Guanling Tianxing Cave

　　Located in the middle section of the Tianxing Scenic Area, not far from the left bank of the Silver Chain Waterfall. The cave features multiple massive chambers and numerous karst cave formations. Some of these formations are majestic and spectacular, others delicate and exquisite, and some are vibrant and colorful, presenting an overwhelming spectacle. The largest chamber stands over 50 meters high and has a diameter of 150 meters, covering a total area of more than 18,000 square meters. Inside the chamber, four elaborately carved stone pillars, each over 20 meters tall and covered with “crystal flowers,” resemble towering pillars reaching up to the sky. On a flowstone beach formed by calcium carbonate in one part of the cave, there’s a group of vividly shaped stalagmites that together form the scene of “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea.” Nearby, several brightly colored and uniquely shaped rimstone pools, along with small cloud-like discs and dripstones, combine to create a scene reminiscent of a “Heavenly Feast.” The colors inside Tianxing Cave are incredibly vibrant. The diverse formations paired with rich hues make the cave appear exquisitely translucent and splendidly magnificent. Gazing at the multicolored cave deposits, one can’t help but think of piles of gold and jade, ice-carved jade artworks, cloisonné, or Tang tri-color pottery.

　　The main features within the cave are largely shaped by human interpretation, characterized by their unique forms, exquisite beauty, and opulent splendor. Notable wonders in the cave include the Grape Chamber, filled with calcium carbonate gelatinous formations that resemble clusters and strands of grapes; a cluster of stalagmites scattered on the flowstone beach, resembling “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea”; as well as vividly colored and oddly shaped dripstones, rimstone pools, and stalactites that together evoke the image of a “Heavenly Feast,” as if laid out with golden cups and jade bowls, fine food, and ambrosial drinks. In addition, there are formations resembling a “lotus pond,” the “Great Wall,” “ice mountains and snowy plains,” “terraced fields of a Miao village,” as well as depictions of “birds, insects, fish, animals, flowers, trees, fruits, and vegetables” – all remarkably lifelike, as if the world’s rare treasures and heavenly marvels have all gathered here.

　　The southern cave is the largest, standing 6 to 10 meters high, 2 to 30 meters wide, and 70 to 90 meters long. There is a small hole in the front part of the cave ceiling that penetrates to the ground, allowing sunlight to stream in and create a sparkling starlight effect – hence the name Tianxing Cave, or “Star Cave.” To the north, there are two caves: the left cave stands 2 to 6 meters high, is about 100 meters long, and 15 to 20 meters wide, with numerous stalactites inside, each uniquely shaped.