Lijiang's old towns grew around water: springs, channels, and pools that still run through the streets. The most famous are the three-tier pools at Black Dragon Pool and the channels of Dayan. Water is managed by custom as much as engineering, and the rules are visible if you know what to look for.
In short
The three-tier pools are for drinking water, washing vegetables, and washing clothes, in that order. Do not put your hands or bottles in the upper pools. The channels are not a playground.
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The water system
Lijiang's water comes from springs and snowmelt, channelled through the old town in stone-lined canals. The flow is managed by sluices and by custom, and it serves households, restaurants, and gardens. The sound of water is one of the old town's defining features.
The three-tier pools, found at several springs, are a practical hierarchy: the top pool for drinking water, the middle for washing vegetables, and the bottom for washing clothes. The order matters because the water flows from top to bottom.
Flow varies through the year. The dry winter and spring are when the channels run lowest, and restrictions on non-essential use become more visible. After summer rain the water is louder and dirtier; locals still use the pools, but visitors should keep clear and let the flow settle.
Black Dragon Pool
Black Dragon Pool is the most famous spring area, with a clear pool, a pavilion, and views of Jade Dragon. It is also a park with temples and bridges. The water is sacred and practical at once.
The pool is a good morning walk, especially before the tour groups. The Black Dragon Pool guide covers the sights. Do not feed the fish or throw coins into the water.
Etiquette
Do not put your hands, bottles, or feet in the upper pools. Do not wash anything in the drinking tier. If you see a local using a pool, watch and follow their lead. The rules are not decorative; they are how the water stays usable.
The channels are not drains or play areas. Keep children away from the edges, and do not throw rubbish in. The old town's water is a shared resource, not a fountain.
- Drinking water is the top tier.
- Do not touch the upper pools.
- No coins or food in the water.
- Watch local usage before joining in.
Verdict
The water is the old town's spine; treat the pools as working infrastructure.
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