White Cloud Cave

White Cloud Cave

Located in Baiyun Mountain, about 4 kilometers northeast of Chongzuo city proper. The mountain runs from southeast to northwest, with continuous peaks stretching approximately 3 kilometers in length. Its main peak stands 246.9 meters high. As white clouds often linger on the western side of the mountain, it is named Baiyun Mountain (White Cloud Mountain). Along the mountainside, there are seven caves, among which White Cloud Cave is the most remarkable. The cave is about 6 meters wide, 12 meters high, and over 30 meters deep. Inside the cave, hanging rocks produce a resonant sound when struck. To the right of the cave stands an upright rock, vividly colored and shaped like a parrot—an extraordinary natural formation, hence named Parrot Rock. White Cloud Cave was built in the late Ming Dynasty. It is said that Ge Hong once refined elixirs here, and later ascended to immortality, transforming into white clouds—thus giving the cave its name. On the left wall in front of the cave, the three characters “Bai Yun Dong” (White Cloud Cave) were inscribed on the stone by Zhou Pu, a man from Fujian. The Qing Dynasty saw multiple instances of donation-funded renovations. In the 21st year of the Qianlong reign, local officials such as Magistrate Zha Li and County Magistrate Huan Yuzhang repaired the stone steps, erected steles, carved statues of deities, opened pathways, and built gates. Dozens of poetic inscriptions by literati were also carved on the cave walls. In front of the cave, shaded trees create a serene and tranquil atmosphere. During the Republican era, the cave was renovated again, and a statue of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy) was placed inside, along with a hanging bronze bell and a small room where a monk resided. Incense was burned and the bell was rung on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month. After the liberation, the statues and steles inside the cave were destroyed, and the inscribed stone tablets were damaged, leaving only the dilapidated cave. In January 1984, the county’s cultural and heritage authorities renovated the site. Now, stone steps have been built and a gate installed. The area has been freshly painted and designated as a tourist attraction.