Zhen’an Black Dragon Pool

　　   The Black Dragon Cave is situated by the Huashui River at the junction of Shanyang and Zhen’an counties in the southern part of Shangluo. Surrounded by mountains and water, with gushing springs, the Dragon Cave, Dragon Pool, and ancient temple complement one another, while the magical landscape is steeped in beautiful and moving legends. It is said that the Black Dragon Cave is the abode of the Black Dragon King, named after the dragon’s manifestation here. Spring water pours forth from the cave year-round, flowing continuously with rolling waves, resembling a dancing coiling dragon.

　　   During the Tang and Song dynasties, there were many legends about the manifestations of the Black Dragon King. It is said that the Black Dragon King transformed into a young boy named Heiwa, and joined the refugees, eventually arriving at the Huashui River in the southeastern area of Anye County (present-day Zhen’an County) in southern Shaanxi. There, he took a liking to a piece of feng shui treasure land. To earn a worldly name, he worked as a shepherd boy for a wealthy Li family. Over time, the family noticed that the shepherd boy would bring cool water into the house to bathe every night — first just enough for a washbasin, then for a large basin, and later using a big hip bath. One evening, the young lady of the house, after putting away the dishes, noticed an unusual glow coming from the shepherd boy’s room. She quickly pulled her mother over to peek through the window, only to see a black dragon bathing — half coiled on a large table and half still in the hip bath, its body black and shiny with a purple glow, radiating radiant light. “Ah, so this shepherd boy is the Black Dragon!” That very night, the Li matriarch reported the truth to her husband. The next morning, the Li family prepared a meal to entertain the shepherd boy. During the meal, the boy asked, “I’m just your shepherd boy — why such lavish hospitality?” The old man quickly stood up and bowed: “You are the Black Dragon King. You have herded our cattle and plowed our fields for so many years. It’s just that we ordinary folks failed to recognize you. After the meal, please let us settle your wages so you can leave.” Sensing an opportunity, the Dragon King smiled and said, “I don’t want a single penny. All I ask for is the ancient cave under the bluestone cliff in front of your house and the grassy field outside the cave. I will live there from now on.” The old man readily agreed and led Heiwa to the site. In the blink of an eye, however, Heiwa disappeared. After this incident, people began calling the bluestone cave at the foot of the eastern mountain the Black Dragon Cave.

　　   A spring gushes from the Black Dragon Cave, forming a half-acre pool at the cave entrance, known as the “Black Dragon Pool.” The pool water is crystal clear and shimmering, serving as a place where worshippers offer tributes. People often throw fruits, food, cooking oil, and even coins into the pool, which are then presented inside the cave to the Black Dragon. The offerings do not float or drift, hence the name “Offering Pool.” The pool water is cool and refreshing, and visitors and worshippers often bottle it to take home for drinking, believing that regular consumption can prevent illness and promote health.

　　   In front of the Black Dragon Cave lies the meandering, vast, and sky-embracing Panlong Mountain; behind it stands the towering and majestic Lailong Mountain, stretching through ranges and valleys as far as the eye can see. To the left is the Azure Dragon, winding like a snake, and to the right the White Tiger, rising like the shape of a turtle. At the spot where the longevity turtle peeks out, there stands a thousand-year-old ancient temple — the Dragon King Temple. The temple is majestic, with a main hall consisting of three rooms facing west, built in the ancient style with exquisite craftsmanship, white-washed walls, upturned eaves, lattice doors, floral windows, and a floor of blue bricks. At the center of the hall sits the vivid statues of the Dragon King and Dragon Queen. To the north, there is a side hall with three rooms facing south, enshrining Laozi, Guanyin, and the Gods of Wealth (both civil and martial). The temple also houses a Taoist scripture hall, dining room, and guest rooms. The courtyard is spacious and open, with stone tablets and poems inscribed by literati and travelers. The scenery is delightful all year round — cool in summer, fragrant with osmanthus in autumn, and blanketed in snow in winter. The temple enjoys a constant stream of worshippers throughout the year, with large crowds of visitors on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, receiving over 100,000 tourists annually.

　　   Scenic Area Address: Within Miliang Town, Zhen’an County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province

　　   Transportation by Bus: From Zhen’an County, take a minibus heading to Miliang Town, and after arriving in Miliang Town, rent a van to reach the scenic area.

　　   Self-Driving Route: The attraction is approximately 30 kilometers from the Moon Cave in Shanyang, and is located beside the Shanyang–Zhen’an–Zhashui tourism loop road in southern Shaanxi. Zhen’an County – Lengshui River – along the Leng’an Road – Huashui River, 70 kilometers