Closer Look at the Five Phoenix Pavillion 五凤楼 at Black Dragon Pool 黑龙潭
The Five Phoenix Pavillion isn’t that large, however it has a nice location at the foot of Elephant Hill. This gives the structures at the rear of the temple complex a little more elevation. There isn’t much view to see from this place but it was still a good place for me. Most especially since it was already raining quite hard. This was the rainy season here in Yunnan and I have been hounded by rain ever since I visited Shangrila town further up north. The pavilion here served as a villa of the ruling Mu chieftain, who has a palace in Lijiang Ancient Town itself. This place probably serves as a retreat for the chieftain as no doubt that the town was just as busy as it is right now.
Memorial to He Zhiqiang 和志强 at the Five Phoenix Pavillion 五凤楼 at Black Dragon Pool 黑龙潭
Interestingly, the main pavilion itself seems to now house a tribute to one of it more well known residents, He Zhiqiang 和志强, whose bust is prominently displayed here. He is a Naxi minority and joined the Communist Party and occupied several positions there. He died in 2007 and his remains are now housed here. Though it wasn’t really very obvious apart from the large head here. There were also several photos taken of this man doing his work. It seems that it was quite beloved but it was hard to tell just by looking at the photos. I had to hang around at the main pavilion as the rain was already coming down. I was thinking how the rain can hopefully improve the water levels of the Black Dragon Pool but looking at the cracked earth it might take a little more time.
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