Emperor Valley Scenic Area of Mount Yiwu

Emperor Valley Scenic Area of Mount Yiwu

The Emperor Valley Scenic Area is located in the middle section of Qijia Mountain, a branch range of Mount Yiwu, stretching from E'tou Peak to Wangchenggang in the southwest of Guangning Township, Beizhen. It neighbors other scenic spots of Mount Yiwu such as the Great Guanyin Pavilion, Yuquan Temple, and Dayangzhao. Surrounded by mountains on all sides with a strategically rugged terrain and beautiful scenery, it is one of the major Buddhist activity sites. The scenic area contains two rare large natural caves in China—one above and one below. The upper cave houses the Reversed-Seated Guanyin, which became famous across northern Hebei for its extraordinary efficacy and responsiveness to prayers. Historical inscriptions indicate that the Guanyin Cave temple of Shuanglong Temple was first built in the early Tang Dynasty and flourished during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian. Further historical records state that in the early Liao Dynasty, Yelü Bei, the Eastern Tan Prince and heir to the Liao throne, lived in seclusion at Wanghaitang and once hid troops in the Guanyin Cave to guard against potential harm from his younger brother, Emperor Taizong Yelü Deguang. Hence, during the Liao Dynasty, the Guanyin Cave in Emperor Valley was referred to as the “Troop-Hiding Cave.” In November of the fourth year of the Qianheng era (982 AD) of Emperor Jingzong of Liao, the Qianzhou City was established near Emperor Valley, and its ruins can still be found today. Since its establishment in the early Tang Dynasty, the Guanyin Cave temple of Emperor Valley has undergone renovations through the Liao, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties, and the Republican period, boasting a history of over 1,400 years. Today, the Emperor Valley Scenic Area has restored the ancient architecture of both the upper and lower caves of the Guanyin Cave, along with the statue of the Jade Guanyin. Additional structures such as the mountain gate, lotus pond, Chanmo Zhai Lay Buddhists’ Forest, the God of Wealth Hall, and the 0 Hall have been constructed. The site officially opened to tourists in 2009.

The Wonder of the Two Guanyin Caves

The Emperor Valley Scenic Area is famed for its two ancient natural caves in the upper courtyard. The upper cave faces south and north, with a cave entrance 5 meters high, 15 meters wide, and 10 meters deep. Inside, the cave is ancient, serene, and luminous, with flowing ice-cold water, a climate that is warm in winter and cool in summer, and free from insect disturbances—making it an ideal spot for exploration. Originally, there was a slanted cave inside about half the size of a room, extending deep beyond sight. Ancient legends claimed that “the front cave connects to the back cave,” suggesting this slanted tunnel could lead directly to Daoguyin (the Great Stone Shed) in the Da'ge Scenic Area. However, the cave entrance has been sealed, leaving this unverifiable. The cave once housed a main hall consisting of three rooms with a flush-gable wooden frame structure. Inside was enshrined a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva facing north—uniquely reversed compared to the usual south-facing orientation, hence known as the Reversed-Seated Guanyin, rare throughout the nation. The walls on both sides of the hall originally featured large murals. The lower cave faces west and east, only 70 meters away from the upper cave, resembling sister caves that face each other from afar. Its entrance is 8 meters high, 20 meters wide, and 5 meters deep, shaped like a trumpet—wide at the mouth and narrow inside, capturing sunlight while blocking wind. In front of the cave lies a 25-meter-long and 7-meter-wide platform built with granite. Originally, three ancient pine trees grew on the platform: two serving as “gate-facing pines” and one as a “single-incense pine,” all destroyed during the -era. Standing on the platform and looking east, the ancient city of Guangning is fully visible; looking closer, you see stretches of orchards and seas of green pines. The cave once contained a main hall three rooms wide, measuring 9 meters in width and 6 meters in depth, with a single-eave flush-gable roof.

The hall once held clay Buddhist statues, with murals on both walls. On the northern cliff of the main hall, there is an arched niche housing a Buddha statue, now lost, leaving only the base. Since the early Tang Dynasty, legends of Guanyin Bodhisattva’s manifestations around the Guanyin Cave have been frequent. As a result, Shuanglong Temple has long been one of the more popular temples in the area with flourishing incense offerings. The Guanyin Cave is also as renowned as the 0 Cave of Qingyan Temple, giving rise to the saying “The 0 Cave is in the south, the Guanyin Cave is in the north.” To fulfill the wishes of devoted worshippers, Shuanglong Temple invested heavily to bring a Jade “Child-Giving Guanyin” statue from Xiuyan, symbolizing the enduring incense tradition and blessing the local community.

Xiuyu Jade Reveals Guanyin

In the lower courtyard of the Guanyin Cave in Emperor Valley, a piece of Xiuyu jade weighing fourteen tons stands at the center of the cave. This jade material was custom-ordered by Mr. Geng, Chairman of Emperor Valley Tourism Development Co., Ltd., from a jade factory in Xiuyan. Initially, Mr. Geng did not favor this piece, taking only casual mobile phone photos around it. When he returned to the company and casually browsed the images, he was astonished to find that the jade displayed a vivid image of the Child-Giving Guanyin—the benevolent Bodhisattva holding a child in her right hand, her left hand folded, lifelike and exquisitely detailed.

Mr. Geng immediately called Boss Gao Yong of the jade factory and, without even asking the price, said, “I’ll take that fourteen-ton piece of jade.”

Workers from Xiuyan Julong Jade Factory endured a long and arduous journey to transport the jade revealing the “Child-Giving Guanyin” image to the Guanyin Cave in Emperor Valley. Under the meticulous carving of skilled artisans, the jade, displaying the image of the Child-Giving Guanyin, was completed and enshrined on May 1, 2009. This marked yet another grand celebration in the millennium-old history of Mount Yiwu. Upon hearing the Buddhist joyous news, devotees spread the word eagerly. A celestial omen had descended upon Emperor Valley, and when the Jade Guanyin statue was consecrated, all were welcome to share in the Dharma joy.

Generals Cross at Twin Dragons

On the cliff of the upper courtyard of the Guanyin Cave in Emperor Valley is embedded a merit stele from the 20th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1592). Suspended on the cliff, the stele was spared from war plundering, though a rifle bullet left a round hole in the upper right corner, with cracks causing some inscriptions to blur. The stone is dark purple sedimentary sandstone, 15 centimeters thick, 1.2 meters square, containing a total of 210 characters. The inscription describes General Li, who “refused marriage for thirty years, dedicated himself to Buddhist practice, shaved his head, and entered the mountain temple, adopting the title Shuanglong (Twin Dragons).” This eminent monk “practiced diligently for over 30 years” and built Shuanglong Temple, which was thus named after his dharma name. Due to bullet damage and over 400 years of weathering, part of the inscription “the virtuous monk Xing Ben, also known as Guangning □ Marquis Li □□ Bo” is missing three characters, shrouding the true identity of this monk Shuanglong in mystery.

Liao Dynasty Ancient Stone Carvings

In the Guanyin Cave Valley at the north lower courtyard of Emperor Valley, beneath the northwest side of the northern ridge in the Fairy Valley, five well-preserved Liao Dynasty stone-carved Buddha statues remain. These statues are approximately 2 meters tall and 5 meters wide, with three seated and two standing figures: Sakyamuni Buddha (center), Amitabha Buddha (left), Bhaisajyaguru Buddha (right), and the disciples Ānanda and Kāśyapa (standing on either side of Sakyamuni). The carvings are exquisite, lifelike, with remaining coloration and clear details—representing the best-preserved Liao Dynasty cliff carvings within the city.

The Beauty of Stone Lake in the West Mountains

Northwest of Emperor Valley, atop a high mountain, lies the renowned Stone Lake Mountain. At its summit is a natural stone lake known as West Stone Lake. The lake retains water year-round, and during the rainy season, rainwater and spring flows gather to create clear waters with murmuring sounds. Reeds flourish along the shores while birds and insects sing—a breathtaking view.

The Secluded Valley of Lingquan Mountain

The Guanyin Cave Valley in Emperor Valley stretches 5 li from east to west. Towering, lush trees line both banks, with abundant grass and the occasional chirps of birds and insects adding to the serenity. Within the valley lies an ageless mountain spring, flowing continuously for thousands of years—never freezing in winter, cool in summer, exceptionally clear and sweet. During the rainy season, the spring water runs crystal-clear through the valley, teeming with plump fish and shrimp—truly a blessed land of verdant hills and pristine waters.

Strange Rocks Across the Land

The surroundings of Emperor Valley feature strangely shaped rocks dotting the landscape—some resembling turtles lying on mountain ridges; others like human feet sprouting atop peaks. On the southwestern ridge of the Guanyin Cave, a peak formed naturally from several uniquely shaped massive boulders rises precariously atop the ridge, dubbed the Falling Rock Peak. On the northern ridge of the valley stands a giant rock approximately 15 meters high, 18 meters long, and 3 meters wide, resembling a huge dragon head perched atop the mountain, gazing toward Yuquan Lake as if yearning to return to the water—dubbed the “Azure Dragon Gazing at Yuquan.” Upon close inspection, its resemblance is strikingly lifelike, a true marvel of nature’s craftsmanship.

The Emperor Valley Scenic Area boasts beautiful landscapes and peculiar peaks, surrounded by ancient towering trees that enhance the serenity of its unique caves. On sunny days, sunlight bathes the ancient pines, making them vividly green; on cloudy days, mountain mists swirl, giving an ethereal, immortal-like aura, with mountaintops seemingly floating above the clouds as if immortals or Buddhas were appearing. After rain, the mountains appear fresh and green, with streams babbling. In spring, pear blossoms blanket the valley like snow, competing with peach and apricot blooms; in summer, lush trees and fragrant wildflowers attract bees and butterflies undisturbed by visitors; in autumn, ripe fruits fill the air with fragrance, leaves turn golden, and the scenery is overwhelmingly beautiful; in deep winter, snow blankets the land in crystalline splendor, with mountains resembling glass pagodas and trees like white-bearded sages.

The Emperor Valley Scenic Area is rich in historic relics and picturesque peaks. With further development, the timeless spiritual presence of the Reversed-Seated Guanyin and the serene beauty of its natural caves will become a prime destination for pilgrims and explorers. This attraction will also shine as a stunning highlight along the journey through Mount Yiwu.

Address: Guanyin Cave Village, Guangning Township, Beizhen City

Phone: 0416-6608077

Transportation: Bus from Beizhen to National Forest Park

Tips:

1. Best travel season: March to November

2. Dining: Dayangzhao Mountain City

3. Nearby accommodation: Dayangzhao Mountain City Farmhouse & Qianshan Hotel

4. Nearby Attractions: 6 km from the Great Guanyin Pavilion Scenic Area, 5 km from the National Forest Park Scenic Area

On the cliff face of the upper courtyard of the Guanyin Cave in the Emperor’s Valley, there is a merit stele engraved in the 29th year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty (1592). Because the stele is embedded in the cliff, it was spared from war and looting—though a rifle bullet struck the upper right corner, leaving a round bullet hole. The surrounding area shows signs of shattering, causing some inscriptions to become blurred. The stone is a dark purple sedimentary sandstone, 15 cm thick, square with sides of 1.2 meters, and contains a total of 210 characters. The inscription describes General Li, who “refused to marry for thirty years, aspired to a monastic life, shaved his head, and entered the mountain temple, taking the name Shuanglong (Twin Dragons).” This eminent monk “practiced asceticism for over thirty years” to build the Shuanglong Temple, which was named after his dharma name. Due to bullet damage and over four hundred years of weathering, the phrase “the virtuous monk Xingben, who was also the Guangning □ Marquis Li □□ Bo,” is missing three characters, leaving the true identity of this eminent monk Shuanglong shrouded in mystery.

Guangning Subdistrict: Guangning Township was formed by merging the former Guangning Township and Wangjiaba Township, and is the third largest township in Beizhen. Located in the suburban-rural fringe at the foot of the famous Yiwulvshan Mountain in Beizhen, the township wraps closely around the ancient city of Beizhen and boasts rich historical and cultural resources. National Highway 102 runs through the township, providing convenient transportation. The land here is fertile, with a total area of 113.9 square kilometers, including 5,516 hectares of arable land, 1,500 hectares of forested land, and 2,082 hectares of orchard land. The total population is 36,000, of which 35,000 are agricultural residents. There are 15,000 agricultural laborers... More detailed information about Guangning Subdistrict ++

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