Cuihu Park in Kunming, Yunnan

Cuihu Park is located at the foot of Luofeng Mountain in the urban area of Kunming, at the western foot of Wuhua Mountain, opposite the main entrance of Yunnan University, formerly known as Caihaizi. This place was originally a bay in Dianchi Lake, but later became a clear lake due to the drop in water level. Cuihu Lake is sparkling, with green trees and beautiful environment. It is a green gem in Kunming city and enjoys the reputation of jade in the city. Before the Yuan Dynasty, the water level of Dianchi Lake was high, and this place was still a small lake bay outside the city, with many rice fields, vegetable gardens, and lotus ponds, so it was called "Caihaizi". Because there are nine springs in the northeast, they converge into a pool, also known as "Jiulongchi". In the early years of the Republic of China, it was converted into a park, with willows planted all over the park and lotus flowers planted in the lake, hence the beautiful name of "Cuihu". Cuihu Park is located at the foot of Luofeng Mountain in the urban area of Kunming, opposite the main entrance of Yunnan University. Although the area is not too large, it has its own characteristics. This place was originally a bay in Dianchi Lake, but later became a clear lake due to the drop in water level. Since the Ming Dynasty, successive Yunnan administrative officials have built pavilions and buildings here. Because of its main features of weeping willows and clear water, it was officially named Cuihu at the beginning of this century. It is famous for "Cuiti Spring Dawn" and is known as "a green gem inlaid in Kunming city". The Ruan embankment running north-south in Cuihu Park was built with funds allocated by Ruan Yuan, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou in 1834. The Tang embankment running east-west was built with funds allocated by Tang Jiyao, the commander-in-chief of the National Army of Yunnan, Sichuan and Guizhou provinces under Sun Yat-sen in 1919. The two long embankments divide the lake into four. Willows are planted on the embankment and lotus flowers are planted in the lake. The lotus and willow reflect each other, clear and beautiful. The two long embankments divide Cuihu into five scenic areas--the Lake Heart Island scenic area is mainly Qing Dynasty buildings such as Lake Heart Pavilion and Fish Viewing Tower; the southeast is Shuiyue Pavilion and Goldfish Island; the northeast is Bamboo Forest Island and Jiulong Pond; the south is Gourd Island and Nine Curved Bridge; the west is Hai Xin Pavilion.