Niweng Cave

Niweng Cave

Chuyang Valley has three interconnected stone caves, exquisitely delicate and round as a rice sieve, also known as the "Three Openings of Yang Valley." A miracle occurs at sunrise when a beam of sunlight penetrates all three caves. Enter through "Banbi Pool," walk along a winding path, and climb stone steps.

The main cave is tall, spacious, and dome-shaped, with a flat floor. In front of the cave stands a giant rock like a screen, making the stone chamber exceptionally serene and elegant. There is a bowl-sized stone hole in the cave ceiling, said to be where ancient scholars hung their lamps for night reading.

The cave houses numerous cliff inscriptions left by literati and calligraphers since the Tang Dynasty, featuring regular, running, clerical, and seal scripts, presenting a dazzling array. The most precious is the three characters "Niweng Cave" written in small seal script by Li Yangbing, a Tang Dynasty seal script master (who once served as magistrate of Jinyun County).

Legend has it that an ancient official surnamed Ni, disgusted with worldly life, retreated here to live in seclusion but left no name. When Li Yangbing served as magistrate of Binyun County during the Tang Dynasty, he referred to him as Ni Weng and inscribed the three characters "Niweng Cave" in 759 AD on a large rock at the cave entrance. Later generations built the "Pingxu Pavilion" to protect the calligraphy, which remains undamaged and clearly legible to this day.

Shao Zhi (courtesy name Xushan), Minister of Justice in the Ming Dynasty, and Fan Xianke (courtesy name Doushan), an imperial censor, also retreated to the "Two Valleys Cave" at different times. As a result, inscriptions such as "Xushan" and "Doushan Cave Heaven" can be found on the stone walls. In April 1980, the Jinyun County Committee listed "Niweng Cave" and the cliff inscriptions in the Xiandu Scenic Area as historical relics for enhanced protection.

Other attractions at Niweng Cave include: Mouse Stealing Oil, Dufeng Academy, Wenyu Pavilion, Uncle’s Sedan Rock, and Moon Mirror Rock.

Moon Mirror Rock: Between Dongmeng Rock and the Five Elders Peak, there is a cluster of rocks resembling a group of fairies dressing up while gazing at the "Moon Mirror" on Haoshan Mountain, hence the name "Fairies Admiring Their Reflections."

Legend has it that a group of fairies felt lonely in heaven and wished to descend to the mortal world for fun. They dressed up while gazing into a mirror on Qunyu Platform, then sang and danced joyfully, with their music reaching the human realm. A monk living in the northern-facing Guigui Cave overheard the enchanting celestial music, sneakily went to the Fairy Reef to peek, and saw the fairies dancing happily. He stared in awe, transfixed, and eventually turned into stone.

Address: Chudang Mountain, Xiandu, Jinyun County, Lishui City

Type: Cave Historical Site

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Opening Hours:

7:00–17:30

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 10.0 RMB

Xiandu Subdistrict: The Xiandu Scenic Area Management Committee of Jinyun County (abbreviated as Xiandu Committee) and Xiandu Subdistrict Office share the same leadership under two names. The committee and office operate jointly, overseeing comprehensive management functions including protection, planning, development, construction, and other economic and social affairs within the Xiandu Scenic Area. The subdistrict office administers seven administrative villages, covering an area of 35.9 square kilometers. It includes one police station, one primary school, one township health center, and has a total population of 9,862 residents, with an average rural per capita income of 9,388 RMB.

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