Immortal's Abode Cave

Immortal's Abode Cave

Immortal's Abode Cave is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Immortal's Abode Cave is located at Carear Cliff on the border of Changning and Jiangning counties, and is one of the more significant scenic spots in the Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea. The surrounding area features winding mountain ridges and steep crimson cliffs. To reach Immortal's Abode Cave, visitors must ascend a pathway built along the cliffside. After climbing about a hundred meters, they will arrive at the cave entrance. The cave is 15 meters high and approximately 10 meters deep, containing over 40 stone-carved Buddhist and Taoist deities. Originally a natural rock cavity, Immortal's Abode Cave stretches over 300 meters in length and 2 to 15 meters in both width and height. Above the cave lies a vast expanse of bamboo forest, while below it is the vast Bamboo Sea Grand Canyon.

Facing the Hanging Arm Rock cave cluster across the Bamboo Sea Grand Canyon, the view alternates between misty waves and gathering clouds, causing Immortal's Abode Cave to appear and disappear within the foggy vapors. From inside the cave, visitors can gaze out at the endless green vines and boundless emerald waves. On clear days when the clouds disperse, one can even overlook the farmland scenery stretching for dozens of miles. In reality, Immortal's Abode Cave serves as a shared sacred site for both Buddhism and Taoism. The wooden structures built along the cave’s face have been damaged, but the original form of the stone cave remains intact, and the former flourishing incense offerings can still be discerned. In 1994, Hong Kong writer and researcher at the International Buddhist Studies Association, Venerable He Jie, funded the construction of a reclining statue of Sakyamuni and the Purple Bamboo Guanyin. In 1997, the Changning County Cultural Relics Management Office rebuilt the Mahavira Hall and the Minor Mahavira Hall, gradually restoring the site’s ancient appearance. The eastern entrance to Immortal's Abode Cave, which leads down from the Bamboo Sea mountains, is known as the East Mountain Gate. The area from the East Mountain Gate to the Monks’ Hall is designated for Buddhist activities. The southern entrance, accessed by ascending from the Bamboo Sea Grand Canyon, is called the South Mountain Gate. The area from the South Mountain Gate to the Laojun Hall is designated for Taoist activities.

Protected area: east to Ox Pen Cave, west to Elixir Refining Room, up to cliff edge, down to valley stone base, extending east via meditation stone base to Qingliang Mountain.

Construction control zone: eastward 50 meters from Ox Pen Cave toward Yellow Umbrella Stone, westward 20 meters from Elixir Refining Room (currently the accommodation area), up to the forested mountain trail, down 15 meters from the Immortal's Abode Cave entrance (from Ox Pen Cave to Elixir Refining Room).