Ancient Niuhe River Daxiaodong Cave Scenic Area

Ancient Niuhe River Daxiaodong Cave Scenic Area

Ancient Niuhe River Daxiaodong Cave Scenic Area

The Daxiaodong Cave is situated at the base of the Niujiao Mountain Range in Fengxiang Village, Guobugua Township, along the Gu'niu River at the junction of Guobugua and Panlong Townships, about 15 kilometers from the Guobugua Township government. According to most elderly residents, the cave is extremely deep. Several groups that ventured inside failed to reach its end. In the early days after liberation, over ten brave young men prepared seven days’ worth of rations and lighting fuel to explore the cave. However, they had to turn back due to dwindling supplies. After emerging, they shared many astonishing and fascinating stories—such as underground rivers, dragon beds, stone benches, field ridges, and millet stalks within the cave. They also mentioned marking the complex areas with rice straw on the walls and lime dots on the ground, but upon returning, they found that where lime had been scattered, there were no traces—only grooves left by a python’s resting body. From this, they deduced they had unknowingly walked over the snake’s back. The tale sent chills down everyone’s spine, and since then, Daxiaodong Cave has become synonymous with mystery. Legends say the cave leads directly to Kunming and that Wu Sangui, the Prince who pacified the West, once attempted to develop it for military use—but all of this remains unsubstantiated, only adding another layer of myth to the already mystical cave. In the spring of 1998, a team of young employees from Guobugua Township uncovered part of the cave’s secrets. Daxiaodong Cave lies in the canyon section of the Gu'niu River, a tributary of the Beipan River. The cliffs on both sides are as steep as if carved by knives and axes. Lush vegetation surrounds the cave, while the riverbed is strewn with bizarre rocks. Ancient trees grow horizontally from the cliffs, and swallows and eagles soar above the valley. Below, the roaring river echoes powerfully. The combination of awe, danger, and wonder creates an immersive experience. Here, you can not only feel the grandeur of eagles soaring and fish gliding beneath clear waters, but also enjoy the serene charm of wild grasslands with drifting scents and distant herding songs. The high mountains, flowing waters, ancient trees, and quiet valleys form a perfect landscape. Upon first arrival, one cannot help but marvel at nature’s exquisite artistry. The legendary Daxiaodong Cave is nestled in the middle of this canyon. The towering cliffs rise sharply on both sides, forming a gently sloped hillside in front of the cave entrance. This slope is covered with tropical plants like bamboo and dragon bamboo. The cave entrance is about 20 meters wide and 40 meters high, approximately 60 meters above the ancient Niuhe River bed. At the top of the entrance hang dozens of stalactites of varying lengths and thicknesses, signaling that this is a cave of spectacular stalactite formations. Upon approaching, the first thing you hear are strange noises echoing from within the cave—eerie and haunting, like ghostly sounds or the sudden emergence of venomous snakes, fierce beasts, or mythical monsters ready to pounce. It sends shivers down your spine. The explored area of the cave is about 3,000 meters long and is divided into sections from the outside in: “Plaza,” “General’s Platform,” “Farmland,” “Jade Wall,” and “Stalactite Forest World.” About 50 meters into the cave from the entrance lies the “Plaza,” spanning approximately 3,000 square meters. It exudes a sense of vastness, tranquility, and solemnity. The floor is covered with sesame-like sandy soil, clean and elastic, leaving no footprints. Though the plaza has few scenic spots, their arrangement is harmonious. High on the cave walls hang variously shaped stalactites—delicate and graceful, resembling knives, swords, trees, flowers, or jade. Each angle offers a different view, most looking like icicles. On the left wall, there’s a cascade-like formation, giving the illusion of a waterfall in motion. At the plaza entrance stands a 4-meter-high stalagmite resembling the Golden Cudgel from *Journey to the West*, alongside a monkey-like stalactite that strikingly resembles the Monkey King. The surrounding rock walls feature various "exhibits" formed by magma. At the far left end of the plaza, a gently sloped, bright white rock face—like a white jade inlay—leads to a set of steps. Climbing about 30 meters up brings you to a platform resembling an ancient military general’s command post. Behind it stand dozens of stalactites of varying sizes, mostly thick, interconnected at the tops, forming irregular “gates.” Beyond these gates are more caves, and within them, more doors—left and right, interconnected. Inside, you’ll find “chessboards,” “single stools,” and some areas resembling screens. This area is made entirely of glowing starstone formations, elegant and sacred. Outside the “gate” is a 30-square-meter platform where you can overlook the entire plaza—the “Monkey King,” “Golden Cudgel,” and “Lion” are all in full view. Behind the plaza lies a winding path to the “Farmland.” First, there’s a well formed by dripping magma water from the cave ceiling, dripping every 30 seconds, steady year-round without increasing or decreasing. After the well comes a towering cliff over ten feet high, where predecessors carved more than ten footholds. Climbers must use both hands and feet to ascend. After traversing about a hundred meters of the “Hexi Corridor,” you’ll reach the “Farmland.” Spanning around 500–600 square meters, it features hundreds of “fields” of varying sizes—some tens of square meters, others as small as tea trays. The “field ridges” are peculiar: some resemble crawling snakes, others dancing ribbons, and most wind like the Great Wall through rugged mountains. The “fields” contain water—clear and still, so transparent it’s almost invisible, easy to accidentally step into. It’s so still it resembles a flat sheet of glass. Within the water are “mountains”—stalactites formed by dripping magma, resembling artificial rockeries. Atop these “mountains” are “skies,” forming “sky pools.” The water in these pools comes from regular drips of magma water from the cave ceiling, about every seven or eight minutes. There are also “millet stalks” in the fields—formed by dripping magma, most about an inch tall, scattered unevenly. The “Yellow River” once flowed through the fields, but it has dried up. Only during the rainy season does the “river” come back to life. Beyond the “Farmland” is a gentle slope leading to the “Jade Wall.” The cave walls here are entirely silvery-white, like the icy landscapes of the Arctic. Wherever light touches, it shimmers brilliantly, crystal-clear. Every patch of sand on the ground is equally bright and translucent, like countless twinkling stars. The pure white walls resemble waterfalls, streams, or giant white screens—each uniquely shaped, making the entire area look like a jeweled forest of ice and silver. Further inside, the cave slopes upward. After climbing a few steps, you’ll reach the “Stalactite Forest World.” Spanning 200 meters wide and about 100 meters high, the slope is crowded with hundreds of stalactites. Some have thin bases and thick tops, hanging midair; others resemble bamboo shoots, snow pines, mountains, trees, or pillars—infinite in variety. Over ten stalactites, tens of meters high and too thick for ten people to encircle, stretch from the cave floor to the ceiling, forming massive columns like legendary sky-supporting pillars. They lend a profound sense of stability and security. Looking up from below, most stalactites resemble humanoid figures clad in golden helmets and silver armor, armed and ready. In the dim light, they evoke visions of countless divine soldiers descending from the night sky or solemn guardians of the Heavenly Gate, arranged in the “Heavenly Gate Formation” to protect the heavens. Their imposing presence is awe-inspiring, deterring any reckless attempts to ascend further. This forest of stalactites covers over 10,000 square meters, rooted in the rocky slopes. The formation is grand, majestic, and spectacular—the most magnificent and breathtaking sight in the cave. Behind the “Heavenly Gate Formation,” nature doesn’t offer any “heavenly palace” scenes. The cave seems to end here. But careful observers will spot a tiny hole on the left wall—just large enough for a person to crawl through. It resembles the “mountain opening with a glimmer of light” described in Tao Yuanming’s *The Peach Blossom Spring*. But instead of light, the hole emits white mist like rolling waves, surging with intense heat and an almost suffocating temperature, reminiscent of a hot spring. Elderly locals nearby say another small cave leads inside, where the scenery is even more peculiar—but also dangerous. It contains underground rivers, suspended caves, and thick white fog. One could easily get lost or fall. Its depth is unfathomable, and those who’ve ventured in have never reached the end. Legend says it connects to Kunming—but the township exploration team never found this entrance.

As you spin around, the roaring sound of the river at the valley bottom merges with an atmosphere of awe, danger, wonder, and harmony — all blending into one. Being here, you can not only fully experience the heroic feeling of an eagle soaring through the sky and fish swimming gracefully in shallow waters, but also slowly savor the rustic charm of a gentle breeze carrying fragrant scents and the distant echoes of herdsmen’s songs. The combination of high mountain streams and ancient, secluded valleys forms a perfect landscape. Upon first arriving, you can’t help but marvel at nature’s exquisite craftsmanship. Nestled in the middle of this canyon section lies the legendary Daxiao Cave. Sheer cliffs rise dramatically on both sides leading up to the cave entrance, forming a gently sloped hillside in front of Daxiao Cave. This slope is covered with tropical plants such as palm bamboo and dragon-tail bamboo. The cave entrance is about 20 meters wide and 40 meters high, situated approximately 60 meters above the bed of the Ancient Niu River. Hanging from the top of the cave’s mouth are dozens of stalactites of varying lengths and thicknesses, signaling that this is a cave of extraordinary stalactite formations. Upon first approaching the cave, you’re greeted by a variety of eerie sounds emanating from within — haunting and terrifying, like demonic voices echoing one after another, or as if venomous snakes, fierce beasts, or even ghosts and monsters might suddenly leap out to attack. It sends chills down your spine. The explored area of the cave extends approximately 3,000 meters. From the outside in, it features sections known as the “Plaza,” “General’s Platform,” “Farmland,” “Jade Wall,” and “Stalactite Forest World.” About 50 meters inward from the cave entrance lies the “Plaza,” spanning around 3,000 square meters. It gives off a sense of vastness, serenity, and solemn dignity. The ground is covered with fine, sesame-like sandy mud — clean, springy, and leaving no footprints. While there aren’t many attractions on the plaza, they are thoughtfully arranged. High on the cave walls hang variously shaped stalactites, delicate and exquisite, resembling knives, swords, trees, flowers, or jade. Each angle offers a different view, most looking like icicles. On the left wall, one formation resembles a waterfall, giving the faint impression of cascading water. At the plaza’s entrance stands a 4-meter-high stalagmite shaped like the Golden Cudgel from *Journey to the West*, next to which is a stalactite resembling the Monkey King. The surrounding rock walls are covered with various “exhibits,” all formed from magma. At the far end of the “Plaza,” on the left wall, there is a gently sloped section with stair-like formations, bright and white as if inlaid with white jade. Climbing about 30 meters up these steps leads to a platform resembling an ancient military general’s command post. Behind the platform are dozens of stalactites of varying sizes, mostly thicker ones, many interconnected at their ends, forming uneven “gates.” These gates open into inner caves, which contain more gates, connecting left and right in a maze-like fashion. Inside, there are “chessboards,” “single stools,” and areas resembling screens. This attraction is made entirely of glistening starry stones, elegant, delicate, sacred, and solemn. Outside the “gate” lies a 30-square-meter flat platform. Standing on it, you can overlook the entire “Plaza,” with views of the “Monkey King,” the “Golden Cudgel,” and the “Lion” all in plain sight. Behind the “Plaza” lies a winding path to the “Farmland.” First, you’ll come across a well, formed by mineral-rich water dripping from the cave ceiling. The droplets fall every 30 seconds, year-round, neither increasing nor decreasing. After the well, there is an over ten-foot-high cliff where previous visitors have carved more than ten footholds. Climbers must use both hands and feet to ascend. After traversing about a hundred meters of what feels like the “Hexi Corridor,” you’ll reach the “Farmland.” Spanning approximately 500–600 square meters, the “Farmland” contains hundreds of “fields” of various sizes — some tens of square meters large, others no bigger than a tea tray. The “ridges” between them are uniquely shaped: some resemble crawling snakes, others dancing ribbons, and most wind like the Great Wall through rugged mountain terrain. Within the “fields” is water — clear and still, so clear it’s almost invisible, making it easy to accidentally step into. So still it lacks any ripples, like a smooth sheet of glass. Within the water are “mountains,” actually stalactites formed by dripping magma, resembling artificial rockeries. At the tops of these “mountains” are pools of water, forming “heavenly lakes.” The water in these “heavenly lakes” comes from regular mineral drips from the cave ceiling, about one drop every seven or eight minutes. There are also “valley grasses” in the fields, also formed by dripping magma, most about an inch tall, scattered unevenly. The “Yellow River” once flowed through the farmland, but it has now run dry. Only during the rainy season does the “river” come back to life. After passing through the “Farmland,” climb a gentle slope to reach the “Jade Wall.” The cave walls here are entirely silvery-white, resembling the icy landscapes of the Arctic. When illuminated, they shimmer brilliantly, crystal-clear. Every patch of sandy ground is equally bright and translucent, like countless twinkling stars. The pure white cave walls take on forms like waterfalls, streams, or giant white screens, each uniquely shaped. The entire scene looks like a fiery tree adorned with jade and silver blossoms. Moving further inward, the cave begins to incline upward. After ascending a few steps, you’ll enter the “Stalactite Forest World.” Spanning 200 meters in width and about 100 meters in height, this area features hundreds of stalactites densely lining the slope. Some have thin bases and thick trunks, appearing to hang midair. Others resemble bamboo shoots, snow pines, mountains, trees, or pillars — taking on a myriad of shapes. Over ten stalactites tower dozens of meters high, so thick that even ten people joining hands couldn’t encircle them. They stretch from the cave floor to the ceiling, forming massive pillars that resemble the legendary Sky-Supporting Pillars, seemingly holding up the cave roof and offering a profound sense of stability and security. Looking up from below, many of the formations resemble humanoid figures clad in golden helmets and silver armor, armed and ready. In the dim light, they evoke images of countless divine soldiers descending from the dark night sky or the solemn guardians of the Heavenly Gate Array stationed outside the majestic Southern Heaven Gate, exuding an awe-inspiring presence that makes one hesitate to venture further toward the “sky.” This forest of stalactites covers an area of over 10,000 square meters, rooted entirely on piles of rocks within the steep slope. The formation is grand, majestic, and spectacular — the most magnificent and awe-inspiring sight in the cave. Behind the “Heavenly Gate Array,” nature doesn’t offer any more heavenly palace-like attractions. The cave seems to come to an end, but observant explorers may spot a small hole on the left side of the cave, just big enough for someone to crawl through. It’s reminiscent of the “mountain with a small opening, faintly glowing” described in Tao Yuanming’s *The Peach Blossom Spring*. But instead of light, this hole emits white mist like rolling waves, surging powerfully within the cave. The temperature is high, making it suffocating, much like steam from a hot spring. According to elders near the cave, there’s another smaller entrance that leads to an even more peculiar area inside — though it’s dangerous, with underground rivers, hanging caves, and thick white fog. One could easily get lost or fall. Its depths are unfathomable, and none who’ve ventured in have reached the end. Legend says it connects all the way to Kunming, though exploration teams have yet to find that entrance.