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As the water is as green and lucid as jade, the
pond is also entitled "Yuquan" or Jade Fountain. On the bank of
the pond willows hang their withes like silk thread. One can see
arbours and pavilions beside the pond, temples hidden in the trees
and variegated flowers found everywhere. "A tree of cherry blossom
accompanies a tree of willow, while a rose climbs to the tip of
one of a tree's twigs." That is how the calm and exquisite view of
the place is described. Longshen Pavilion on the east side of the
park was built in the second year of the Qianglong era of the Qing
Dynasty. In its five compounds are grown over 500 kinds of
flowers, their grace and beauty all defy description. It is
therefore praised thus: "At Yuchuan the flowers of the four
seasons are like embroidered brocade". Emperor Jiaqing and Emperor
Guanxu conferred on it royal honours for its famed excellence.
Deyue Pavilion was rebuilt in 1963. The poet Guo
Moruo dedicated two couplets to it. One reads: 'The vernal breeze
caresses thousands of willow withes, the view is splendid only in
this part. Three million jade dragons fly in the heaven, so
ravishing is nature's charm." The other reads: "Thirteen peaks are
reflected in the Dragon Pond with diving dragons up in heaven and
flying dragons down on earth. Jade waters flow half a li, with jet
the body and turquoise the soul."
At the north end of the park there stands the
famous Five-Phoenix (Wufeng) Pavilion also called Fayun Pavilion,
built in the 29th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty
(T601). It is the main building of Fuguosi Temple, with a height
of 20 m. and in the style of flying cornices and threefold
overlap. Since the ground floor has octagonal flying cornices, the
threefold overlap makes up 24 angles; so from every viewpoint the
pavilion looks like five phoenixes spreading their wings for
flight. Hence its name. The structure is built on a noble scale,
with elaborate carvings, redolent of antiquity and a strong local
flavour as well as distinctive ethnic colour.
The pavilion was originally built on a mountain far
away from the town. For the convenience of visitors, it was moved
to this park and constructed by the side of Deyue Pavilion, to the
mutual enhancement of their splendour. Its reflection in the clear
water of the Jade Fountain makes the view all the more exquisite.
In the 12th year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1639),
the famous traveller Xu Xiake came here on his tour and stayed for
eight days in the pavilion, which he took as a fortune.
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