The Five-spring Park, lying at the foot of Gaolan Hill southeast of the city is a pretty area of mountain scenery, artificial temples and winding paths. Behind it a landscaped park rises up to 1600 meters. A climb to the summit (by chairlift) offers a panoramic view of the whole city.

The park got the name for its five crystal springs. There is a legend that Han Emperor Wudi sent General Huo Qubing to defend his northern border which was under attack by Huns in 120 B.C.. When the troops approached the Gaolan Hill with all soldiers thirsty and tired, they found that there was no water. General Huo was desperate to find the water himself, and when he whipped upon a stone with rage, five pure springs gushed out!

The springs flow to this day. The highest one is called "Amrita Spring". Legend has it that anyone who drinks the water will become eternal. Another interesting spring is called "Moziquan (Spring of Son)". It rumored that at the bottom of this 10-meter-deep cave are screes and tiles. People who retrieve the screes would get a son.

The park contains many temples and pavilions, mostly of Qing Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) origin, as well as tea-houses, art-exhibition halls and pools. Of these, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) Jingang Palace (Jingan gong) and Temple of Reverent Solemnity (Chongqing si) are the best. The first contains a magnificent 16ft bronze Buddha cast in 1370 AD, while the latter houses an ancient bronze bell, 10 feet high and weighing 5 tons, that dates back to 1202 AD.

The best time to come here would have to be during the summer months, when the temperature is almost always a few degrees cooler than the city. If action is your thing, there is an annual Temple Fair every year around mid-May (8th April by the traditional Chinese calendar). Locals celebrate with general festivity and a pretty flower exhibition. During the Spring Festival (Chun jie), the Chinese traditional New Year (near the start of February), a Lantern Festival takes place in the park.

How to get there: From the railway station, first take trolley bus No.31 or 34 and get off at Wuquan Shan, the fourth stop (alternatively bus No.8 terminates here from Jiuquan lu). Walk west to Wuquan Lu. Turn left and walk about 750m to the ticket office of Wuquan Park.
Opening hours: 6am-6pm daily.

source: CRIENGLISH.com