Purple Cloud Cave

Purple Cloud Cave

Purple Cloud Cave is located on the mountainside of Chicheng Mountain, commonly known as the Lower Rock. The cave entrance is inscribed with the three characters “Chicheng Sunset Glow” (赤城霞), remnants of the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era. The cave is 10 meters high and deep, and 30 meters wide. Precarious rocks hang from the cave ceiling, jutting out as if about to fall, yet they stand solid as a rock. Water drips from the edge of the cave rock, melting like snow, flowing year-round. Drinking it is said to refresh the mind and cleanse the spirit.

The mountain gate of Purple Cloud Cave faces east, with a gracefully flowing plaque bearing the name “Purple Cloud Cave” hung above. Inside the gate lies a courtyard spanning over 200 square meters, shaded by ancient cypresses, dotted with blooming flowers and lush greenery, creating an exceptionally serene atmosphere. The main hall faces south and is built against the cave wall, shining bright golden yellow, dazzling to the eye. On the corridor in front of the hall stand two stone steles. One is inscribed with “Emperor Jianwen’s Winter Retreat Site.” The other is a stele of the Ming Dynasty poet Yang Wencong’s “Ode to Chicheng” (赤城赋), handwritten by Chen Hanshan. The cave enshrines the Buddha Sakyamuni and the Bodhisattva Guanyin. With morning bells and evening drums, the incense burning here is thriving.

[Middle Rock Temple]

During the Jin Xingning era (363–365), the eminent monk Tanyou from Dunhuang traveled thousands of miles to reach Purple Cloud Cave. He built the Middle Rock Temple here against the cave, and it has a history of over 1,600 years.

Legend says that when Tanyou meditated here, tigers and snake spirits repeatedly tried to harm him, but were ultimately restrained by his Buddhist power and dared not approach, eventually fleeing elsewhere. The temple flourished during the Song and Tang dynasties. Both the Sixth Patriarch Zhang’an and the Ninth Patriarch Zhanran of the Tiantai School once preached here.

Currently, there are a dozen or so two-story buildings, making it a well-known nunnery in Zhejiang Province. Its yellow walls and blue tiles are tucked away among ancient cypresses, pines, and bamboos, presenting a solemn and tranquil ambiance.

[Reclining Buddha Rock]

At the high eastern end of Purple Cloud Cave lies a small cave, originally the meditation site of Master Tanyou. It later became known as “Reclining Buddha Rock” after the Fifth Dynasty’s Southern Qi monk Huiming enshrined a reclining Buddha here. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the reclining Buddha was damaged. In memory of the 500 brave warriors from the Qi State during the Warring States period—including Tian Heng—who refused to submit to Qin and chose to jump into the sea, the locals changed the shrine to worship the “Five Hundred Heroes,” calling it the “Five Hundred Heroes Hall.”

During the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister Qi Zhaonan inscribed a plaque for the “Five Hundred Heroes Hall” with the words “Righteous and Noble Scholars.” Now, a 3.1-meter-long reclining Buddha has been restored and enshrined here.

[Standing in Snow Spot]

Connected to Reclining Buddha Rock is another small cave, with its entrance facing a red-hued pool and windows opening onto green treetops. Clean and lovely, it is called “Standing in Snow Spot.” This spot was where the Qing Dynasty’s Ministry of Rites Vice Minister Qi Zhaonan studied before retiring from office. Locals in the past called it “Residence Spot,” believing that if a scholar could study here for a month, they would surely pass the imperial examinations and become patriotic, people-loving officials.

[Dragon Pool]

In front of Reclining Buddha Rock and Standing in Snow Spot lies a clear pool, about 20 square meters in area, enclosed by stone railings. Known as “Dragon Pool,” it serves as the fire prevention pool for Purple Cloud Cave. The pool once had lotus roots, and in summer, when the lotus flowers bloomed tall and graceful, the sight was especially beautiful.