Hulu Cave Scenic Area

Hulu Cave Scenic Area

The Hulu Cave Scenic Area is located at the hub of the walking trails on Mount Taimu, connecting Yingxian Platform, Jiuli Peak, and Yipianwa. The area features numerous caves, the most distinctive being the Hulu Cave, known as the “paradise in a cave.” Adjacent to it is the intricate General’s Cave. Upon exiting, you can turn back to admire the amusing “Kissing Rock.” Leaving the General’s Cave, you’ll arrive at the V-shaped Longxu Ridge, where you can see the towering Tianzhu Peak, a 40-meter-high pillar-like rock at the base of the ridge. Two mountain paths lead to Dapan Stone and Guanhai Platform, both excellent spots for enjoying sea views from high ground.

Among the more than a hundred caves on Mount Taimu, the most unique is the Hulu Cave, known as the “paradise in a cave.” This cave is formed by connected valley gorges and stacked stone caves, stretching over 1,000 meters in total. It earned its name because it resembles an upside-down gourd. The entrance is narrow but gradually widens. Upon reaching the “belly” of the gourd, visitors are surrounded by steep cliffs, with a circular patch of blue sky in the center that can accommodate about a hundred people. During the Song Dynasty, a pavilion called Hulu Cave Pavilion was built inside the cave, but it no longer exists. Among the overgrown weeds at the old site, you can still find remnants of bricks, tiles, and stone door sockets embedded in the cliffs. The cave also hosts plants such as red nanmu, litsea, evergreen oaks, junipers, azaleas, epiphytic orchids, and thick ancient vines. Inside, there are 13 skylights and 7 chambers, providing spaces for recreation and rest.

As you crawl into the cave, beams of light filter through cracks, and due to the cave’s airflow, the interplay of light and color creates a magical, ever-changing effect, instantly transporting you into a dreamlike world. Walking to the “Flowing Water Bay,” with the help of dim light, you can see crystal-clear spring water gently flowing beneath a 7-shaped stone bridge, its tinkling sound echoing through the cave like a guzheng performance. A few dozen meters away, the echo seems close by—earning the nickname “Echo Cave,” reminiscent of the Echo Wall at the Temple of Heaven. Next comes a dark passage about 70 meters long, pitch-black and perfect for listening to the spring water. The ancients called it “Shuyu Cave.” If you visit during the rainy season in spring, the spring water cascades down with a thunderous roar, thrilling and awe-inspiring. Exiting via the spiral cave passage, you’ll encounter narrow cliffside paths with shafts of light streaming through, as well as sections where two massive rocks hang overhead, forming a “triple cave sky.” The entire cave system is rugged and unpredictable, with sudden ascents, descents, twists, and turns. At times, you’ll see bright sunlight; at others, hanging ancient vines. You might feel a cold breeze or a warm current. Intriguingly, in one spot, if you stretch out your arms, one side will feel warm while the other cool.

Exploring Hulu Cave takes nearly two hours, requiring visitors to move in various ways—crawling, squatting, sidestepping, tiptoeing—as if performing a special workout. Laughter and joy accompany the journey, making it endlessly entertaining, hence its title “paradise in a cave.” Some even praise it as the “best cave in the world.” Emerging from the cave, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief, feeling both the joy of seeing daylight again and the thrill of conquest. Persistence leads to light; giving up halfway means missing the joy of success.

Exiting Hulu Cave, you’ll immediately come to the General’s Cave. This cave, formed by stacked stones, is named after three massive rocks on its ceiling resembling a general’s shoe, sword, and hat. Stretching 399 meters, the General’s Cave is actually a cave complex with four entrances, leading to the Hulu Restaurant, Hulu Cave, Longxu Ridge, and Camel Cave. It’s known as the “Eighteen Caves.” Inside, you’ll find sights such as “Heaven’s Gate Severed,” “Elephant Drinking Water,” “Camel in the Cave,” and “Gecko Playing with the Eaves.” Especially notable is the stone path leading to Longxu Ridge, where two rocks resemble a pair of lovers kissing passionately—dubbed the “Kissing Rock.”

A towering stone pillar rises about 40 meters high, with an elliptical cross-section, resembling the legendary Ruyi Jingu Bang (Heavenly Pillar) from mythology—that’s Tianzhu Peak, also called “the Southern Sky’s Lone Pillar.” Nearby, a stone screen about 5 meters high and 4 meters wide resembles a TV screen. A crystal-lined cave features bead-like formations arranged in wave patterns, like a stock market chart. To the lower right, a small rectangular stone resembles a TV remote control. The Hulu Cave Scenic Area also includes a cliff inscription by Zhao Puchu reading “Taimu’s Splendid Scenery.” To the left of the character “Jing” (Scenery), there’s a faint trace of another “Jing,” subtly hinting at the secret of appreciating Mount Taimu’s stone landscapes—shifting perspectives reveal different scenes. For instance, the iconic “Husband and Wife Peak” can also be viewed as “Mother and Child Peak” or “Monk Preaching” from another angle.

Mount Taimu

Guoxing Temple Scenic Area

Goddess Taimu Statue

Yipianwa Scenic Area

Xiangshan Temple Scenic Area in Fuding

Pingxing Temple

Liancheng Lingfeng on Mount Taimu

Yingxian Platform Scenic Area

Jiuli Peak Scenic Area