The Regal Riding Crane is a good reminder that a bird mount does not have to fill the sky to stand out. Its long legs and elegant silhouette suit Pandaria’s quieter landscapes, and the acquisition is a reputation purchase rather than a bird-taming event.

The important caution is using Retail instructions. The Golden Lotus’s original launch-era daily campaign and its quartermaster location changed, so an old route to the Golden Pagoda can send you to the wrong place.

Quick Answer

Earn Golden Lotus Exalted, then buy Reins of the Regal Riding Crane from Jaluu the Generous in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. In Retail, find him at your faction shrine: Shrine of Seven Stars, approximately 84.2, 62.8 for Alliance, or Shrine of Two Moons, approximately 63.2, 22.1 for Horde.

The base cost is 1,500 gold, normally 1,200 gold at Exalted. This is a still-obtainable ground mount. Read the full item name, buy it, and use the reins.

Mount Overview

This Mists of Pandaria collectible is part of the Golden Lotus crane family. The teaching item is 87783, separate from the Azure and Golden Riding Crane items.

The bird’s appearance and the journal’s poetic description should not be treated as flying instructions. Regal Riding Crane uses ground movement; collecting it does not unlock another flying bird.

How to Earn Golden Lotus Reputation in Retail

Check existing standing and the Vale’s timeline

If your character is already Exalted, skip the reputation work and visit Jaluu. Otherwise, work in the historical Vale before the Black Empire assaults when following the older Pandaria reputation routes.

Zidormi above Mogu’shan Palace, near the Seat of Knowledge, can change the Vale’s timeline. Use that option if the relevant enemies or shrine merchant are missing in the assault version.

Farm the western Vale’s mogu

A repeatable Retail route is killing reputation-bearing mogu in the western Vale, around the Guo-Lai area. Check the reputation messages on your first kills so you know the enemies are awarding Golden Lotus progress.

These enemies can drop Ancient Guo-Lai Cache Keys. Take the keys into Guo-Lai Halls and use them on the appropriate caches in the western section. Loot the contents and use any Golden Lotus reputation items you receive.

The distinction matters: the mount is guaranteed at the vendor, but keys and individual cache contents are not guaranteed from every enemy. Continue ordinary reputation-bearing kills while treating the extra items as additional progress.

Add the correct insignias if you have them

Zandalari Warscouts and Warbringers can drop Stolen Golden Lotus Insignia. Use those for Golden Lotus reputation. Other faction insignias from the same enemies advance different reputations.

This is useful when already hunting Pandaria rares. It is not necessary to wait on contested rare spawns if you prefer the repeatable western Vale farm.

Buy and use the commendation at Revered

At Revered, purchase Grand Commendation of the Golden Lotus from Jaluu and use it. The 100% reputation bonus helps with subsequent progress to Exalted and applies across your warband.

The item needs to be activated, not merely carried. Do this before consuming remaining insignias or completing more reputation work when possible.

Where to Buy the Regal Crane

Jaluu’s Retail locations are by the faction shrines:

• Alliance: the lower level of Shrine of Seven Stars, around 84.2, 62.8.
• Horde: the lower level of Shrine of Two Moons, around 63.2, 22.1.

His old position outside Mogu’shan Palace belongs to an earlier Vale setup and appears in Classic-era instructions. Do not search the original palace pool indefinitely when following a Retail guide.

At Exalted, buy the Regal reins and learn them from your bags. Azure and Golden Riding Cranes are separate choices in the same broader reward group.

Requirements and Farming Tips

You need Golden Lotus Exalted, the gold, access to the merchant, and normal ground-riding conditions. Both factions can obtain the mount. No Cooking, Archaeology, PvP rating, or raid clear is required.

The old Golden Pagoda daily campaign is not the current Retail reputation routine. Some activities remain around the Setting Sun Garrison, but do not rely on a launch-era daily sequence that was removed or relocated.

Use the character with existing Golden Lotus progress. Keep cache keys and usable insignias organized, check the actual reputation panel, and activate the Grand Commendation promptly.

Do not mistake an Exalted tabard for a dungeon championing tool. The Golden Lotus Tabard does not supply the same acquisition route as a Cataclysm reputation tabard such as Ramkahen’s.

Is Regal Riding Crane Still Obtainable?

Yes. It remains a permanent Golden Lotus vendor reward in Retail. It does not require a monthly Trading Post appearance or participation in Pandaria Remix.

Changes to the original Golden Lotus quest campaign did not remove the mount purchase. They changed how you approach reputation and where you find the quartermaster.

Is It Worth Collecting?

For a collector who likes unusual ground silhouettes, the crane offers something different from another horse or wolf. Golden Lotus Exalted also opens the other crane purchases, making the reputation useful for a family collection.

My verdict is to pursue it when the appearance appeals or when you already have substantial reputation. The work is repeatable and the final reward predictable, even though bonus reputation items involve random drops.

Collection Value

Its tall, light-footed outline pairs well with less bulky outfits and Pandaria-themed equipment. Preview it on your main character; the appeal comes from the whole silhouette rather than a large wing effect.

Similar Mounts

• Azure Riding Crane: another Golden Lotus purchase for a different color preference.
• Golden Riding Crane: the other permanent quartermaster crane to compare.
• White Riding Goat: a separate Pandaria reputation reward for a similarly understated ground-mount collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Regal Riding Crane fly?

No. It is a ground mount.

Which reputation unlocks it?

Golden Lotus at Exalted.

What is the normal Exalted price?

1,200 gold from the 1,500-gold base price.

Where is Jaluu in Retail?

At the lower level of your faction shrine in the Vale.

Why is the old palace marker empty?

That position reflects an earlier Vale setup. Use the shrine location.

What should I do with Guo-Lai keys?

Open the appropriate caches in Guo-Lai Halls and use reputation items you loot.

Does the commendation work just by carrying it?

No. Buy it at Revered and use it.

Is the mount itself a random drop?

No. Exalted reputation unlocks a guaranteed vendor purchase.

Final Thoughts

Farm the correct Vale reputation, use the commendation, and visit Jaluu at the shrine. Keeping Retail’s changed locations and reputation routes in mind makes the crane a manageable collecting project.