Qidong Swallow Cave

Qidong Swallow Cave

Swallow Cave is located about 5 kilometers southwest of the county town, now within Yanzi Village in Chengguan Town. It is the largest limestone cave in the county. The cave houses many bats that fly when exposed to light; ancient people mistook them for swallows, hence the name.

The cave is situated on a cliff, with protruding rocks above. The entrance is 6 meters high and 5 meters wide. The main cave stretches approximately 400 meters and contains a stone pool with an ever-flowing spring. There are nine side caves extending from both sides of the main cave, twisting and turning into deep recesses, with the longest reaching 160 meters. Inside the cave, stalactites hang upside down, clear springs drip, and numerous stone pillars and stalagmites stand densely. About six or seven meters into the cave, there are two large rocks in the center that resemble a table and chair, with a stone stool nearby. Legend has it that this was where the hermit Jiang Hui ascended to immortality. Swallow Cave is also commonly known as Chaoyin Cave. Legend says that Guanyin Bodhisattva once received worship from a group of immortals here. The immortals found the cave too small, so they pushed upward with their heads to enlarge it. As a result, the front part of the cave shows many head-shaped marks—actually formed by the weathering of blue stalactites.