Ruichang Karst Cave Cluster

Ruichang Karst Cave Cluster

In the spring of 1987, three scholars from Nanjing marveled after inspecting the Ruichang Karst Cave Cluster in the southwestern part of Ruichang: “This is the No. 1 cave in the south of the Yangtze River!”

The Ruichang Karst Cave Cluster not only features unique caves individually but also forms a harmonious whole. These caves are astonishing, thrilling, marvelous, and serene—breathtakingly beautiful. As you step into these unpredictable, shadowy underground labyrinths, all kinds of wondrous fantasies may spring to mind: you might feel as if wandering through the heavenly palaces and water mansions of Wu Cheng’en’s imagination, or lingering in the infernal prisons of Dante’s Divine Comedy, either floating with ease or shuddering with fear—inevitably drawing out many deep reflections on life. Among the Ruichang Karst Cave Cluster, the most representative caves are the Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave, the Old Society Cave, and the Xiapan Cave.

Legend has it that there were once ten thousand stone Buddha statues, hence the Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave is also known as the “Heroes’ Cave.” As the name implies, only those brave enough to enter can be called heroes. Inside the cave, rugged rocks jut out and cliffs hang precipitously, with the most spectacular views often found in the most perilous spots. The cave is filled with misty vapors, and the scenery changes with the flow of water—sometimes faint and blurred, beauty veiled in mystery. Not far from the cave entrance stands a towering five-meter-high stalagmite atop a cliff, beneath which a waterfall cascades down like a pearl curtain, splashing jade-like droplets, with a white pagoda appearing and disappearing amid the mist. The roaring sound of the falling water echoes like thunder, yet also carries the distant toll of a bell. Between two steep cliffs lies a bottomless clear pool, daring none to venture near. This scene is called the “White Pagoda Waterfall.” Further inside, there is a formation known as the “Illusion Palace,” where clusters of stalactites reach toward the water’s surface—viewed from the left they resemble an elephant drinking, from the right like dragons playing with a pearl, looking up they appear as demons dancing wildly, and looking down they seem like blooming flowers. Coupled with the hazy mist inside the cave, it becomes even more mysterious, with layered illusions, as if stepping into a world of fantasy. In contrast, the “Moon Palace” offers a different atmosphere: the vast dome is hung with inverted stalactites that look like palace lanterns adorning a beautifully painted ceiling. If the lights are dimmed, the faint glimmers cast eerie shadows, barely illuminating the “Moon Goddess” under the moonlight, sorrowful and melancholic—a truly desolate and ethereal celestial scene. Other sights such as “Banyan Moon Reflection,” “Fishermen’s Evening Song,” “Flying Dragon Crossing the River,” and “Red Flag Unfurling” each have their own charm. At the cave exit stands a study room beside a waterfall dozens of meters high, with thunderous rushing waters, moss-covered banks, and shady trees. At sunset, standing at the cave entrance and gazing into the distance, the rosy glow of the evening sky is golden, the green mountains dark as ink, and the clouds over Henggang Reservoir billow magnificently; within the valley, cooking smoke curls up, bamboo rafts dot the river in front of the village, and the sounds of crowing roosters and barking dogs complete the poetic charm.

The Old Society Cave is located to the east of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave. Compared to its counterpart, this cave feels gentler and more tranquil, without any frightening elements. The Old Society Cave has two entrances—Snake Lion and Silver Thread—and four main chambers. The chambers contain rich accumulations of formations that create a variety of intricate patterns. Inside the cave, streams trickle and rocks layer with water. On the wall of the second chamber, there is a small cave opening with a crack from which clear water seeps out, depositing gleaming bell-shaped stalactites on the colorful cave walls. The dripping sound resembles the toll of a great bell—this is called the “Evening Bell of Mount Emei.” The second chamber also features a spot known as the “Children’s Playground,” also called “Lion Carrying a Seal,” where two stones stacked together strikingly resemble a seal atop a sea lion, creating a delightful sight. The third chamber has two branching tunnels shaped like triangles, with dripping water forming disc-shaped stalactites at the top, from which cone-shaped stalactites hang and fall, creating a “Lotus Platform.” On the “Lotus Platform” stand two stalagmites resembling two monks in meditation, known as the “Lotus Platform Monks.”

Also worth mentioning is the Wangqiao Cave located south of Wushi Street. According to the famous immortal tale “In Search of the Supernatural,” during the Eastern Han Dynasty, Wang Qiao was guided to the path of immortality by two celestial beings playing chess inside this cave. When he returned after achieving fame and success to seek the immortals again, they had gone, leaving only the chessboard and stools behind. Disappointed, Wang Qiao left, accidentally dropping a pair of shoes that turned into stone lions. Inside the cave, the stone lions, chessboard, and stools remain intact. There are also stone Buddha statues and Guanyin figures that vividly bring to life a heavenly grotto, often attracting worshippers who come to burn incense and pay homage.