Pan Mountain Grottoes

Pan Mountain Grottoes

The Pan Mountain Grottoes are a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Pan Mountain Grottoes

Pan Mountain Grottoes (Fourth Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites)

Era: Ming Dynasty

Location: Hutuodian Village, Yuquan Town, Tianzhen County

Carved in the fifth year of the Hongzhi reign during the Ming Dynasty (1492) under the supervision of guerrilla general Dong Gong. The grottoes are located on the eastern cliff of Pan Mountain, facing west, and consist of two caves to the north and south, commonly known as the Big Stone Cave and the Small Stone Cave. The northern cave is the Big Stone Cave, also called the “Immortal Cave.” Its entrance is carved into a steep cliff, making the approach perilous and climbing difficult. To enter, one must cross a plank walkway and a single-plank bridge known as the “Immortal Bridge.” The cave is 3.6 meters wide, 3.7 meters deep, and 2.9 meters high.

The southern cave is the Small Stone Cave, also known as the “Guanyin Cave.” It is 3.25 meters wide, 3.7 meters deep, and 2.58 meters high, with a shrine platform 0.69 meters high. The inner walls of the cave feature high-relief carvings. The central wall depicts Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Guanyin Bodhisattvas, while the sides feature the Eighteen Arhats, all well preserved.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units