ChuanYun Cave Park (Great Buddha Cave)

ChuanYun Cave Park (Great Buddha Cave)

ChuanYun Cave is one of the major scenic spots in Xingyi City, located on ChuanYun Mountain east of Yunnan Street. It lies to the west of Huaqiao River, facing Shuijing Mountain across the way, with the Ox Nose Bridge connecting the two. The front cave entrance faces southwest, wide and bright; the rear cave door is situated on the mountainside to the north, combining danger with beauty. The cave can accommodate hundreds of people for leisure and sightseeing. The cave walls are rugged and jagged. The cave winds through with hanging stalactites in a myriad of shapes, presenting a spectacular view. Qian Bangqi (style name Kaishao, from Dantu, Jiangsu), who served as the Guizhou Provincial Governor under the Southern Ming Dynasty’s Yongli Emperor, wrote a poem: “Coming and going through the clouds on a five-foot vine, I often climb fine peaks and splendid temples. The boundless blue sky holds a perfect moon; the scholarly chamber hosts a solitary lamp for a thousand years. Though my hair has turned white, I can still return to my homeland; though my eyes are dry, I dare not gaze upon the imperial tombs. Don’t let the black robe stifle the tears of the mortal world — I am still the monk who once took the vows.”

The ChuanYun Cave ancient structures were initially built during the Ming Dynasty but were later destroyed in warfare. They were rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. In the 21st year of the Guangxu reign (1895), local gentry Liu Xianqian, recognizing the cave’s extraordinary landscape, initiated its restoration. A five-story wooden structure with an apex roof was built inside the cave. To honor Wang Yangming as a sage, the restored cave was renamed “Yangming Cave” to commemorate Wang Yangming’s contributions to education in Guizhou. Since a stone statue of Wang Yangming was enshrined in the cave’s niche, it became commonly known among locals as “Great Buddha Cave.” In the 33rd year of Guangxu (1907), Liu Xianqian raised funds again to renovate the site, adding “Tinghui Tower” and “Hanhao Pavilion” on the cliffs by the rear cave entrance, with three rooms built at the base of the pavilion. Nie Zunwu, the Xingyi Prefect during the Qing Xuantong era, inscribed a couplet for Hanhao Pavilion: “Ascend to take in the sights, with mountain views on three sides and water on one; build above the void, with eight parts human effort and two parts heaven.” Xie Jiong from Duyun wrote “A Record of Visiting ChuanYun Cave,” which was engraved on a stone tablet and erected at the cave entrance. In 1937, Liu Xianqian carried out further renovations and established the “Yangming Ravine Renovation Fund Management Committee” to ensure ongoing maintenance funding. Liu also authored “A Record of Yangming Cave,” which was engraved on stone and placed on the right side of the cave.

The ChuanYun Cave ancient architectural complex has endured centuries of vicissitudes, experiencing multiple periods of rise and decline. In 1953 and 1981, the Xingyi County People’s Government conducted two large-scale restorations, restoring the site to its former glory. In 1991, a karst cave was discovered on Niuchangpo, and the Xingyi Municipal People’s Government developed this cave and added auxiliary structures, turning ChuanYun Cave into a public park for the city.

Attraction Location

Yunnan East Road, Xingyi City, Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, China

Admission Fee

Free