Luzhai Luorong Gaoyan

　　Located 3.5 kilometers southwest of the Luorong Town government seat, it is a limestone karst cave about 500 meters long, divided into upper, middle, and lower levels. The upper level is called White Elephant Cave, the middle level is called Dragon Coiling Cave, and the lower level is called Guanyin Cave. The three caves offer distinct scenery and picturesque views. Guanyin Cave gets its name from the statue of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy) enshrined inside. It can be reached by climbing over a hundred stone steps from the mountain foot. The cave is over 20 meters high and 15 meters wide, with a ceiling that resembles an upside-down giant bell. In the center of the cave hangs a stone curtain, beneath which sits a pedestal where the figure of Guanyin is enshrined. During the Song Dynasty, the scholar Wang Shize studied here in this serene and elegant spot before later becoming the top scholar in the imperial examinations. In the fourth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty, Magistrate Guo Yuanzuo erected a stele here inscribed with the words “Natural Mansion.” Dragon Coiling Cave earned its name because the roots of banyan trees break through the rocks, twisting and curling in a way that vividly resembles dragons coiled around the cave.

　　Inside the cave there is a hollow stalactite that is round, large, and smooth. When struck, it makes a drum-like sound. Not far from it is another hanging rock formation that rings like a bell when tapped. Visitors often find great delight in striking these formations. White Elephant Cave is as spacious and tall as a hall, with a white stone beast in the center. Its fat ears fan out like palm leaves, its thick legs stand like pillars, its soft trunk stretches long, and its eyes shine brightly—it vividly resembles a white elephant. Hence, the Song Dynasty transport commissioner Fang Xinru inscribed the words “White Elephant Cave” on the cave wall. Even more interestingly, at the cave entrance, there is a massive hanging stalactite lying horizontally across, smooth and flat like a bed. People who lie on it say it’s warm in winter and cool in summer, offering indescribable comfort—thus it’s dubbed the “Immortal’s Bed.” Gaoyan connects all three caves, offering a world of its own. Its marvelous sights captivate visitors, and its enchanting beauty entices people to linger and forget to leave.