Cliff Inscriptions at Chaoyin Cave, Mount Putuo

Cliff Inscriptions at Chaoyin Cave, Mount Putuo

The cliff inscriptions at Chaoyin Cave, Mount Putuo, are a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The cliff inscriptions at Chaoyin Cave on Mount Putuo are located in Putuoshan Town, Putuo District, Zhoushan City, dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Chaoyin Cave is located within the Purple Bamboo Forest Scenic Area of Mount Putuo, at the foot of Longwan Bay, just 200 meters from the parking lot. The name “Chaoyin Cave” is a pun: it refers both to the cave’s daily intake and discharge of ocean tides, producing sounds like rolling thunder, and also metaphorically to the “sound of the tide” representing the “voice of the Buddha.” With waves crashing incessantly day and night, the sound resembles Guanyin delivering sermons or a multitude of monks chanting sutras, creating a spiritually purifying resonance. The cave was formed in a crevice in the mountain rock, stretching dozens of meters high from the cliff to the base, with part of it submerged in the sea. There are two openings in the cave, bright as skylights. When the tide rushes in, waves crash against the rocks, producing thunderous sounds. At high tide, looking down from the rocks, it feels as if dragons are surging beneath your feet, with a hundred eerie sights and roaring sounds. On sunny days, rainbows appear inside the cave, creating a spectacular view. This is one of the Twelve Scenic Spots of Mount Putuo, known as “Ancient Cave Tide Sounds.”

During the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, anti-pirate generals erected a stone tablet here inscribed with “Prohibition Against Self-Sacrifice and Burning of Fingers.” The stone walls inside the cave bear inscriptions and carvings from Ming Dynasty General Xu Jingxing, Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi, and others, making it an important cultural relic along the Maritime Silk Road.

The three large characters “Chaoyin Cave” carved into the rocky cliff were handwritten by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. Legend has it that the original inscription here read “Emergence Site,” where ancient devotees often worshipped in hopes of catching a glimpse of Guanyin.

On January 13, 2017, the People's Government of Zhejiang Province designated it as part of the Seventh Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Putuoshan Town: A town directly under the jurisdiction of Zhoushan City. In the second year of the Xuantong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1910), it belonged to Luotuo Township. In 1934, Putuoshan Township was established, followed by Putuo Township in 1935. In 1956, Putuoshan Township was re-established, and in 1958, it became part of Donghai Commune. In 1961, it was renamed Putuoshan Commune, reverted to township status in 1984, and became a town in 1989. Located in the central maritime area of the district, it is 9 kilometers from the district government. It administers 24 islands and 10 reefs, with a land area of 12.5 square kilometers and a population of 5,000. Mount Putuo (the island) has a 500-ton passenger terminal, with ferry services to Shenjiamen Town in Putuo District, downtown Zhoushan City, Ningbo City, … More details about Putuoshan Town ++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units