Weaver Girl Fairy Cave

Weaver Girl Fairy Cave

The Weaver Girl Fairy Cave is located about 10 kilometers west of Donglidian (now part of Yiyuan County). The cave lies halfway up the mountainside on the southern bank of the Yi River. Inside the cave stands a statue of the Weaver Girl. On the opposite bank of the Yi River to the north of the cave lies a village called Niulangguanzhuang, where there is also a Temple of the Cowherd, reminiscent of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl separated by the Heavenly River. This area, densely forested, is a natural scenic spot. As the poem goes:

Weaver Girl Fairy Cave

Yang Guangpu

Does the golden shuttle toil day and night for whom? Across the water, peach blossoms fill the cave with fragrance.

All nations bask in the grace of Emperor Yao’s rain and dew, while the imperial robes of Emperor Shun await mending in the highest halls.

Brocades and silks gleam as clouds and rosy clouds hang low, the weaving shuttle’s sound lets time drift endlessly.

Yet I laugh at the celestial maidens of Tiantai—of all people, who here would recall Liu Lang?

〉Intruding woman

Wang Songting

Ascending stone steps to the immortal gateway, the cave entrance greets you as if the stars have returned.

Like the starry river hanging from the blue sky, or the Cowherd and Weaver Girl descending to the mortal realm.

Even knowing the loom is here within, who’d believe that after crossing the Magpie Bridge comes leisure?

I wish to ride the celestial raft—who will guide me? As a guest star, I listen to the murmuring stream.

From the Weaving Maid’s Terrace, I gaze at the Immortal Tower, where the lofty railings overlook serene scenery.

The mountain path winds southward through the woods, the Yi River bends eastward, flowing through ancient and modern times.

The spring stream sounds swift, clear skies mistaken for rain; pine and cypress winds blow cold, summer feels like autumn.

But to find a little joy in this place, why seek the source or ask of the Cowherd?

Weaver Girl Fairy Cave

Dang Baoxiu

Since ancient times, the Ge county had Piyang; at Donglidian, the fairy was busy.

The temple’s golden statue honors the Weaver Girl, the cave’s stone flowers keep the Cowherd company.

The clatter of the loom weaves white silk, the distant Milky Way tells of sorrow.

Of the Four Great Legends, two are in Yiyuan, and here too love binds like Meng Jiangnu of Qi.