The Water Curtain Cave of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit

The Water Curtain Cave of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit

The Water Curtain Cave

The Water Curtain Cave is the most coveted destination for visitors. Wu Cheng'en drew inspiration from this very cave when he created a highly mythological dwelling place for the early Sun Wukong in "Journey to the West." There are many Water Curtain Caves across China, but most were named after the popularity of "Journey to the West." Only this Water Curtain Cave existed before the novel gained widespread fame. In a stele inscription written by Zhang Chao-rui of Haizhou during the Ming Dynasty for the Sanyuan Palace, it was recorded that the Water Curtain Cave was a must-visit spot for pilgrims. The four large characters on the stone cliff, “高山流水” (High Mountains and Flowing Waters), were inscribed by Wang Tong, the Prefect of Haizhou, in the 23rd year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1544), at a time when "Journey to the West" had not yet been published.

The Water Curtain Cave is a natural fissure cave with an artificial tunnel leading down to a lower platform. In front of the cave entrance are many precious inscriptions. “印心石屋” (Seal Heart Stone House) was handwritten by Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty and bestowed upon Tao Shu, who held the titles of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, Minister of War, and Viceroy of Liangjiang. In the 12th year of the Daoguang reign (1832), Tao Shu was appointed to Haizhou to reform the salt administration. His reforms were highly successful, turning the imperial treasury from deficit to surplus and ushering in a brief period of national revitalization. As a result, the emperor honored him by personally inscribing the name of his study. Three years later, Tao Shu returned to Haizhou as an imperial envoy to inspect the effects of the salt reforms and initiated the renovation of temples on Mount Yuntai. Large-scale construction projects transformed the landscape of the scenic area dramatically. To commemorate his achievements, locals engraved the imperial inscription “印心石屋” next to the Water Curtain Cave. The two characters “灵泉” (Spirit Spring) were written by Shi Liangcai, the Prefect of Haizhou during the Jiaqing reign. “灵泉” refers to a small square well inside the cave. Though not large, the well contains water year-round and never dries up even in severe droughts. Folklore suggests that it is the “sea eye” leading to the Dragon Palace under the East Sea.

Address: Inside the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit 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 Mountain of Flowers and Fruit admission ticket

Huaguoshan Subdistrict: Following the 2013 administrative division adjustment, Huaguoshan Township was abolished and Huaguoshan Subdistrict was established. The Huaguoshan Subdistrict Office is located at No. 26 Huaguoshan North Road, Dacun Residents' 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, Qianyun—and the Dacun Residents' Committee.

Huaguoshan Subdistrict is located in the eastern suburban area of Xinhua District, Lianyungang City. It is named after the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit and is one of Jiangsu Province’s hundred famous towns. The Mountain of Flowers and Fruit within its jurisdiction is renowned as the “Foremost Scenic Wonder East of the Sea” and is now under the administration of Xinhua District... More detailed information about Huaguoshan Subdistrict ++