Scenery of the Panyang River

Scenery of the Panyang River

The scenery of the Panyang River is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Panyang River, the mother river and river of longevity of the Bama Longevity Township. Originating in Fengshan County, Guangxi, the Panyang River stretches 145 kilometers in total, with 82 kilometers flowing through Bama. Within these 82 kilometers, there are four sections that run as underground rivers. The waters of the Panyang River repeatedly emerge from and submerge into underground karst caves. The water is crystal clear, emerald green in color, smooth as silk and gauze, fluttering gently downstream with the current. There is no pollution throughout the entire river basin, giving the Panyang River its unique features: multiple caves along its course, each serene and mysterious, appearing and disappearing, floating and sinking with the flow. In spring, summer, and autumn, the graceful swaying of the phoenix tail bamboo along both banks and the lush greenery create an overall impression of tranquility and beauty. When you walk into the Panyang River valley, you can truly experience the magical natural features of the Longevity Township—picturesque mountains, serene valleys, fragrant air, and sweet-tasting water. In the Panyang River valley, if you are lucky enough to witness the local villagers’ natural tradition of nude bathing, you will gain a deeper sense of the mystery and charm of the Panyang River. Nude bathing along the Panyang River is actually an ancient practice of returning to simplicity and is considered one of the secrets to the longevity of the people here over thousands of years. The water of the Panyang River is so clear that it is mineralized as it repeatedly flows in and out of underground karst caves. It is rich in minerals and maintains a constant temperature of around 17–18 degrees Celsius—neither too cold nor too hot. Long-term nude bathing not only makes the skin smooth and tender but also helps prevent illness and promote health.

Qishou Palace (Bainiao Cave)

Also known as Yanshou Cave, it is located at the foot of Mozhai Mountain in the northwest of Jiayan Township. This cave is a unique underground river karst cave, a “masterpiece” of nature over hundreds of millions of years. The formation of Qishou Palace (Bainiao Cave) mainly resulted from the prolonged erosion, dissolution, and collapse of Mozhai Mountain by the underground river. The Panyang River dives underground at Baixiong Cave in Jitun, Jiayan Township, Bama, forming more than 1,500 meters of submerged river before emerging from this cave. It is the last submerged exit before the Panyang River flows into the Hongshui River. The cave features a variety of stalactites in diverse shapes resembling different objects. The water is crystal clear and the stones pristine, surrounded by shimmering light. Especially as you travel by boat, every two to three hundred meters there is a skylight creating a play of sunlight and moonlight, and within the ever-changing tunnel of light and shadow, you may feel as if you are experiencing the wonder of three days and three nights, which is truly exhilarating. Cave roof springs drip all year round, keeping the cave cool in summer and warm in winter—ideal for escaping the heat in summer and the cold in winter. Near the cave exit, faint sounds of birds chirping and bats calling can be heard in the main hall. The ceiling is home to various flying creatures such as swiftlets, eagles, kingfishers, and bats. At dawn or dusk, thousands of swiftlets fly out of the cave mouth and skim the water surface in playful flight—a spectacular sight, hence the name Qishou Palace (Bainiao Cave).

Baimo Cave is located in Poyue Village, 25 kilometers northwest of Bama County, and is the most magnificent and spectacular limestone karst cave. In 1987, a joint Sino-British karst geology expert exploration team spent nine days exploring the cave. They were amazed by the rare, unique, typical, and scarce flat calcified deposits, multi-layered karst cave vertical distribution relics, massive cave pearls, and continuous river-through-cave relics found inside. British geological experts unanimously agreed that the cave embodies the beauty of caves from around the world and can be called the “Number One Cave under Heaven.” The cave averages about 70 meters in height and 50 meters in width, with nearly 10,000 meters of explored routes. It is divided into four levels: upper, middle, lower, and underground. Each level has magnificent and splendid halls, with over 300 colorful scenic spots throughout the cave. In front of the cave, the source of the Panyang River is clear and shimmering, while inside the cave, the natural sinkhole “Hundred Grass Garden” is lush and green. The bottom layer has flowing underground rivers, requiring visitors to take a boat to explore. The top level is the Jade Emperor’s Bedroom, luxurious and splendid. Among the opened attractions such as “Awakening Lion Showing Its Might,” “Great Wall,” “Lushan Waterfall,” “Dragon Palace Silver Pillar,” “Misty Holy Land,” and “Phoenix Worshipping Guanyin,” the diverse and stunning landscapes are simply overwhelming. All formations inside the cave are the result of hundreds of millions of years of karst development and can be regarded as the “Palace of Nature’s Art.” What’s even more unique is that Baimo Cave contains a sinkhole. Above the sinkhole is a cliff where families live—the hardworking and kind-hearted Gaoshan Tu Yao people who enjoy a peaceful and secluded life. Below the cliff is the Hundred Grass Garden, where all kinds of plants thrive vibrantly. When you visit in person, you will truly feel as if you are in a dreamlike scene: “There are homes on the cliffs, caves within the cliffs, jade trees viewed from the caves, as if entering a celestial realm.”

Cifu Lake is located in the northeast of Bama County, about 4 kilometers from the county town. The lake was naturally formed after the Hongshui River’s Yantan Hydropower Station dammed the river. Cifu Lake is over 4,000 meters long, more than 400 meters wide, with a total surface area of over 30,000 mu. Around the narrow lake are over 100 non-submerged mountain peaks, creating a scene of scattered islands—thus it is also called the “Long Lake of a Hundred Islands.” Across the narrow lake stands the Cifu Bridge, known as the best multi-structure combined bridge in Guangxi, dividing Cifu Lake into the Northeast Lake and Northwest Lake. On the shore of the Northeast Lake are Cat’s Head Mountain, shaped like a tiger’s head with cat ears, and Beauty Mountain on the west side of the lake, resembling a beautiful woman lying drunk by the shore. Together they guard the bridgehead, overlooking the vast waters with grandeur and beauty. Stretching several kilometers from the Sanjiangkou Bridge in the northwest to Bo Gui Village in the southeast, Cifu Lake features winding waters around peaks, serene waters with sparkling waves, presenting a picturesque watery landscape. On both sides of the lake are steep cliffs, solitary peaks, blue skies, green waters, and misty haze, resembling an ink painting casually splashed by an artist. On rainy days, amidst the misty rain, you can watch fishermen casting nets, small boats drifting slowly, wild ducks playing in the water, and in the distance, mist rising from the mountains, the Dragon’s Backbone fading away, and egrets flying alone—an uncommon tranquil watery scene in the bustling city. On sunny days, you’ll see green mountains embracing the lake, golden waves shimmering, birds singing softly, and fish swimming near the surface—a vibrant and leisurely scene. At Cifu Lake, you can experience its unique features: vast waters, winding islands, beautiful shores, majestic mountains, fragrant air, and sweet water, offering a feeling that rivals even West Lake. Major attractions of Cifu Lake include:

Cifu Three Islands

Ancient Banyan Climbing the Cliff

Four-Tiered Waterfall

Sleeping Beauty

Cat-Ear Mountain

Sanjiangkou Bridge

Cifu Night Scene: Fishing Boats with Lights Busy on the River

Longhong Stream is an important part of the Longhong Natural Scenic Area. Originating from Xiaobaimo Cave east of Pofeng Village, Longhong Stream winds around the west of the village, then turns southward, encircling the village. The village is surrounded by green peaks on three sides, with ancient banyans and slender bamboos leaning over the water, reflecting on the shimmering surface. Fishing boats appear and disappear beneath them, while birds sing and call across the fields—a true “earthly paradise” painted by mountains and waters. Major attractions include: Jade Maiden Testing Sword at the Emerald Pool, Jade Maiden Combing Her Hair, Stone Forest Miniature Scenery, Intertwined Trees by the Shore, Immortal Cane Crossing the Waves, and Guanyin’s Blessing Spring.

Jade Maiden Testing Sword: Longhong Stream originates from Baimo Cave, 200 meters east of Pofeng Village. Two adjacent cave entrances face west and south respectively, both about 3 meters high and 10 meters wide. The southern entrance serves as the water outlet, allowing sunlight to shine into the pool inside the cave, reflecting the wondrous sights within, creating a delightful scene. Near the cave entrance are four large stone pillars, like mighty men holding up the sky, supporting a huge loose rock threatening to fall from the cave ceiling. Several stalactites hang like swords, almost touching the water surface—hence the name Jade Maiden Testing Sword. The cave is about 50 meters long, with unfathomable depths, crystal-clear azure water, and a refreshing atmosphere, suitable for boating. Vines hang like curtains at the cave entrance, with stone curtains, stalactites, and peculiar rocks visible everywhere. Standing on the stone dam outside the cave, you can take in the green waters and mountains of Pofeng Village. The cave backs onto the towering Xishan mountain range, making it a wonderful cave for sightseeing and escaping the heat.