Zifu Cave

Zifu Cave

Zifu Cave is located in Bairi Village, Nan’an Township, just across the river from the Thousand Buddha Cliff. It was artificially excavated. Cross the Qingyi River at the Lingquan Ferry, then follow the riverside path straight up to Huacheng Mountain. Halfway up the mountain slope, sheer cliffs come together like a gate, forming a narrow passageway with huge rocks overhead. The path resembles a ladder to the sky, creating a naturally perilous mountain pass known as the “Heavenly Immortal Pass.” After passing through the Heavenly Immortal Pass and climbing another half a li, you will arrive at the site of the ancient Lingquan Temple and the White Crab Well. Among the rocks here lies a large cave, which is Zifu Cave. Legend has it that this is where Li A of the Han Dynasty practiced alchemy and “ascended to heaven.” Above the cave entrance are the two characters “Zifu” (Purple Mansion), each as large as a dou (an ancient measuring vessel). The cave is thirty Chinese feet deep, about seven feet high, and six feet wide. According to the county annals, this cave is also called “Fairy Palm Cave,” and the cave entrance features palm prints left by Li A when he “ascended to heaven” after striking the rock.

Inside the cave are two travelogues dating from the 16th year of the Chunxi era (1189) and the 2nd year of the Duanping era (1235) during the Southern Song Dynasty, both highly praising the scenery in front of the cave: “Crossing the Dragon Gate, drinking from the Crab Spring, touching the Fairy’s Palm, and knocking on the Elixir Stove — with the breeze bright and all worldly sounds stilled, the pure and sublime delight is truly superior to that of Penglai.”

The cave also houses several Taoist statues.