The GanYang Cave

GanYang Cave

The “Liaoge” folk songs originally originated from GanYang Rock in Silin Town, Tiandong County, Guangxi. They gradually emerged and took shape during the slave society to feudal society periods, when young Zhuang men and women gathered to sing in opposition to war and chaos, and in pursuit of a beautiful and free life. GanYang Rock is world-renowned as the “Sacred Land of Liaoge,” attracting thousands of singers from Tiandong and Pingguo as well as many tourists from other regions, making it one of the famous scenic spots in Tiandong County.

Silin Town is located in the eastern part of Tiandong County, bordering Pingguo County. About 5 kilometers north of the town lies the widely known GanYang Rock. It is a large limestone karst cave, situated on the mountainside south of a large rocky hill near Dingguang Village. Below the mountain, a stream babbles, while lush trees shade the area outside the cave entrance, where light mist often lingers, creating a truly enchanting scene. Amid the tranquility, the sounds of chickens and human voices from nearby mountain villages can be heard. Inside the cave, there are numerous wonders. The entrance is spacious, about 100 square meters, and slopes downward gradually. The cave floor is made of solidified mud and sand, flat as a mirror and as wide as a basketball court. There are bowl-sized holes in the cave ceiling that connect to the outside, allowing sunlight to stream in like spotlights onto the cave floor, decorating the entire cavern like a stage in a fairyland. Further inside, the cave gradually becomes narrower and more winding, extending deep into the mountain for over a kilometer. Inside, stalactites abound, and the walls and rocks are uniquely beautiful, resembling fruit and vegetable gardens, the dances of immortals, the struggles of animals, and the undulations of mountains — all sculpted vividly on the walls and standing firmly within the cave. Stalagmite formations resembling “lotus basins,” “lotus flowers,” “lotus pods,” “lotus seeds,” and “chessboards” are commonly seen. Visitors can't help but marvel at these natural masterpieces.

The 19th day of the second lunar month is said to be the day when the Song Immortal came to GanYang Rock to spread the “seeds of song.” Every year on this day, people of all ages from the surrounding areas flock to GanYang Rock like a tide. Inside the cave and on the hillsides, crowds gather to sing duets, hold singing competitions, and enjoy performances. In the song fair, people beat drums, set off firecrackers, burn incense, and sing loud and heartfelt mountain songs to joyfully celebrate this commemorative festival marking the birth of Liaoge, while also appreciating the unique scenery of GanYang Rock. The “Liaoliao—Liaoliao” singing echoes back and forth, continuously resounding through the green fields and mountains.