park is the best place to get a panoramic view of the Lijiang Ancient Town. Covering an area of 15 hectares, Lion Mountain looks like a sleeping lion from a distance, hence the name.
What to see in Lion Mountain Park
The mountain’s forest coverage rate is about 90%. It is covered by verdant trees and lush grasses, and there are more than 40 ancient cypress trees of 800 years old.
Lion Mountain Park is famous for its Wangu Tower, which is also the highest spot in the park. It is a five-storied wooden edifice, with five elegant eaves, supported by sixteen 22-meters’ pillars. It is a symbol of the wooden Dougong architecture and is regarded as the Top.1 Domed Shaped Structure in China. The top story has 13 angles, representing the 13 peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains. There are 2,300 auspicious patterns inside the tower, representing the harmony and unity of the 23 ethnic groups in Lijiang. Standing on the tower, visitors can have a panoramic view of the surrounding areas, including the beautiful Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Lijiang Ancient Town, farmlands, and the Naxi minority villages.
Wenchang Palace locates in the northern part of the park. Wenchang Palace was originally built in 1725 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). At that time, it was the location for holding exams and folk lectures. With a history of more than 250 years, it is an important heritage site under the state protection in Lijiang.
Twin-Stone Garden includes a large waterwheel, which in memory of the daily waterwheel used by Naxi people. There is a large relief, which is 55 meters wide and 9 meters high, in memory of the important civilization of the Naxi nationality.
In the southern part of the park, there is a White Horse Dragon Pond Temple. A crystal pond named White Horse Dragon Pond sits to the east of the temple. The Three-Eye Well locates outside of the pond is closely related to local people’s life.