Xianglong Cave Scenic Area

Xianglong Cave Scenic Area

Xianglong Cave is 14 kilometers from the town center and boasts a history of 23 million years. The cave is estimated to be over 3,000 meters long, with two major side caves each about 350 meters in length. The interior is richly adorned with uniquely shaped stalactites. The cave features a network of interconnected chambers—spacious and lofty, with the highest and widest points reaching 40 meters and 14.5 meters respectively, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people. Stalactite formations in various chambers glisten like pearls, creating a marvel of nature. Being inside feels like stepping into a fairyland—an indescribably magical experience that leaves visitors spellbound. Particularly astonishing are the abundant calcium crystals within the cave, earning it the title “Wonder of Central China.”

Xianglong Cave lies nestled within Pei Mountain. Pei Mountain, with its majestic and unique silhouette, is known as the “Ridge of Jingmen.” The area surrounding it features attractions such as Xianju Temple, Nanhe Dam, and Zhuma Cave. Across the river lies Xianju Temple, once a place of resonating temple bells, chanting monks, and curling incense smoke—where Marshal He Long also once stationed his troops. The Nanhe River winds along the mountain, vast and imposing with its surging waters. Xianglong Cave, which penetrates Pei Mountain, is deep, dark, and serpentine—like a divine dragon emerging from the earth. Truly, “Though a mountain may rise a thousand ren in height to be deemed perilous, none rivals the boundless allure of a mythical dragon.”

The entrance of Xianglong Cave is semicircular, just over half a person’s height, and built from bricks and stones. Upon entering, visitors descend a flight of steps and are greeted by a straight, thick pillar standing prominently before them, exuding an air of solemn mystery. Dodging around the pillar, one enters a pitch-dark, low-ceilinged, and winding passageway. After crouching through about 30 meters, you reach a small chamber—round in shape—with the ceiling covered in numerous delicate, small arches. Each arch contains neatly arranged fine ridges, resembling a collection of straw hats, hence the name “Straw Hat Dome.” Truly, what maidens fail to see, the straw hats still gracefully spin above.

Beyond this chamber, after walking a few dozen steps, the cave becomes shorter and wider, with open space all around where voices echo. The surroundings shimmer with a greenish glow, and in the center stand the “Twin Pillars Holding Up the Sky,” resembling the arms of Pangu, thus nicknamed “Sky-Supporting Stone Pillars.” A few more steps forward lead you past a stone arched bridge into another grand chamber. Below the bridge, crystal-clear spring water sparkles under the light—the source and endpoint of the spring remain unknown. This spring stays warm in winter and cool in summer, with a fragrant, sweet taste. It is called “Spring of Tender Emotion”!

Passing a few more artificial stone bridges, you enter the fourth chamber, named “Mushroom Cloud Sea.” This chamber stands 16 meters high and about 7 meters wide, resembling a circular Gothic church and capable of holding over 100 people. The walls are covered with mushroom-like formations, dense as clouds or countless palace lanterns—all formed from solidified stalactites. Under the light, they shine brilliantly. Touching them reveals a smooth, delicate surface, cool and flawless like jade. Tapping them produces a sound as hard as iron, with echoes reverberating. The cloud-like mushrooms resemble modern animated mushroom figures—peering out with heads sticking out and wide eyes, as if hesitating to stretch, shrink, open, or close. Their expressions shift between charming and silly, wild and solemn, as if worried about being overlooked. Their countless forms and expressions brim with endless charm.

Moving forward, the cave entrance suddenly narrows to just one person’s width, while the surrounding walls shoot up dramatically—this is “Sky-Piercing Narrow Pass.” Looking up, one feels dizzy and startled. Guarding this passage is the “Great General,” standing atop the cliff, majestic and dignified, instilling both courage and humility in visitors. It seems to remind people to embrace tranquility over noise.

Bidding farewell to the “Great General,” you enter the fifth chamber, known as “Monkey Playing with the Moon.” The chamber is filled with monkey heads and bodies in countless poses. Some monkeys appear solemn or playful, leaping or lying down, scratching their ears, craning their necks, hugging each other, smiling, sighing, riding the clouds, treading waves, or peering at the moon…

Further ahead, a massive rock blocks the way, forcing visitors to sidestep it to reach the final chamber—“Fragrant White Lotus.” This chamber rises over 20 meters high, vast and seemingly boundless. Lotus leaves, like flowing skirts, whirl softly in the air, appearing delicate and graceful with the charm of a classical maiden’s dance. Thousands of stone stalagmites intertwine among them—resembling lotus pedestals or tree roots—linking, extending, pressing, yielding, and arranging themselves in a naturally harmonious yet meticulously ordered chaos. The entire chamber blends peaks and valleys into a unified whole.

To date, although six main chambers of Xianglong Cave have been explored, spanning over 800 meters, it remains a virgin cave. This magical uncharted cave awaits further exploration to unveil new wonders. According to surveys, Xianglong Cave stretches from the northern to the southern end of Pei Mountain, with a straight-line distance of approximately 2,500 meters.

Source: Dongbao District Government