Why is Five-spring Park special?
Lies at the north foot of Gaolan Mountain in Lanzhou city, Five-spring Park occupies an area of 266,400 square meters on Five-springs Mountain, which ranks as the largest park in Lanzhou.
Five Spring Park enjoys a time-honored history with a legend. In the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-24 A.D.), a famous general named Huo Qubing, was dispatched by the Emperor to defend the northern border of the country against the Hun people. When the troops arrived at Gaolan Hill, General Huo and his soldiers were exhausted and thirsty. With no water nearby, General Huo forcefully whipped his horsewhip five times into the ground, thus five springs gushed out. Hence the mountain got the name of the Five-spring Mountain.
Besides the famous five springs, the park owns many temples and pavilions, mostly from Qing Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), and tea houses, art exhibition halls and pools as well. Wenchang Temple, Butterfly Pavilion, Golden Buddha Temple, Mahavira Hall, Wanyuan Pavilion, Thousand Buddha Temple, etc. are scattered along a passage on Five-spring Mountain. Corridors and stone steps connect the buildings, which add artistic atmosphere to the park. The natural beauty of the Five-spring Park is enhanced by verdant groves and fragrant flowers while the temples make it a famous religious destination.
Five-spring Park Highlights
Five Springs
The five springs are Ganlu Spring, Juyue Spring, Mozi Spring, Meng Spring and Hui Spring. Ganlu Spring situated in the highest position among the five springs. It is said that Ganlu Spring won't flood during days of rain or dry out during days of drought. The taste of the spring is sweet as dew. Ganlu Spring is endowed by Heaven for the peace and prosperity under the reign of the emperor according to the legend. Different from the other four springs, Juyue Spring is a well rather than a spring with the depth of 1.6 meter. The shadow of the moon reflected in the spring is like the moon in a plate. Another interesting spring is called Mozi Spring. It rumored that at the bottom of this spring are scree and tiles. People who touch the scree in the spring would get a son. Meng Spring lies in the east side of the mountain. A Chinese poetry once appreciated Meng Spring by saying that "friends invited me to taste new tea, I think the water to complement the tea should be Meng Spring", which highly praised the value and quality of this spring. Covered by luxuriant trees and grass, Hui Spring is crystal. It benefits the local people with adequate water supply and for irrigation; hence got the name of Hui (means benefit in Chinese).