Yongding Swallow Rock Scenic Area

Yongding Swallow Rock Scenic Area

The Yongding Swallow Rock Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The Swallow Rock in Fujian is located on the western side of Kongfu Village, Peifeng Town, Yongding County, and also serves as the boundary mountain between Yongding and Xinluo. It derives its name from the "abundance of rock swallows in the caves." It is renowned for the ingenuity of nature, the exquisite arrangement of the mountain, the ruggedness of the rocks, the depth of the caves, and the beauty of the temples.

When looking toward Swallow Rock from Kongfu Village, one sees towering cliffs, undulating mountains, and lush green trees. Once inside the mountain, it feels as if you’ve entered the mythical Penglai, with breathtaking scenery. The “Lion Treasure Rock,” which resembles a lion, is the first to catch your eye; as you proceed to Laoyang’ao, you’ll see a peak that looks like lions and elephants playing, known as the “Elephant Peak.”

Between the “Lion Treasure Rock” and the “Elephant Peak” stands the Lion Treasure Rock Nunnery. Inside the nunnery, when you strike the ground with a stick, it resonates loudly. Behind the nunnery, steep cliffs rise sharply, revealing three caves aligned side by side, each with its own unique shape. On the left is the “Immortal Cave,” on the right is the “Heavenly Lantern Cave,” and in the middle is the “Dragon Palace Cave.” The “Immortal Cave” is said to be named after immortals who once lived there. The cave is large and wide, with a flat ceiling, and inside are three conical formations: the middle one is called the “Umbrella,” the left one is the “Salt Leak,” and the right one is the “Rice Spout.” Legend has it that the immortals used an umbrella and pounded salt and rice with a pestle for cooking.

The Lingyan Cave Nunnery was built by stacking stone walls along the mountain slope and creating terraces. Standing in front of the nunnery, you are greeted by a vast expanse of peaks and ridges. Due to the ever-changing clouds and mist that drift around the mountain, historical records mention “the frequent appearance of purple haze,” creating a hazy and ethereal atmosphere, reminiscent of “Li Bai’s dreamlike journey to Mount Tiantai—it feels like a dream rather than a real place.” Hence, it is called the Lingyan Cave Nunnery. To the left of the nunnery is the “Immortal Hanging Turtle,” and to the right is the “Ivory Ridge.” On the mountain behind the nunnery, to the right of the “Immortal Hanging Turtle,” a peculiar rock extends from a crescent-shaped cliff, with drops of water falling like “a dragon” stretching its long neck, with “dragon saliva” dripping onto a jade plate like pearls—thus it is called the “Dragon Saliva Jade Plate.” On a scorching summer day, if you cup some “dragon saliva” in your hands and taste it, you’ll instantly feel refreshed, as if all summer thirst and heat have melted away.

The “Swallow Deep Palace” is the largest and deepest cave in Swallow Rock. At the cave’s roof, pine trees stand tall and bamboo clusters grow densely, while ancient pines twist around the entrance and vines climb the cliffs. Looking up from the cave entrance toward the mountaintop, layers of steep cliffs rise one after another. Inside the cave, there are paths, and within paths, more caves; the caves connect with each other, both lit and dark, forming an intricate network. The shapes of the cave ceilings vary—some like gnaw marks, others like spiraling insects and scorpions. It's easy to lose all sense of direction, completely forgetting the way in or out. Since ancient times, explorers and travelers have come in an endless stream, all marveling at the spectacular scenery and the wondrous cave.

Kongfu Village: Kongfu Village is located in the eastern part of Peifeng Town. To the north, the village borders Aitou Village in Dongxiao Town, Longyan City; to the south, it connects with Changliu Village in our town; to the west, it links with Wenxi Village. The village covers an area of approximately 8.8 square kilometers, is about 4 kilometers from the town center, and roughly 18 kilometers from downtown Longyan. The current population is 5,395, with 1,403 households, divided among 12 natural hamlets and 34 villager groups. There are 126 party members, making it the largest administrative village in Peifeng Town. The village has about 2,718 mu of arable land and 21,950 mu of forested land. Within its territory lies Yongding’s famous tourist attraction—Yanzai Rock. The mountain features overlapping peaks, surrounded by… Kongfu Village detailed information++