Feixia Cave

Feixia Cave

Feixia Cave is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Guangdong Province.

Located on the northern bank of the middle section of Feilaixia, Feixia Cave was built in the first year of the Republic of China (1912) as a site that integrates Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. The temples and pavilions are built in tiers against the mountain, creating a spectacular scale. The most eye-catching structures are the central “Three Teachings Hall,” “Maitreya Buddha Hall,” and “Wuji Palace.”

There are also scenic pavilions, towers, and buildings such as the “Ligeng Study,” “Leshan Mountain House,” and “Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan Shrine.” The “Songfeng Pavilion” offers a great panoramic view of Feixia and is an excellent spot to watch the sunrise. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, Feixia Cave is renowned for its majestic architecture, with temple buildings built along the mountain slopes in terraces reaching up to seven levels, exuding the awe-inspiring presence of the Potala Palace and creating an illusion of soaring above the clouds. After rain, wisps of purple mist rise from the valley and drift over the rooftops, giving the place its name—Feixia (Flying Mist). The statues enshrined inside are vividly crafted and highly valuable. It is one of the few religious sites in China—and the largest in the Lingnan region—that harmoniously combines the Three Teachings. The ancient cave houses shrines to the founders of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, as well as various deities, spanning a construction area of over 20,000 square meters.

Built amidst dense forests and secluded valleys where clouds and mist linger for long periods, making the temple appear and disappear intermittently, it thus earned the name Feixia (Flying Mist). The precious bead on the roof tile of the main hall aligns perfectly in a straight line with the pointed peak of Luoxing Ridge in front and a natural stone Buddha on the hill behind the hall—an ingenious design. In the courtyard stands a centuries-old Yutangchun flower, a rare and precious plant bestowed by a Ming Dynasty emperor, which is worth seeing.

On Xueshan (Snowy Mountain), there are more than 30 attractions, including the Songfeng Sunset-Watching Pavilion, Changtian Tower, Ascetic Retreat, Dengji Bridge, Dizhi Shrine, and the Feixin Waterfall, as well as the Feishuitan natural swimming area. During the Spring Festival each year, a richly programmed “Feixia Temple Fair” and flower appreciation events are held. Coupled with the surrounding mountains, serene valleys, dense forests, flowing streams, and high negative ion content in the air, it is an ideal destination for summer retreats, leisure, and reconnecting with nature. The mountain features a full range of hotels and guesthouses catering to various budgets. A former member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of China and Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee remarked during his inspection in 1994: “Among Guangdong’s famous mountains, Feixia is the best.”

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units