Huaguo Mountain Water Curtain Cave in Lianyungang City

The Water Curtain Cave in Huaguo Mountain, Lianyungang City

The Water Curtain Cave, located in Huaguo Mountain in Lianyungang City, gained international fame thanks to *Journey to the West*. Wu Cheng'en drew inspiration from this cave, using it as the setting for the early adventures of Sun Wukong in the novel, which he imbued with strong mythological elements. As a result, there are many Water Curtain Caves across China, but most were named after the popularity of *Journey to the West*, with only this one existing before the novel became widely known. A stone tablet inscription by Zhang Chaorui of Haizhou from the Ming Dynasty, commemorating the Sanyuan Temple, noted that the Water Curtain Cave was a must-visit site for pilgrims. The four large characters “高山流水” (“High Mountains and Flowing Water”) carved on the cave wall were inscribed by Wang Tong, the prefect of Haizhou, in the 23rd year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1544), long before *Journey to the West* was published. The Water Curtain Cave is a natural fissure cave with an artificial tunnel leading to a lower platform. In front of the cave entrance are many valuable inscriptions. Among them, “印心石屋” (“Seal Heart Stone House”) was handwritten by Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty and bestowed upon Tao Shu, who held titles including Assistant Grand Secretary, Minister of War, and Viceroy of Liangjiang. It is said that in the 12th year of the Daoguang era (1832), Tao Shu was appointed to reform the salt administration in Haizhou. His reforms were remarkably successful, turning the imperial treasury from deficit to surplus and ushering in a brief period of prosperity. In recognition, the emperor honored him with the inscription of his study’s name. Three years later, Tao Shu returned to Haizhou as an imperial envoy to inspect the results of the salt reforms and initiated restoration work on the temples of Mount Yuntai. Extensive construction transformed the scenic area dramatically. To commemorate his achievements, locals placed the imperial calligraphy “印心石屋” near the Water Curtain Cave. The two characters “灵泉” (“Spirit Spring”) were written by Shi Liangcai, the prefect of Haizhou during the Jiaqing era. “Spirit Spring” refers to a small square well inside the cave. Though modest in size, the well contains water year-round and never dries up even in severe droughts. Legend has it that it is the “sea eye” leading to the Dragon Palace of the East Sea.

Address: Inside Huaguo Mountain Scenic Area, Xinhua District, Lianyungang City

Type: Cave Waterfall

Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0518-85722818

Opening Hours:

Peak season (March 1 – November 30): 7:00–19:00; Off-season (December 1 – February 29 of the following year): 7:30–19:00

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Huaguo Mountain ticket

Huaguo Mountain Subdistrict: Following the 2013 administrative division adjustment, Huaguo Mountain Township was abolished and replaced with Huaguo Mountain Subdistrict Office. The office is located at No. 26 Huaguo Mountain North Road, Dacun Residential Committee, with an administrative area of 39.7 square kilometers, a population of 20,800, and jurisdiction over seven village committees (Xintan, Danglu, Feiquan, Qianjin, Xincun, Xiaocun, and Qianyun) and one residential committee (Dacun).

Huaguo Mountain Subdistrict is situated in the eastern suburban area of Xinhua District, Lianyungang City. Named after Huaguo Mountain, it is recognized as one of Jiangsu Province’s hundred famous towns. The area is home to Huaguo Mountain, renowned as the “Foremost Scenic Wonder of the East Sea,” and is currently under the administration of Xinhua District… More details about Huaguo Mountain Subdistrict ++