Maodong Cave

Maodong Cave

Maodong Cave is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Maodong Cave, located on Meiziaoao Mountain in Baifusi Town, Laifeng County, Hubei Province, is a naturally formed through cave (similar to a tunnel) that spans across the You River. In other words, Meiziaoao Mountain resembles a massive stone arch bridge stretching over the You River, which is truly a marvel.

The You River winds through nine counties and cities across four provinces in Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, and Guizhou (including Xuan'en and Laifeng in Hubei Province; Youyang and Xiushan in Chongqing; Longshan, Baojing, Guzhang, Yongshun, and Yuanling in Hunan Province). It is the longest tributary of the Yuan River, which belongs to the Dongting Lake water system. Historically known as the Youxi, it is one of the Five Streams (You, Chen, Wu, Wu, and Yuan) within the ancient Wuling Commandery. It originates from Huangbaiying in Chunnongying Township, Xuan'en County. There are two sources: one passing through Majiawan and the other through Xishuibei, converging at Luoguquan. It enters Laifeng County via Lianghekou in Lijiahe Township, Xuan'en, flows southward to Jilongtan in Baifusi Town, Laifeng, then enters Youyang County in Chongqing, and finally joins the Yuan River in Yuanling, Hunan. It is a mountain stream that flows year-round. The total length of the river is 477 kilometers (some sources say 427 kilometers). The section above Shadagou in Xuan'en is called Baijia River, while the section below is called the You River. The You River passes through mountains twice: once through the Qizimei Mountains in Xuan'en County, entering through Maokong and exiting through Baishuikong, flowing underground for 3,000 meters; and once through Maodong Cave in Laifeng County, Hubei, where it flows for 215 meters. Among these, Maodong Cave, which spans the You River, is the most spectacular and magnificent.

Maodong Cave is located at Guanyinping in Meiziaoao Village, Baifusi Town, Laifeng, 3 kilometers from the town center.

According to the "Laifeng County Annals" from the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty: “The Maodong of our county is where the You River actually flows through, and it is suspected that the name derives from this.” It is a limestone karst cave. The cave is 85 meters long (with the mountain being 215 meters thick), the north entrance is at an elevation of 400 meters, 35 meters high and 35 meters wide; the south entrance is at an elevation of 360 meters, 55 meters high and 45 meters wide, with large rocks scattered inside the cave. Maodong Cave has two major wonders: one is the sheer cliff (the outer cliff of the cave entrance forms a horseshoe shape and is over 150 meters high), and the other is the You River flowing through the cave, resembling a “dragon lying down and swallowing the river.” About 60 meters directly above the cave entrance, embedded in the cliff, is a small round cave called Immortal Cave, which was used by ancient people to bury coffins. The Immortal Cave is about 30 meters high, 15 meters wide, and over 200 meters deep. In 1992, eight boat-shaped, trough-shaped, and box-shaped coffins were discovered, along with 131 burial items, including bronze, iron, porcelain, wood, pottery, leather, and silk fabrics. These artifacts span several dynasties, including the Jin, Sui, Tang, Song, and Yuan.

Within a 4-square-kilometer area adjacent to Maodong Cave, there are 18 large and small karst caves of various shapes. Some are located on both sides of the river, some on mountaintops, some halfway up cliffs, some on sheer walls, some back-to-back, some face-to-face, some vertically aligned, and some side-by-side, forming a unique spectacle of a karst cave cluster. On the southern bank, notable ones include Moon Cave, whose entrance resembles the moon; and Swallow Cave, with unfathomable depths and countless swallows that darken the sky. On the northern bank, the Large Cave contains a stone mill niche, where two stalactites resemble a stone mill and a woman wearing a headscarf pushing the mill, incredibly lifelike. The Main Cave and the Large Cave coexist side by side, with connected paths. Inside the cave is a grand hall filled with uniquely shaped stalactites, especially four massive stones that resemble a dragon, a phoenix, a qilin, and a turtle, collectively known as the “Four Spirit Stones,” leaving visitors in awe of nature’s craftsmanship.

It is worth mentioning that the Maodong Gorge, where Maodong Cave is located, along with Longzui Gorge and Ata Gorge, are collectively known as the Three Gorges of the You River, and are considered a gallery of Tujia ethnic culture in Laifeng. Longzui Gorge is located in Lushui Town, Laifeng County, at the confluence of the You River, Xinxi River, and Laoxi River. The gorge is filled with caves and dense ancient trees. Attractions include the Bizi Card Social Village, Love Island, Narrow Pass (the narrowest part of the You River), and Fairy Cave. Ata Gorge is located in Yutang Village, Manshiping Township, Laifeng County, stretching 12 kilometers. The gorge features deep valleys and competing peaks. Attractions include the Dragon King Temple, Immortal Boat (also called Cotton Shoe Island), Jar Rock, Sheng’er Bay, and Sky-Supporting Stone Pillar. The Maodong Gorge features towering cliffs, numerous caves, and picturesque scenery along the way. Scenic spots along the banks include Zhizi Rock, Stone Mill Niche, Incense Burner Rock, Chessboard, and Seal-Imprint Pool.

In addition, Maodong Cave was also the site of the Baifusi Tusi City, with numerous historical and cultural relics. From the 23rd to the 24th year of the Jiajing reign in the Ming Dynasty, Xu Shan, then the deputy prefect of Chenzhou Prefecture in Hunan (now Yuanling County, Huaihua City), was ordered to come to Maodong Cave in Laifeng County to harvest nanmu wood. During this time, he wrote the "Maodong Collection," which describes the scenery and culture of western Hubei. The "Maodong Collection" is now housed in the Zhejiang University Library and is the only regional work from Enshi Prefecture included in the "Complete Library of the Four Treasuries."