Location: 217 Guangzhou Rd, Drum Tower district

Tel: 83714809 Admission: Free (for reference) Business

Hours: 7:00-20:00

Transportation: take bus No 6, 43, 60, 91, 132, 152, 302, 303, 317, 318

Detailed information:

Wulongtan (dark dragon pool) Park, known as Small West Lake, is located at the foot of east Qing Liang Mountain in Nanjing. It was called Qing Shui Da Tang (a big pond of clear water) or Hibiscus Pond in the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-280). According to a legend of the Jin Dynasty (AD 265-420), there were four springs in the pool with water gushing out constantly all the year round. Four black dragons surrounded the springs, playing with the water on 19th June in a certain year. Since then, they appeared in the same place on the same day every year, hence its name.

After a number of years, the springs disappeared one after another, and the dragons never turned up again. The scenery, however, remains beautiful, with pavilions and terraces laid out exquisitely and trees and flowers growing in profusion. Because of its poetic and pictorial splendor, it has been given the name the crowning scenery of the west city.

Wulongtan Park is also known as Small West Lake. Tourists have been attracted by its secluded environment and the elegant landscapes of the mountains and rivers such as Miao Xiang (fragrance) Pavilion, Lenghua (cool flowers) Hall, Lotus Flower Study, Feiyue (full moon) Pavilion, Hut of Freeing Captive Animals, Dragon-locking Bridge, and Zhuge Liang Memorial Hall, all of which have been laid out in harmony.

In addition, there are some other special breathtaking landscapes, such as a 400-year-old laurel tree named Qing Gui, the best choice among potted plants, and the Chinese Chess Bridge recognized by Guinness as the largest chessboard in the world.

The Chelonian (turtle) Museum in the park is a wonderful world and the largest research base of chelonians in China. At present, there are 90 species of domestic and overseas chelonians, accounting for 40 percent of the world’s existing varieties. The number of living chelonians adds up to over 1,000. There are such rare species as Snake Turtle, Jade Turtle, Golden Turtle, Sycee-shaped Turtle, Russian Tortoise which is under first-class state protection, as well as the beautiful Mossback, which is also a rare species. The biggest turtle at the museum weighs more than 50 kg, while the smallest one is only a few grams.