Quanzhou Longyan Cave

Quanzhou Longyan Cave

Longyan Cave is located in Donggua Yuan, a branch of the Yuecheng Mountain Range, just 5 kilometers from Quanzhou County town and only 3 kilometers from National Highway 322. It was once one of the eight scenic wonders of the region in ancient times. Also known as Longyan Temple, the cave once housed the Puren Temple at its mouth during the Song Dynasty. Inside the cave lies a large round rock wedged in the middle of the water flow, which, when struck by the spring water, produces a loud noise that reverberates off the cave walls, resembling the sound of a dragon grinding its body—hence the name Longyan (Dragon Rock). During the Anti-Japanese War, Du Yuming, commander of the Fifth Army of the National Revolutionary Army, expanded and leveled the cave to build an armament factory. In 1969, the General Logistics Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army established a hospital here, further modifying and expanding the cave into the largest underground hospital in China and the only cave hospital in the entire military. The cave houses a five-story building (partially six stories), an auditorium, dining hall, square, and power station, covering a total floor area of 13,000 square meters, all equipped with full air-conditioning. --, Wu Xiuquan, Hong Xuezhi, and -- have all visited the cave for inspection.

The rear cave is shaped like a flared trumpet, resembling a giant dragon roaring with its mouth wide open. The cave entrance slants upward toward the sky, about 40 meters high and 30 meters wide, with the cliff walls adorned with stalactites, stone curtains, cascading waterfalls, and surging jade-like waves, with drops of water glistening—truly a spectacular sight. Behind the cave, ancient trees tower into the sky, and the primeval forest is lush and verdant. A lone mountain stands tall and continuous, exuding a unique spiritual aura, giving the ridge an especially solemn and ancient charm. The canyon stretches about 1,000 meters, with murmuring springs, serene and fresh, resembling a paradise on earth.