In the wider region around Changping, the Baifu Spring represents a history in which water supply, grain transport, and canal shipping are intertwined. During the Yuan dynasty, it fed the Tonghui section of the Grand Canal and was the source of the canal between Beijing and Hangzhou. It was part of a water-supply project for shipping to the Yuan capital, Dadu. If you’re looking for a hotel in Changping, this regional focus can help you choose the theme of your stay: alongside historic buildings, the area also offers a look at the engineering and landscape associated with water management.

Temples and traces of water history

The Dulongwang Temple was built on Longshan during the middle of the Yuan dynasty to protect the water source and stabilize grain transport. It is Beijing’s only imperially built Dragon King Temple whose name begins with the character “都.” Behind the temple is a stele bearing the name “龙泉岛,” along with six commemorative steles from the Ming and Qing dynasties. They describe repairs to the temple and prayers for rain.

The murals in Dulongwang Temple also focus on water: they depict people searching for water during a drought, with wells dried up. They are thought to date from around the end of the Qing dynasty to the beginning of the Republic of China, and have been restored. Together with the steles, they convey different aspects of the site: one group recalls temple repairs and prayers, while the other depicts a specific hardship. The historical importance of the water source can thus be explored not only through canal construction, but also through religious and visual records.

Canal history at Grand Canal Source Ruins Park

Grand Canal Source Ruins Park preserves the memory of the water supply used to transport grain at the northern end of the Grand Canal during the Yuan dynasty. Named points of interest include “运河源” (Canal Source), “引水台” (Water Diversion Platform), “聆泉处” (Spring Listening Place), and “读泉圃” (Spring Reading Garden). The exhibition on the historical culture of the Grand Canal presents the story of Guo Shoujing’s water-diversion system for grain transport through interactive multimedia screens, question-and-answer features, and holographic projections.

Longquan Chan Temple was rebuilt in the 1980s on the site of the former temple, retaining its original layout and architectural arrangement. The exhibition on the history and cultural significance of the Grand Canal comprises three main rooms. The north and south side halls also house the “山水清影汇名胜美术展厅” art exhibition and a classroom for study programs at Longshan Academy. Alongside the historical narrative, these spaces place a distinct emphasis on art and learning.

Water landscapes and planning your visit

Kowloon Pool is a rectangular basin that collects water from Baifu Spring. Stone dragon-shaped water spouts are set into its walls. The recreated “龙泉漱玉” scene at Kowloon Pool depicts water flowing from the mouths of nine dragons. The layout of Grand Canal Source Ruins Park is also connected to water and landscape: it was joined with Changping New Town’s Riverside Forest Park to create a setting shaped by mountains and water.

A total of 63.16 hectares is planned for the park; the first construction phase covered 11.6 hectares and opened in April 2023. Check current local regulations before visiting. When choosing where to stay, the difference in themes may be helpful: the temples, steles, and murals tell stories of faith and water supply, while the park, exhibition, and basin highlight the history of the canal and its landscape design.

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