Luzhai Luorong Gaoyan

Luzhai Luorong Gaoyan

Luzhai Luorong Gaoyan

Located 3.5 kilometers southwest of the Luorong Town government seat, it is a limestone karst cave about 500 meters in length, divided into upper, middle, and lower levels. The upper level is called White Elephant Cave, the middle level is Dragon Coil Cave, and the lower level is Guanyin Cave. Each cave offers distinct scenery and beautiful views. Guanyin Cave is named after the statue of the Goddess of Mercy placed within. A stone staircase of over a hundred steps leads up to it from the mountain base. The cave is over 20 meters high and 15 meters wide, with a cave ceiling that resembles an upside-down giant bell. In the center of the cave, a stone curtain hangs high, beneath which sits a pedestal where the Goddess of Mercy is enshrined. During the Song Dynasty, the scholar Wang Shize studied here in this serene and elegant environment before later becoming the top imperial scholar. In the fourth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty, Magistrate Guo Yuanzuo erected a stele here inscribed with the words “Natural Mansion.” Dragon Coil Cave earned its name because the roots of banyan trees break through the rocks, resembling giant dragons coiled around the cave.

Inside the cave, there is a hollow stalactite that is round, large, and smooth. When struck, it makes a drum-like sound. Not far from it is another hanging stalactite that rings like a bell when tapped. Visitors all enjoy striking it. White Elephant Cave is as spacious and tall as a hall, with a white stone beast in the middle—its fat ears like fans, thick legs like pillars, a soft trunk stretching long, and bright eyes—vividly resembling a white elephant. Thus, during the Song Dynasty, the transport commissioner Fang Xinru inscribed the words “White Elephant Cave” on the cave wall. Even more interestingly, at the cave entrance, there is a huge hanging stalactite lying horizontally, smooth and flat, shaped like a bed. People who lie on it find it warm in winter and cool in summer—an indescribably delightful experience, hence it is called the “Immortal’s Bed.” Gaoyan (High Rock) connects the three caves, offering a world of its own. Its wonders keep visitors lingering, and its beauty entices them to stay and never want to leave.

Luorong Town: Luorong is a historic town with a civilization spanning 1,300 years. It is located at 109°36′ east longitude and 24°35′ north latitude. That is, 25 kilometers northeast of Liuzhou, a key industrial city in Guangxi, 17 kilometers southwest of Luzhai County, and 138 kilometers southwest of Guilin, an internationally renowned tourist city. According to historical records such as the Guangxi County Annals, Liuzhou Prefecture Records, Luorong County Records, and the old Zhongdu County stone tablet, Luorong was part of Tanzhong County during the Han Dynasty. In the middle of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, it was separated from Xiang territory to establish Luorong County, under the jurisdiction of Liuzhou Prefecture. Blessed with lush mountains and clear waters along the Luqing River, the area features scenic spots such as West Bridge Overlook, East Pavilion Morning Sun, Twin Youths Holding the Sun, and One Pillar Supporting the Sky… Luorong Town detailed information++