Guidong

Guidong

Guidong

Guidong — A hidden cave paradise amidst a vast sea of bamboo. Located just 6 kilometers east of the county town in the Ten-Thousand-Mu Bamboo Corridor Scenic Area, the cave complex is nestled among the mountains. The karst cave system stretches approximately 4 kilometers in length, with widths ranging from 5 to 50 meters. It has been celebrated for millennia for its flowing springs, the charm of surrounding bamboo, and the stunning, ever-changing cave scenery, with crystal-clear spring water running all the way into the cave. Towering cliffs and jagged rock faces stand opposite one another, while the cave entrance is broad and flat. Looking up, it resembles the upside-down head of a majestic lion. An ancient poem describes it: “Lofty cliffs rise through wreaths of purple mist, fierce beasts hang upside down in grotesque display. Mountain streams cleanse the bamboo’s gentle song, as one drifts into this dreamlike cave domain.” Inside the cave are grand and small chambers, platforms, and cloud-like stairs, along with “thousands of hills and myriad mounds of earth.” Legend has it that immortals once dwelled here in ancient times. The valley is deep, and a clear spring flows noisily out from within the cave. Dark pools and rugged rocks abound — once you arrive, you’re sure to feel an extraordinary sense of wonder. The cave features a forest of stalagmites and flowing stalactite draperies, some resembling the nude form of a maiden, others like sheer garments lightly draped over her delicate figure.

Outside the cave, countless dense forests and bamboo-covered ridges take on hazy, faint outlines at dawn or under the slanting light of sunset, resembling an ink-wash painting full of poetic charm. In the distance, emerald-green mountains and bamboo groves roll on like endless waves. Following the winding mountain paths and meandering rivers that lead upward from outside the cave, you’ll find yourself flanked by bamboo on both sides, with small villages peacefully nestled within the green sea of bamboo. As you walk along, you’ll hear birds singing all around. Hiking up to the highest point of Shiwangou, you’ll encounter peach blossoms in full bloom along the way in spring, and fiery red azaleas covering the hillsides. From the summit of Dushan Mountain, the vast expanse of bamboo forests spreads out before your eyes. Watch eagles soaring high in the sky, shepherds returning home at dusk, and wisps of smoke rising gently from farmhouses. Witness the art of traditional handmade papermaking in its most authentic form. The breathtaking beauty of this scenic route makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back into ancient times. The site welcomes over 3,000 visitors every year.