Cliff Inscriptions at Xianyan Cave

Cliff Inscriptions at Xianyan Cave

The Cliff Inscriptions at Xianyan Cave are a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

The cliff inscriptions at Xianyan Cave are located in Puba Port Town, Sanmen County, dating from the Ming Dynasty to the Republic of China period.

The cliff inscriptions at Xianyan Cave are located inside Xianyan Cave on Shisun Mountain, north of Xianyan Village in Puba Port Town. In the Jin Dynasty, Xianyan Cave was called "Fayun Temple," and in the first year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1008), it was renamed "Baihua Qing Cave." Legend has it that the cave was carved by immortals, so it is also known as "Xianyan Cave," and is praised as the "Finest Scenic Wonder by the Sea in Taizhou."

The cave entrance faces south, standing 25 meters high, 50 meters deep, and 27 meters wide. It is surrounded by green trees and bamboo that block out the sun. Stone steps along the mountain lead to the cave’s entrance platform. The platform covers about 200 square meters and is enclosed by a stone railing. The railing’s ornamental pillars are carved with various auspicious animals such as lions, white elephants, and rabbits, as well as designs like immortal peaches, all left from the Ming and Qing periods. These carvings vary in form but are vivid and lifelike. The main gate faces you, with an inscription reading “Number One Cave Heaven” above it, and couplets on both sides saying “The loyal shrine honors the blessed land where righteousness endures forever; the red chamber opens to the cave heaven where immortal traces still remain.”

The cave walls feature relief carvings such as the “Eight Immortals” and “Three Worldly Buddhas” made during the construction of the “Wenxin Guogong Grand Loyalty Shrine” in the 42nd year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1563), as well as cliff inscriptions including “Fairyland,” “Sea and Sky Splendor,” “Cape of Immortals,” and “Guardians of the Homeland.” These reliefs and inscriptions are vividly realistic, grand in momentum, simply shaped, with bold and powerful lines, and a serene and solemn expression—truly treasures of Ming Dynasty stone carving art. Especially noteworthy is the relief of the Eight Immortals on the left wall of the cave, each nearly two meters tall. Figures like Iron-Crutch Li, Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Lü Dongbin, Han Xiangzi, and Cao Guojiu are depicted in diverse poses, appearing amiable and wise, with deep and insightful gazes, rendered vividly and true to life.

Inside the cave, there are also three steles: one inscribed in the 43rd year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty by Chen Xi, an official of the Ministry of Rites from Linhai, titled “Record of the New Construction of the Song Wenxin Gong Stele at Linhai Xianyan Cave”; another in the Gengchen year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty by the great scholar Qi Zhaonan, titled “Record of the Renovation of the Grand Loyalty Shrine at Xianyan Cave”; and a third in the 3rd year of the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty by Chen Wogang, titled “Record of the Renovation of the Grand Loyalty Shrine at Xianyan Cave.” Though some parts are broken, they are largely well-preserved. Additionally, there is a wooden plaque inscribed with the characters “Loyalty” and “Righteousness,” written by Qi Zhouhua, a noted eccentric scholar from Jiangnan in the Qing Dynasty.

The stone carvings at Xianyan Cave were created during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With a long history, they represent a rare treasure trove of stone carving art in Sanmen County, fully demonstrating the wisdom and exceptional artistic skill of ancient laborers. On December 4, 1981, it was announced as a cultural relic protection unit of Sanmen County.

On January 13, 2017, it was designated as part of the seventh batch of cultural relic protection units of Zhejiang Province by the People's Government of Zhejiang Province.

Puba Port Town: In 2013, following the revocation of …, …, and …, they were merged to establish Puba Port Town. After the adjustment, it administers six residential areas and 93 administrative villages. The town government is located at No. 3 Yancheng Road, Sanjiaotang Village, covering an area of 265.5 square kilometers with a registered population of 104,100.

A town under the jurisdiction of Sanmen County. Established as Lipu Township in 1949, it became a management area in 1958, then the Lipu Commune Management Committee in 1961, was re-designated as Lipu Township in 1983, and became Lipu Town in 1987. Located in the southeastern part of the county, it is 28 kilometers from the county seat. Provincial Highway Ling(kou)–San(...) Puba Port Town detailed information++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Zhejiang Province