Dragon and Phoenix Cave

Dragon and Phoenix Cave

Dragon and Phoenix Cave is situated on the mountainside of Linglong Peak in Zhongguan Town. According to the Chronicles of Chengde Prefecture, in the 19th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign during the Qing Dynasty (1754), while traveling to the Mulan Hunting Grounds, the emperor stayed at the Zhongguan Palace. Gazing into the distance, he spotted a towering, exquisite peak not far ahead. Upon ascending it, he composed a poem and bestowed upon it the name “Linglong Peak.” The mountain contains hollowed-out areas with large caves, which, according to local legend, are the dwelling place of the Dragon and Phoenix Immortals—hence the name “Dragon and Phoenix Cave.”

Dragon and Phoenix Cave is 30 kilometers from the Mountain Resort and covers an area of over 80,000 square meters. It is the largest Han Chinese Buddhist sacred site in Chengde. The mountain is covered with dense pine forests, while streams flow gently at its base. With mountains and water in harmony, clouds and mist lingering around the peaks, and lush green grass underfoot, it feels like stepping into a fairyland. Temples are built along the mountainside in terraced layers, caves appear and disappear among the rocks, and ancient stone tablets engraved with inscriptions by notable figures shine through the ages—offering a breathtaking and mesmerizing sight.

Dragon and Phoenix Cave boasts over 90 naturally formed caves of various shapes and sizes. The main cave of Linglong Peak is 20 meters high, 15 meters wide, and extends more than 50 meters deep. This cave is remarkable for having caves within caves, water within caves, and even sky visible within the cave. About 13 meters from the entrance, there is a large north-south fissure that cuts across the cave ceiling, revealing a sliver of sky just half a meter wide. Looking up, you can see the blue sky by day and stars by night. At the end of the cave is an ear-shaped formation, commonly known as the “Divine Ear.” Inside the ear-shaped cavity, small passages extend over 500 meters deep, connecting all the way to the back of Linglong Peak. As a result, air flows smoothly through the cave, preventing the buildup of smoke or dust. An interesting phenomenon is that candle flames tilt outward. The cave’s interior features five levels of halls built along the natural contours of the land: The first level is the “Dragon and Phoenix Spring,” whose sweet-tasting water is said to prevent plagues and prolong life; the second level enshrines the Guardian Deities, who appear majestic; the third level houses statues of the Dragon and Phoenix Immortals, gazing at each other; the fourth level is the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings, imposing and grand; the fifth level features a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by the Eighteen Arhats, each with unique and lifelike expressions. Truly, “In the mountainside lies a wondrous cave, where one can gaze at the sky from within. Sunlight illuminates the temples, and within the temples lies the reclining Buddha. Through the Divine Ear, the Buddha hears the sounds from beyond the cave.”

For over 200 years, the site has enjoyed uninterrupted incense offerings, and numerous legends and anecdotes have been passed down. Many scholars and artists have composed poems and painted here. Over time, people have come to commonly refer to Linglong Peak as Dragon and Phoenix Cave.

To develop tourism resources, the management of Dragon and Phoenix Cave has spent over two years restoring halls using both ancient and modern craftsmanship. More than 50 Buddha statues have been reinstated in their original forms, enshrined in various natural caves of Linglong Peak, including Dragon and Phoenix Cave, Amitabha Cave, Guanyin Cave, Hail God Cave, Immortal Cultivation Cave, Hanging Cave, Folklore Cave, Three Gates Hall, Lüzu Temple, and Kuixing Hall. The site also features unique Chengde attractions such as a pagoda forest, a national calligraphy stele forest with works by famous individuals, and the Qianlong Tea Shelter. It is truly a sacred and tourist destination. A grand temple fair is held here every year around the 18th day of the second lunar month.