Sifang Cave Site

Sifang Cave Site

The Sifang Cave Site is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

By the Liuhe River, about 1.5 kilometers northeast of Yingshouyingzi in Chengde City, Hebei Province, there is a cave whose entrance is relatively regular in shape and square-like—hence the name Sifang Cave. This site is a Paleolithic cave ruin with significant historical research value. In May 2013, it was designated as part of the seventh group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level by the State Council.

A key cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province. It is located in a cave at the foot of a mountain, about 1.5 kilometers northeast of Yingzi Town, Yingshouyingzi Mining District, south of Chengde City. The cave entrance faces northwest, on the west bank of the Liuhe River. Its square-shaped opening has given it the popular names “Sifang Cave” (Square Cave) and also “Dafang Cave” (Big Square Cave). This site represents the first Paleolithic cave ruin discovered in Hebei Province, as well as the first evidence of Paleolithic human activity found deep within the Yanshan Mountain Range. It holds great importance for the study of prehistoric culture in the Chengde area. Covering an area of approximately 44,000 square meters, the cave maintains a cool temperature in summer and warmth in spring.

In 1988, a joint excavation team comprising researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics conducted the first excavation of the site. From two cultural layers, they unearthed a total of 575 stone tools and 1,765 pieces of animal bone remains. The artifacts show that the stone implements from both layers share similar morphological features and knapping techniques, though a small number of specimens from the upper layer exhibit more stable, mature, and controlled craftsmanship. This suggests a continuity between the two cultures.

This site is the first Paleolithic cave ruin discovered in Hebei Province, as well as the first evidence of Paleolithic human activity found deep within the Yanshan Mountain Range. It holds great importance for the study of prehistoric culture in the Chengde area.

Yingshouyingzi Town: Yingshouyingzi Town is the central town of Yingshouyingzi Mining District. It borders Wangjiazhuang Town of the mining district to the east, Dashuiquan Township of Xinglong County to the south, Huangdigou Village of Xinglong County and Jinfansizi Village of Beimajuanzi Town, Yingshouyingzi Mining District to the west, and Beiyingfang Town of Xinglong County to the north. The town covers a total area of 42.5 square kilometers and governs six administrative villages. The per capita arable land area is 0.31 mu, and the forest coverage rate is 72.5%. The town’s Party and government leadership team consists of 12 members, with a total of 40 officially staffed personnel (including 22 in administrative positions, 2 administrative support staff, and 16 in institutional positions). There are 10 Party branches in total (such as the Party branch of Yingzi Village, the Party branch of Tiaogou Village… More detailed information about Yingshouyingzi Town++)

Further Reading:

· Third Group of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province

· Seventh Group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level