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Hupao Spring is located six kilometers from Hangzhou city, at the foot of Daci (Great Compassion) Hill which stretches between the West Lake and the Qiantang River. Legend goes that there used to be a temple and a monk named Xingkong once lived in it during the Tang dynasty (618 - 907). Later, owing to lack of water, the monk had to plan to leave the temple. One night, he had a dream, in which an immortal told him two tigers would move a fountain here. As expected, in the next day, two mighty tigers from the Mt. Hengshan ran around the spot and dug a hole which caused the spring to gush forth. Hence the name Hupao Spring (Tiger Running Spring). While as a matter of fact, Hupao Spring forms as the result of underground water seeping through veins and cracks within quartz sandstone that will not be eroded by acid materials. Due to its low content of mineralized ingredients and high percentage of radon, a radioactive element, the spring water, tasting pure, sweet and cold, is an ideal beverage for health. What is more, the spring water has high surface tension. Put a coin into a bowl filled up to the rim, and the water rises three millimeters above the bowl edge, but it does not overflow. Since the ancient times, Hupao Spring and Dragon Well Tea, which born to fit each other and showcase each other's best, have been known as two wonders in the West Lake. Today, when locals pondered over all tourist attractions in Hangzhou for the new top ten scenic spots, Hupao Spring was chosen for its excellent temperament. There used to be a Buddhist monastery near Hupao Spring. Now, the spring and the temple and the surrounding twisting valley have been turned into the Hupao Spring Forest Park.
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