Three Hidden Pools

Three Hidden Pools

Three Hidden Pools is located about five li northwest of Xuedou Temple. The mountain stream flows from Dong’ao Village into the cliff mouth, turning into a waterfall; then it cascades down the mountainside to the foot of the mountain, forming three-tiered waterfalls. Hence the name Three Hidden Pools. Stretching over 1,600 meters in length, from high to low, they are respectively called: Upper Hidden Pool, Middle Hidden Pool, and Lower Hidden Pool. The Upper Hidden Pool is known for its seclusion and peril; the Middle Hidden Pool stands out for its elegance, and the Lower Hidden Pool is famed for its unique beauty. Although these three hidden pools are situated deep in the mountains and valleys, making access challenging, “good wine needs no bush,” and visitors continue to flock here.

The Song Dynasty poet Mei Yaochen’s poem “Three-Tiered Pool” beautifully captures the scenery of the Three Hidden Pools: “A waterfall spills from the mountaintop, falling like cold jade; it drops again at the waist of the jade mountain, and a third time to the mountain’s foot; one wishes to draw it to boil spring mountain tea, where monks have set up bamboo pipes.” Chiang Kai-shek firmly believed in the local legend that dragons lived in the Three Hidden Pools. Whenever he returned to his hometown of Xikou and stayed at “Miaogaotai” or “Xuedou Temple,” he would visit the Three Hidden Pools and bow before the statue of the Old Dragon. Once, he brought his grandson Chiang Hsiao-wen to the Dragon King Temple at the Three Hidden Pools, lit candles and incense, and knelt in prayer. Seeing his grandfather so devout, Chiang Hsiao-wen asked with a smile, “Grandpa, are there really dragons? Have you ever seen one?” Looking at his grandson, Chiang Kai-shek replied, “Dragons are celestial beings. The ones you can see aren’t real dragons.”

The area features a unique natural environment—sheer cliffs, howling mountain winds, and a chilling atmosphere. Standing by the pools, visitors gaze into the deep emerald waters, feeling awe and mystery. Timid visitors might even believe there are dragons in the pools. In reality, the waters of the Hidden Pools surge forth from three cliff mouths, tumbling into three waterfalls. Beneath the falls lie pools that seem unfathomably deep, hence the names “Upper Hidden Pool,” “Middle Hidden Pool,” and “Lower Hidden Pool.”

To reach the bottom of the Upper Hidden Pool, visitors follow 216 stone steps carved down the cliff, resembling a heavenly ladder. The flowing water is flanked by towering boulders, steep cliffs, and deep gullies. Moss blankets the rocks, and pine trees stand firmly along the edges. A stone bridge spans above the pool as the waterfall pours down the cliff, over 40 meters high. The water forms linear streams, crashing against the cliffs with thunderous echoes. At the valley bottom and on the bridge, mist fills the air, steam rises, creating a refreshing sensation.

A li downhill from the Upper Hidden Pool lies the “Middle Hidden Pool.” Dense foliage shades the mountain stream. The creek bed is strewn with jagged rocks, uneven and peculiar. The water winds around the rocks, twisting and turning, battling through countless obstacles before bursting through the rocky layers. Then, it surges forcefully out of the cliff mouth, shooting eastward and forming an elegant waterfall. Mountain breezes scatter the water spray in all directions, blurring the line between mist and rain, presenting a scene full of poetic charm.

A 500-meter descent from the Middle Hidden Pool brings you to the Lower Hidden Pool. Here, massive boulders are piled up, crisscrossing and stacking over an area of more than ten square meters. Among them stands a stone bamboo shoot peak, over 20 meters tall. The peak looms above the pool while the deep pool lies beneath, each visible halfway. The pool water flows from two cliff mouths, forming two natural waterfalls, locally called the “Mandarin Duck Waterfalls.” This pair of mandarin ducks seems deeply affectionate, their waters swirling and reluctant to part in the pool before rushing into the falls. When the sunset glows brilliantly, the scene resembles a pair of mandarin ducks dancing in the sky, inseparable and exquisitely beautiful.

Address: Xikou Scenic Area, beside Provincial Highway 33, northwest of Fenghua City, Ningbo

Type: Waterfall & Lake

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Opening Hours:

8:20-17:00

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Xuedou Mountain Scenic Area ticket.