Ancient Buddha Cave Scenic Area

Ancient Buddha Cave Scenic Area

The Ancient Buddha Cave Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Also known as Ancient Buddha Rock, the Ancient Buddha Cave derives its name from the stalagmites and stalactites inside the cave that resemble immortals and Buddhas. In ancient times, Buddha statues were placed within the cave, and a Buddhist temple was built at its entrance. It is located 5 kilometers southwest of Lechang City, Guangdong Province.

The Ancient Buddha Cave Scenic Area is divided into three palaces—Jade Emperor, Journey to the West, and Carefree—and four halls—Ancient Buddha, Guanyin, Queen Mother, and Golden Dragon. Various stalagmites, stone flowers, stone pillars, and stone curtains are either embedded within or hanging from the cave, presenting a spectacular array of shapes. The Ancient Buddha Rock also features 300-million-year-old seabed coral fossils and a rare large stone brain, which are also considered marvels.

Ancient Buddha Rock is a typical example of underground karst topography and is a large limestone cave. The cave has three overlapping levels, with the highest point reaching 30 meters and a total area of over 12,000 square meters. The temperature inside remains constant at 19–20 degrees Celsius year-round. The scenic area within the cave is mainly divided into seven palaces: Ancient Buddha Hall, Guanyin Hall, Queen Mother Hall, Jade Emperor Palace, Journey to the West Palace, [missing text], and Golden Dragon Hall, with a total tour route of 570 meters. The cave features stalagmites, stone flowers, stone pillars, and stone curtains in a myriad of shapes—some embedded, some hanging—displaying vibrant colors and diverse scenes, forming a spectacular sight. The most remarkable feature is the cluster of stalactites that resemble immortals and Buddhas, each with unique forms and expressions. The cave also contains 300-million-year-old seabed coral fossils and a rare large stone brain, both seldom seen and equally marvelous.

The cave’s “Half Moon,” massive stone brain, and 300-million-year-old seabed coral fossils are particularly rare even within China.

The first sight upon entering the cave is the Ancient Buddha Hall. Within this uniquely formed Buddha hall made of stone curtains and stalactites, three small stalagmites are arranged in a way that resembles three Buddha statues. Their solemn and serene expressions create a reverent atmosphere, with a divine glow illuminating the hall. About 10 meters away from the Buddha statues stands a stone pillar resembling a giant banyan tree, tall and upright with lush foliage, known as the “Ancient Banyan in Layers of Green.” Beneath the banyan tree are groups of “shepherds” leading “herds of cattle,” joyfully returning home in the setting sun. Next to the banyan tree is a secluded vertical cave, with larger caves overlapping smaller ones, adding an extra layer of mystery to the beautiful scenery. Passing through winding stone paths, you arrive at the Guanyin Hall. There, a white stalagmite resembles a blooming lotus, with the compassionate and gently downward-gazing “Guanyin” Bodhisattva seated within the flower. Beside Guanyin is another stalagmite resembling the Goddess of Childbirth, holding a baby. Countless small stalactites around them look like immortals coming to pay homage. One of them resembles the Jade Emperor’s minister Tai Bai Jin Xing, greeting with cupped hands. All these vividly form a scene of the “Bamboo Grove of Purple Bamboo.” Opposite the Guanyin Hall is the wondrous landscape of Penglai Immortal Island. Penglai is a legendary fairy mountain on the sea, and its uniqueness lies in the mirage phenomenon often seen over the ocean. The scenery here features vast seas and skies, clear reflections on the water, with a faint mirage of a distant city barely visible. The red, arched area resembles a city gate, with various buildings scattered densely inside, presenting a magnificent view.

A few dozen steps ahead from the Guanyin Hall, you enter the Queen Mother Hall. Here, the lively scene of the Peach Banquet unfolds. Above your head, a circular stone curtain hangs high in the air like a snow-white canopy. Nearby, “immortal elders,” “cranes,” “fairies,” and “immortal children” are playing. Behind them are plates of peaches, and a “mischievous monkey” is seen stealing peaches and then hiding under the shade of a tree, half-asleep. After the Queen Mother Hall comes the Jade Emperor Palace, a grand and majestic hall. Jade pillars rise from the ground, their tops sparkling with silver blossoms, creating a breathtaking “fire-tree-and-silver-flower” scene. “Heavenly soldiers and generals” guard the sides of the Jade Emperor’s throne, looking imposing. In this solemn Jade Emperor Palace, there are even two leisurely “lazy immortals” drinking wine and playing chess on clouds. Opposite the Jade Emperor Palace, a large turtle carries a huge golden bell. Beside the bell, two “fairies” dressed in red and white step on auspicious clouds, resembling celestial maidens descending to the mortal world. To the upper left, a row of several-meter-long stalactites resembles an eagle spreading its wings, watching over a group of “chickens” on the ground. One stalagmite looks like a mother hen, with its head raised and tail upright, sensing impending danger and urgently calling its chicks to escape the eagle’s attack. Leaving the Jade Emperor Palace, as you descend the stone steps, a stone curtain in the distance resembles a massive waterfall cascading from the sky. The poet Li Bai’s verse “Its torrent dashes down three thousand feet from high / As if the Silver River fell from the blue sky” perfectly captures this scene. It is said that this large stone curtain is the biggest found in any cave across six central and southern provinces. Below the curtain, on horseback, are the “Tang Monk,” the “Sha Monk” leading the horse, the “Sun Wukong” scratching his head, and the “Zhu Bajie” with long ears and a long snout—all brought to life by your imagination. The Journey to the West Palace also features the largest stalagmite in the entire Ancient Buddha Rock, standing about 12 meters tall and requiring seven or eight people to encircle it. It resembles a giant jade carving, engraved with snow lotuses, corn, cockscomb flowers, and more, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.

Walking straight up from the Journey to the West Palace, you reach the highest point of the cave. The scenery here is richly layered and expansive, with rolling mountains, lush forests, bamboo groves, and rare trees—like a forest park. This heavenly mountain scenery offers visitors a feast for the eyes. At the same time, looking back at the Journey to the West Palace from here feels like standing above the clouds and gazing down at the earth. The white stone curtain hanging in the clouds nearby resembles a crescent moon, and this beautiful sight is called “Viewing the Moon at Yao Pool.”

The final sight of Ancient Buddha Rock is the Golden Dragon Hall. Here, a stalactite hanging over ten meters high along the cave wall resembles a giant dragon, with its head, horns, eyes, body, and scales shining brilliantly and lifelike. After enjoying the wonders inside the cave, the golden dragon awaits you here to bid you farewell, wishing you a safe journey home and hoping you’ll visit again. This sight is called “Golden Dragon Seeing Off Guests.”

People call Ancient Buddha Rock the “Reed Flute Cave of Guangdong,” but compared to Guilin’s Reed Flute Cave, it has its own unique charm and characteristics. A poem praises it: “The Ancient Buddha Cave offers endless sights, / The Jade Emperor Palace, a terrestrial paradise. / The Guanyin stone, formed drop by drop over a thousand years, / The welcoming pine, shaped over ten thousand years. / Arhats pile up green towers with skill, / Immortals play tricks with the yellow dragon. / Silver flowers and snow bamboo show wondrous forms, / Purple trees and peaches display unique red hues.”

Admission Ticket

Admission ticket: 60 RMB

Location

5 kilometers south of Lechang City, Shaoguan, Guangdong

Yueqiu Village: Yueqiu Village…… Yueqiu Village detailed information++