Longyan

Longyan

Fifteen kilometers southeast of Longmen County, on the northern side of Pingling Market, stands a uniquely rugged rocky mountain with five caves: Banshiping Cave, Baimian Cave, Miaodianqian Cave, Masi Cave, and Lao Cave. Legend has it that in ancient times, this was where a group of dragons lay hidden, hence the name “Longyan.”

The Five Caves of Longyan each offer unique wonders. Banshiping Cave captivates with its vibrant and splendid rock scenery; Baimian Cave is remarkable for its two-tiered vertical structure; Miaodianqian Cave delights with its flowing springs; Masi Cave impresses with the depth and danger of its chasm; and Lao Cave charms with its long, narrow, and serene ambiance. Among them, Banshiping Cave is the most alluring. Nestled midway up the mountainside, it begins as a large stone chamber. Further inside, there are branching and side chambers, with the widest part able to accommodate five or six hundred people. Inside the cave, there are stalactites, stalagmites, stone draperies, and stone pillars that take on various shapes resembling objects and creatures—like hanging stone bananas, stone grapes, stone lotuses, stone rabbits, stone phoenixes, stone goats, and stone monks—each in vivid and lifelike postures.