Butterfly Spring

» Dali, Yun Nan

Butterfly Spring Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Travel some 27 kilometers south of Dali and you will come to a popular beauty spot known locally as the "Butterfly Spring." Situated at the foot of Mt. Shenmoshan, the first of the peaks of Mt. Cangshan, the spring rises to form a square shaped pool that is shaded by the dense foliage that lines its banks.The pool is some 50 square meters overall and above it is an ancient decumbent tree.

Whato to visit

This is the famous "Butterfly Tree," so called as in the short interval as spring turns to summer, its fragrant blossom attracts thousands of butterflies. Thousands of butterflies fly here from all directions. Some of the butterflies are as big as a palm, and some are as small as a copper coin. The butterflies are of different colors: yellow, red, white, and so on. These multi-colored creatures fly around the spring and settle on the tree in great clusters as they sip the nectar from its blooms. The vast numbers of butterflies are hardly distinguishable from the flowers as the whole tree pulsates with every color of the rainbow. The sight is so magnificent and wonderful that people call it the "Party for Butterflies."

Butterfly Festival

This spectacular sight has given rise to a local festival when the Bai people gather at the tree on April 15th for the "Party for Butterflies." The romantic spectacle of the butterflies as they feed and mate in such abundance has become a symbol of courtship and each Bai youth will seek to engage with the love of his life by joining in with the traditional antiphonal singing. The Bai also refer to the spring as the "Allegiance Spring" as it is here that true and lasting love may be found.

A symbol of love

The spring is regarded as a symbol of love among the local Bai people who believe that two lovers committed suicide here hoping to spend eternity together. Their wish was granted after they were transformed into butterflies that return to the site every spring celebrate their enduring love when the tree flowers bloom. The spot remains important to the Bai people, who welcome spring every mid-April with song and dance at the spring. The silk tree and the Butterfly Spring have become the major tourist attractions of the Mt. Cangshan.

Other spots

In recent years, new structures have been made, such as the Butterfly Tower, the Hexagonal pavilion, the Octagonal Pavilion, the Crescent Pool and the Tower Overlooking the Lake.

Zhou Town - Bai culture

The spring is quite near to Zhou Town, which is the largest of the Bai communities and was once the imperial garden of the Dali Kingdom. Here too you can learn more of the Bai culture and visit some truly wonderful ancient buildings.

What to taste

• Barou ersi Barou ersi, one of Dali's local specialties, is made from pig's knuckle and a vegetable unique to Dali called "er cai."
• Fish
  The Lake Erhai area is famous for its fresh and plentiful fish.
• Diaomei
  Try some plums called Diaomei. The plums are preserved for months in brown sugar and honey, the sweetness from the sugar and honey contrast with the sour plum make it yummy treat.
• Three Courses of Tea
  A unique tea is the "Three Courses of Tea," which symbolically mirrors life's progress - first bitter then sweet. The first course is slightly bitter; the second course is trifle sweet (walnuts and candy are added to the tea), and the third course is unforgettable satisfying.

Souvenirs

For light travelers, there are embroidered clothing, tie-dyed scarves, Dali batik and jade jewelry. For those who like to lug around large slabs of stone, authentic Dali marble can be found everywhere. This quality marble is usually set into wood furniture, tabletops and table screen. Dali's Gantong tea, Cangshan snow tea, and Xiaguantuo tea make good gift.

Getting there

You can reach the Butterfly Spring by special cars that run from the bus stations and hotels in the city.

Recommended Time for a Visit

One hour

Attractions around » Dali, Yun Nan

Natural Scene

• Mt. Cangshan
• Butterfly Spring
• Lake Erhai

Historical Site

• Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
• Dali Ancient City

Nightlife

• Foreign Tourist Street

Shopping & Leisure

• Foreign Tourist Street

Butterfly Spring Highlights

Ancient Tea Horse Road attraction highlights

• Lijiang Old Town
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Shangri-la
• Lake Luguhu
• Yak Meadow
• Butterfly Spring
• Dali Ancient City
• Yufeng Lamastery
• Dongba Valley

city highlights

• Lhasa
• Shangri-la
• Lijiang
• Dali
• Gyangtze
• Tsetang

Lake & Spring in Great China

• West Lake
• Lake Kanas
• Lake Namtso
• Lake Qinghaihu
• Lake Yamdrok
• Huaqing Pool
• Crescent Spring
• Lake Qiandaohu
• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Lake Taihu
• Slender West Lake
• Lake Hongfenghu
• Lake Dianchi
• Lake Luguhu
• Heavenly Lake
• Butterfly Spring
• Lake Erhai
• Longsheng Hot Spring National Park
• Lake Bitahai
• Lake Shuduhu
• Lake Napahai
• Red Carp Pond
• Hupao Spring
• Black Dragon Pool
• Lake Karakuli
• Tianhe Pool
• Lake Dongtinghu
• Baotu Spring
• Lake Daminghu
• Yuquan Park
• Lake Bosten
• East Lake Scenic Area

Butterfly Spring FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When to go

  Transportation

1. A note on taxi

  Shopping

1. Always negotiate the price and make everything clear first.

  Travel

1. Can I rent a bike?
2. What are some interestng local festivals?

  Other Hints

1. Stay safe
2. Emergency Numbers
3. Useful Numbers

• When to go

  Dalii Bai Autonomous Prefecture is situated on the altiplano with low latitude, there are no severely hot summers or very cold winters. The best time to travel Dali is from March to June when the Spring is in full swing featuring enough sunshine, fresh air.

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• What are some interesting local festivals?

  March Street Festival of Bai Nationality
  Held between the fifth day and the twenty-first day of the third lunar month, the festival is one of the most magnificent folk celebrations of the Bai ethnic minority. The ceremony takes place just outside the western gate of Dali Ancient City. People come from every corner of the city at this time, dancing and singing; some trading are conducted on the spot too.

  Butterfly Fest
  It is a fest for the Bai ethnic boys and girls, held usually on the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month near the Butterfly Spring. Stones are thrown into the spring and songs are sung with the hope of finding Mr or Miss Right.

  Raosanling of Bai Nationality
  It is a grand public function of the Bai people, held on the twenty-third day of the fourth lunar month. Everyone tries to be at the function promptly. The ceremony is aimed at praying for rain before the farming season begins.

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• Stay safe

  There are a few scams and petty crime targeting tourists in Dali. Watch your belongings carefully to protect from pickpockets and theft, though perhaps the major risk you take if staying in cheap accommodation is theft by other foreign travellers. Overall Dali is a very safe place with little crime directed at tourists.

  If you are planning to hike up the Cang mountains, travel in a group both to protect yourself from robbery and as back up in case of accident.

  Drugs disguised as strange artifacts are usually sold by women in traditional Bai costume, who will then lead you to their homes. Marijuana is widespread in Dali's foreign bars but, if caught, the penalties for possession and use are severe.

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• A note on taxi

  Generally, taxis in Dali are without fare meters, but for downtown travel, it is about 6 to 7 RMB Yuan per trip, if you want to go outside the city, you should talk and fix the fare with the taxi driver, generally about 25 Yuan per trip.
  

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• Always negotiate the price and make everything clear first.

  Before you pay for any other kind of entertainment, like riding a boat on Erhai, do make sure you have made everything clear, like what costs how much, the total price, to avoid arguments or unpleasantness.

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• Can I rent a bike?

  There are bikes for rent in Dali, but you will have to show your ID and pay a certain amount of deposite. The rent fee is about 10 - 15 RMB per day.

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• Emergency Numbers

  • Fire: 119
    
  • Police: 110
    
  • Traffic: 122
    
  • Ambulance: 120

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• Useful Numbers

  • Consumer Complaint: 12315
    
  • Tourist Complaint: 2670384
    
  • Telephone Number Inquiry: 114
    
  • Weather Forecast: 121
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