Wild Crane Pool

Wild Crane Pool

　Not far from Ninghai’s urban area lies the Wild Crane Pool scenic spot, where you’ll find waterfalls, flowing springs, serene mountain paths, wildflowers covering the hillsides, birds chirping melodiously, and colorful butterflies fluttering about — making it a perfect weekend getaway.

The Wild Crane Pool scenic area is situated in a tributary upstream of the Huangtan Reservoir, west of Ninghai. It features rich natural landscapes, including a 2.5-kilometer stretch of waterfalls and pools, 18 cascading waterfalls, and 36 dragon pools — varying in pace, width, and depth, creating a vibrant and diverse scenery. This is the most densely concentrated waterfall and pool cluster in eastern Zhejiang, with the canyon area highlighted by its spectacular waterfall and pool views.

Legend has it that this valley is the home of wild cranes and is rich in flora and fauna. In spring, the hillsides are covered with blooming flowers while bees and butterflies flutter about; in autumn, yellow chrysanthemums and red leaves abound, accompanied by the calls of wild geese. The scenic area is crisscrossed with valleys, rugged yet exquisitely beautiful, dense with trees and tranquil in atmosphere, making it an ideal place for families or small groups of friends to enjoy tea, chat, and unwind. The valley air is fresh, the climate cool and pleasant, and the surroundings feature thousands of acres of bamboo forests, verdant mountains, cascading waterfalls, flowing springs, and picturesque landscapes.

The mountain paths wind along, accompanied by the gentle sound of springs. Mountain streams and waterfall pools accompany you as you walk and admire the natural scenery. Wild Crane Pool is divided into six scenic zones: Idle Cloud Stream, Wild Crane Stream, Cloud Crane Flat, Wild Boar Head, and Dingshan.

Idle Cloud Stream serves as the main entrance and exit for visitors, featuring hotels, restaurants, management offices, shopping promenades, parking lots, and public restrooms. The entrance is located at Longtan Gorge, where a clean pebble beach has been turned into a natural swimming and surfing area, as well as a leisure plaza equipped with tea stands and waterfall-viewing pavilions. Cloud Crane Flat not only includes various facilities for vacationing and leisure but also highlights the Taoist cultural area, emphasizing Wild Crane Pool’s role as the birthplace of Taoism — featuring structures such as Taoist temples, Tai Chi diagrams, and fitness rooms. Wild Boar Head and Dingshan maintain their pristine ecology, with developed areas including resorts, zoos, botanical gardens, orchards, and tea plantations, offering visitors a rich green environment and organic food.