Sanya Liuyun Cave

Sanya Liuyun Cave

Sanya Liuyun Cave

Commonly known as Shicuo and also called Huanchen An, it is located in Xi’ao, Sanya Town, about 30 kilometers from Xiapu County. Nestled against the mountain and facing the sea, it spans an area of over 5,000 square meters. It stands opposite the Dongyin Archipelago of Taiwan, flanked by two opposing lush green mountains. The cave is a marvelous formation where a massive rock called “A Piece of Tile” is supported by natural stone pillars. In 1935 (the 24th year of the Republic of China), Monk Ti’an and lay Buddhist Du Yanggao built the Mahavira Hall inside the cave.

The surrounding area of the cave features oddly shaped rocks in various forms—some resembling a camel gazing at the waves, others like an eagle watching the sun, a jade rabbit admiring the moon, or two lions playing with a pearl. At the front of the cave by the sea, there stands a huge rock soaring above the ground, overlooking the vast expanse of blue water. With surging waves and crashing tides, visitors can go boating or enjoy fishing and net casting. Sanya Liuyun Cave has long been a renowned scenic spot on the border between Fujian and Zhejiang, attracting visitors from all directions who come to admire the view and leave inscriptions. Carved cliff inscriptions such as “A single stone unveils a new vista, a famous mountain reveals its peak” by Sun Qiyi, the former Fujian-Zhejiang Inspection Commissioner, and “A splendid site east of the sea, Liuyun commemorates the wonder” by Chen Lifu still remain today.

Address: On the cliff of Dongbi Mountain, two li west of Sanya Town, Xiapu County, Ningde City (within Liuyun Chan Temple).

Type: Cave & Historical Site

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

Free admission.

Transportation:

You can take a bus from Fuzhou North Bus Station to Xiapu via the Tongsan Expressway, then transfer to another bus to Sanya.