Crane Cave Scenic Area

Crane Cave Scenic Area

The Crane Cave Scenic Area is located within the Huaying Mountain National Forest Park, 26 kilometers from Huaying City proper, covering an area of over ten thousand mu. The scenic area primarily features karst cave landscapes, incorporating high-mountain waterfalls, canyon caves, and forest lakes in a spectrum of colors. It is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Crane Cave extends over 20 kilometers, has four levels, and more than forty branch caves, along with 600-plus scenic spots. The lower-level caves often coexist with underground rivers, where the water is crystal clear. The cavities are densely packed with stalactites in all kinds of unique shapes. Experts have dubbed it "the No. 1 Cave in Western China."

Crane Cave was formed two thousand million years ago. Legend has it that the

“

crane

”

— believed to be the very crane of Wuhan’s Yellow Crane Tower — flew here after being captivated by the area’s breathtaking scenery and spectacular cave formations. It made its home in this cave, thus giving the cave its name.

The cave offers bizarre and dazzling landscapes. “

Lotus Emerging from the Water

”

,” “

Ancient Pine Greeting Guests

”

,” “

Little Bridge Over Flowing Water

”

,” “

Crane Resting By Listening to Spring

”

,” “

Submarine Facing Upward

”

,” “

Monk in Meditation

” — all the various images are strikingly lifelike. Especially in the Crane Grand Hall, the scenery gets even more fantastic, with stalactite formations in countless whimsical shapes covering the walls. Some resemble immortals in gathering, others look like sages playing flutes or musicians playing the lute. Beyond the grand hall, there's also a “

“

Washbasin

”

,” “

Pillar Reaching the Sky

”

,” “

Elegant Music Corridor

”

,” “

Celestial Music

”

,” and “

Sunset Glow

”

、“

Magpie Bridge Meeting

”

and other marvelous sights that dazzle the eyes. The largest chamber in the cave spans

500

square meters, with the highest point reaching

69

meters. There are nearly

50

side chambers and over

300

scenic spots. Inside the cave, the temperature remains mild year-round—cool in summer and warm in winter, like spring all seasons. A small river in the cave is home to a species of small fish whose internal organs are visible to the naked eye, commonly known as

“

glass fish

”

. Since its development began in

1998

, the cave has opened up over

2.8

kilometers to the public. Attractions such as the Dragon Palace, Labyrinth, Underwater World, and Dark River Path are currently under development.