Father and Son Rock

Father and Son Rock

At the confluence of the Li River and the Xiangjiang River lies Huzi Rock, also known as Father and Son Rock. About 8 kilometers from the city center, this solitary peak rises beside the river. The lone mountain stands majestically by the water, featuring a two-tiered cave inside — approximately 8 meters high, 4 meters wide, 20 meters deep, and covering an area of about 100 square meters. Inside the cave are one large and one small stalactite, both strikingly resembling human figures — the smaller one like a child sitting upright on the southern wall, and the larger resembling a father. The surrounding fields are picturesque, creating a scene straight out of a painting.

The Guilin region features karst topography. Geological studies indicate that around 300 million years ago, Guilin was once a vast ocean. Due to tectonic movements, the limestone deposits formed by the sea were uplifted into land. Over time, weathering and erosion shaped the area into towering, fairy-like peaks, deep and magnificent caves, and mysterious underground rivers. These unique karst landforms blend seamlessly with the ever-changing scenery of the Li River and the beautiful surrounding rural landscapes, forming the distinctive and world-renowned "green mountains, clear waters, spectacular caves, and exquisite rocks" that define Guilin’s landscape. Hence the saying, "Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven," and the origin of today’s Father and Son Rock.

At the meeting point of the Xiangjiang and Li Rivers, you’ll see a solitary peak rising beside the river with a hollow interior. The cave runs east to west through the mountain, long and narrow, several feet in height, and divided into upper and lower levels. The cliffs twist and turn, with glistening stalactites standing upright in various peculiar shapes. On the stone platform along the riverbank, there is an orange-colored stalactite at the top, resembling a child sitting on the platform. At the cave’s western exit, there is a dark, shiny stalactite that looks like a melancholy old man wearing a hood. This cave is thus called Father and Son Rock.

There are many folk tales about Father and Son Rock. One story tells of a father and son sitting face to face. Every day after fishing, the son would return and talk to his father about his day, sharing challenges he faced while out fishing. The father, always with a kind smile, would advise his son to be patient no matter what hardships he encountered — that enduring small injustices prevents greater disasters. Hence, the name Father and Son Rock.

Another tale says that in ancient times, there were a father and son surnamed Long, who were widely renowned shipbuilders. The ships they built could carry heavy loads, sail swiftly, and required no towing upstream or poling downstream. For over a year, a wealthy local landlord from Zhemu Market heard about a severe drought in Hepu, where crops had failed. Seeing an opportunity to profit, he hoarded all the local rice and planned to transport it to Hepu by boat in exchange for pearls. He then forced the Long father and son to build large ships for him. Swearing never to aid such exploitation, the duo chose to flee and hide in this cave to avoid the cruel task — eventually turning to stone. Today, the two stone figures leaning near the cave’s eastern and western entrances are said to be the elderly master craftsman and his young son. To commemorate them, locals named the cave Father and Son Cave.

A local delicacy popular around Father and Son Rock is the Lotus Seed Cake. This cake was made by a son in memory of his father, and has a uniquely delicious flavor. It is sprinkled with black sesame seeds, peanuts, red dates, lotus seeds, and white sugar. Though simply made, it can be prepared anytime — though one step is particularly labor-intensive: before steaming, the dough is pounded with stones over a hundred times, then steamed and topped with sugar before serving.

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