Running Tiger Dream Spring is also referred to in English as Dreaming of the Tiger Spring, Tiger Running Spring, or Tiger Spring, each name attempting to properly translate its Chinese name (Hǔ Páo Mèng Guán, 虎跑梦泉) which is literally "tiger run dream spring."

Seeping through quartzite, a rock very resistant to weathering, the water is considered to be very pure and thus held up alongside Dragon Well (Longjing) water as ideal water for making tea. While the source of the spring is protected to prevent contamination, the waters flow into a small stream through gardens where locals line up to fill jugs full of the pure, sweet water. Travelers not looking to lug heavy water jugs around for the rest of their trip can try the water with locally grown tea at a local teahouse.

According to legend, during the Tang Dynasty Zen (Chán, 禅) Buddhist master Xing Kong came to the area to teach the Dharma, but not finding any water source, he considered moving on. A deity spoke to him in a dream and told him two immortals that had changed into tigers would dig a spring from the mountain and so Running Tiger Temple (Hǔ Pǎo Sì, 虎跑寺) was founded next to the spring.

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