Rhino Cave

Rhino Cave

Zhenning Rhino Cave is located at the foot of Dongpo Mountain (also known as Zhenning Mountain) to the east of Zhenning Buyi and Miao Autonomous County, one kilometer from the county town and fifteen kilometers from Huangguoshu Waterfall. Cars can drive directly to the cave entrance. In 1978, two fossilized ox bones were discovered inside the cave, leading to the renaming of the original “Fire Ox Cave” to “Rhino Cave.”

Rhino Cave, with an overall length of approximately 500 meters, is an ancient karst cave. For the convenience of visitors, narrow and difficult sections have been paved with cement walkways. The cave walls feature karst formations resembling delicate branches and silver blossoms. Not far inside the cave, there are two side openings on the left and right, collectively known as the “Little Cross.” The right passage is called the “Milky Way,” which leads out to the eastern slope of Dongpo Mountain. Inside the left passage, there is a stone platform about ten meters high and five meters wide. On the platform stands a stone niche where the hardened mineral deposits resemble curtains adorned with “jade pendants.” Within the niche, a karst formation resembles the Goddess of Mercy, hence named the “Guanyin Hall”; on either side, hardened mineral flows look like bamboo, called the “Bamboo Grove”; opposite is the “Arhat Hall.” There is also a massive stalagmite column, a rare marvel within the cave and seldom seen elsewhere. The column connects from the cave ceiling down to the floor, with a circumference exceeding that of three people, standing over thirty meters tall—so grand that looking up might almost make your hat fall off. Its middle section resembles bamboo joints, crafted as if from intricately hollowed-out ivory, exquisitely transparent and magnificent, earning it the name “Pillar Supporting the Heavens.” Scientists estimate that this stalagmite took at least one million years to form. Further ahead, the terrain slopes, with continuous mineral drips year-round, leaving the path wet and slippery, known as “Slippery Oil Mountain.” Behind this “mountain,” the cave opens up into a vast chamber featuring a cross-shaped passageway called the “Big Cross,” which can accommodate up to a thousand people. On the upper right, hardened mineral deposits form fan-like shapes. When tapped with a stick or stone, they produce clear musical tones, complete with all eight traditional notes, and the lingering resonance is delightful. When played skillfully, the sounds are especially pleasing to the ear, hence named the “Music Stage.” Below the stage lies a spacious area filled with a forest of stalagmites resembling humans, objects, birds, beasts, flowers, and trees. Bats fly overhead while visitors walk among them, creating the feel of stepping into a grand ballroom, thus called the “Dance Floor.” Nearby stands another column, slightly smaller than the first, surrounded by stone curtains and drapes, stone lions and elephants—an impressive array. There is also a pool about twenty-seven meters deep and over twenty meters wide. The pool connects underground to the “Black Cave” at the foot of Dongpo Mountain and the city-spanning river. Fish live in the pool, and the mineral-rich water is drinkable.

Electric lights have been installed in the cave, illuminating the karst formations to even more fantastical effect. Over the years, many poets and visitors have penned verses in praise of Rhino Cave. Wei Lun’s “Inscription on the Wall of Fire Ox Cave” reads: “Why is the ancient cave called Fire Ox? Its legends are too marvelous to fully recount. Thousand-foot dragon pillars prop up the cloud canopy, while pearl curtains hang from the jade hooks along the four walls. Grand drums and bells play noble tunes, and flowing robes hint at immortal company. Starlight shimmers in this crystal-clear realm, as if one were in a heavenly palace of five phoenixes.”

Currently, the cave has been closed due to various reasons. However, its beautiful and unique landscapes await visionary investors for development.

Location

Approximately 1 kilometer east of Zhenning Buyi and Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province, on Dongpo Mountain