Quaint Black Dragon Pool Park (黑龙潭公园, Hēilóngtán Gōngyuán) is a green oasis on the northern edge of town. On a good day, the views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain make for one of southwest China's signature photo ops. Trails in the park lead up Elephant Hill (象山, Xiàngshān) to a dilapidated gazebo and then across a spiny ridge past a communications center and back down the other side, making for a nice morning hike (but bring your passport to register at Black Dragon Pool Park's entrance before you start). If you are not up for exercise, the Dongba Cultural Institute (东巴文化研究所, Dōngbā Wénhuà Yánjiūsuǒ) nearby offers a good peek into Naxi artifacts and scrolls featuring the Naxi's unique pictographic script.
The park is included in the all-encompassing Lijiang Old Town entrance ticket, but in practice this is the only place it seems to be checked.
