Guanyang Divine Palace

Guanyang Divine Palace

Guanyang Divine Palace was originally called Black Rock. It is located in Sudong Village, Hongqi Township, 7 kilometers northwest of the county town, and 156 kilometers from Guilin, a world-renowned tourist city. This cave features magical and fascinating scenery that is rare in the world. Inside the cave is a crystal-clear river of spring water, with the water volume changing seasonally between 4 units, a flow speed of 0.2–0.3 meters per second, an average depth of 1.5 meters, and a maximum depth of 7.5 meters. Visitors can take boats or small vessels to tour the beautiful sights within the cave. The cave averages several meters in height and is about 30 meters wide, with the highest and widest parts exceeding 100 meters, and its full depth is unknown. In late October to early November 1969, a nine-person investigation team from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's 272 Geological Brigade spent eight days and nights exploring the cave but did not reach its end. The cave is filled with stalactites, including stone stalagmites, stone figures, stone dragons, and various other rock formations, all in diverse and spectacular shapes. The first attraction is “Group of Dragons Winding through the Pool,” where thousands of upside-down stone dragons hang down—some with their heads raised looking down, others appearing to dive into the water. As visitors travel by boat along the winding path, they pass by uniquely shaped peaks and rocks at different heights and distances—some resembling the “Lofty Buddha,” sitting upright with eyes slightly closed, hands on knees, staring at the spring river and guarding the precious mountain. Others vividly look like the Goddess of Mercy and a lovely village maiden, particularly adorable under a shimmering glow. Especially the Goddess of Mercy, with her slightly shy face, resembles a passionate young lady warmly welcoming the endless flow of tourists—an endlessly fascinating view that leaves people spellbound. No wonder some humorously refer to her as the “Seductive Goddess of Mercy.” In the vast space that feels like “the sky as a dome covering the land,” the heavy rice ears from Nitian fields, fresh flower carp, sweet oranges, purplish-red apples, and peaches and plums are stacked into patterns symbolizing a rich harvest. Moving further in, visitors feel as if they’ve reached the top of a heavenly pillar, with panoramic views of mountain ranges, vast plains, ancient city walls, and tall pine and cypress trees—an idyllic scene like the Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming. Interestingly, most residents living outside the cave now have the surname Tao—an amusing coincidence. There are many more magical, spectacular, and incredibly crafted sights within the cave that are truly breathtaking. The cave also offers cool, fresh breezes and clean air, making it even more comfortable than being outside—an experience so wonderful that visitors find it hard to leave.

　The cave is of unknown depth and has a large and constant flow of water year-round. The spring water is crystal clear, with visibly large fish. The waterways align entirely with the cave routes, and the riverbed is relatively wide. The average water depth in the cave is 1.5 meters, with a maximum depth of 7.5 meters. The water flow speed is 0.2–0.3 meters per second. The average height of the cave is 18 meters, and the average width is 15 meters.

The karst formations inside the cave are well-developed, featuring a rich variety of cave landscapes such as stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, stone curtains, stone waterfalls, stone terraces, stone grapes, and stone flowers—all dazzling and uniquely shaped. At 2.5 kilometers into the cave lies an extremely expansive and grand stone forest. Approximately 7.5 kilometers from the cave entrance, there is a 4-meter-high cave waterfall that echoes powerfully due to the acoustics inside. The flowing water inside the cave enhances air circulation, resulting in fresh and sweet air that refreshes the senses. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 18°C throughout the year, warm in winter and cool in summer, making it suitable for visits in all seasons.

Source: Guangxi Guanyang County People's Government Website