Yulong Cave

Yulong Cave

Yulong Cave is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Yulong Cave is a provincial-level scenic area, adjacent to Tai Ping Lake. It is located 50 kilometers from the world-famous Huangshan Mountain and 25 kilometers from the Buddhist holy site Jiuhua Mountain. The cave entrance resembles the open mouth of a carp, with a clear stream of water flowing out year-round. Stretching over 5,000 meters in length, the cave features a crystal-clear underground river running through it, exuding grandeur and magnificence. Inside the cave, a variety of uniquely shaped rock formations are on display—some resembling blooming lotuses, others like graceful jade trees, devout monks in pilgrimage, or ancient drums and bells resting on the ground, all incredibly lifelike. There are the "Four Seas": East Sea, South Sea, North Sea, and West Sea, as well as the "Eleven Palaces": Lotus Palace, Moon Palace, Celebration Palace, Carp Palace, Jade Bedroom Palace, White Eel Palace, General’s Command Palace, Rhinoceros Palace, Hidden Music Palace, Heavenly Palace, and Treasure Gathering Palace. Visitors can explore the cave either on foot or by raft, as the wondrous sights blend with the sounds of water, shimmering light, and flickering lamps to create an enchanting and mysterious experience. Renowned poets of the Tang Dynasty such as Du Mu, Li Shangyin, and Du Xunhe all left exquisite poems here. Among them, the verse by the Ming Dynasty poet He Yin captures the essence of Yulong Cave most aptly: “Clear springs emerge from hidden valleys, red suns shine on dark rocks, the marvel of Yulong stands apart, a realm distinct from the dusty earth.”

Yulong Cave is located in Qidu Town, Shitai County, southern Anhui. The cave features a deep and serene environment, with numerous uniquely shaped rocks that are striking in their variety, offering a cool retreat in summer and warmth in winter. Shortly after entering the cave, visitors will see two stones resembling a dragon and a fish, standing on either side and appearing to gaze at each other. The name “Yulong Cave” (Fish-Dragon Cave) originates from this sight. As a provincial-level scenic area, Yulong Cave is situated in Yulong Village, Liudu Township, eastern Shitai County. Adjacent to Tai Ping Lake and located 50 kilometers from the world-famous Huangshan Mountain and 25 kilometers from the Buddhist holy site Jiuhua Mountain, the cave entrance looks like the open mouth of a crocodile, with a clear stream of water flowing out year-round. Spanning over 5,000 meters in length, the cave houses a crystal-clear underground river that runs throughout. It starts off very narrow and then opens up into wider chambers, displaying a majestic and spectacular atmosphere.

The grandeur and magnificence of Yulong Palace, with its majestic stone formations and sweet, clear streams, truly makes it a heavenly realm. Throughout history, it has captivated countless visitors. One cannot help but wonder: has Yulong Palace always been like this? The answer is no—it is the product of long-term tectonic movements and the trials of time. Between 600 and 400 million years ago, during the early ancient periods known as the Cambrian, Ordovician, and Silurian eras, the area around Yulong Palace and its neighboring regions consisted of shallow seas or coastal zones. Influenced by the Indosinian movement, it transitioned from vast oceans to land. By the end of the Mesozoic era, intense magmatic activity from the Yanshan movement intruded along deep fractures in the Earth's crust. Following cooling and solidification, the basic form of Yulong Palace was largely established.

Qidu Town: Qijing Township is located in the northeastern part of Shitai County. To the east, it faces Huangshan Mountain; to the north, it connects with the Buddhist holy site Jiuhua Mountain; and to the south, it neighbors the renowned Penglai Fairy Cave. The area features undulating mountains and towering peaks, often shrouded in mist and blessed with a pleasant climate. The township covers an area of 74 square kilometers and is 39 kilometers from the county seat. The ancient Huizhou merchants’ route runs from south to north through the township. It currently governs 7 villages, 36 villager groups, 780 households, and a population of 3,008. The average elevation is 850 meters, with forested land spanning 40,090 mu and a forest coverage rate of 72%. The current arable land area is 758 mu. The region is rich in resources, including... More detailed information about Qidu Town++