Dreaming of the Tiger Spring, Natural spring in Hupao Valley, Hangzhou, China
Dreaming of the Tiger Spring is a natural spring in southwestern Hangzhou featuring stone carvings of two tigers and a sleeping monk statue near clear water sources. The site includes several small pools and shaded areas surrounded by bamboo groves and older trees.
The spring gained prominence in 819 when monk Huangzhong discovered water following a dream about tigers digging at the location. This discovery established the site as spiritually significant within the region's religious and cultural landscape.
The water here serves as a vital ingredient for making Longjing tea, a regional specialty deeply connected to local life and traditions. You can see how this tea shapes daily practices and gatherings among people in the area.
The site opens daily and is easily accessible on foot with well-maintained paths throughout the park. Visitors enter through the main entrance where information about the area is available.
Chinese characters spelling the spring's name are preserved on site, created by calligrapher Tan Daoyi. These ancient inscriptions reveal how writing and nature were interwoven in traditional Chinese practice.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
