Guiguling Thousand Buddha Cave

　　The Thousand Buddha Cave is situated on the southern foothills of Guiguling, 4 kilometers from Yingfeng Town. The cave is 10 meters deep, 4 meters high, and 6 meters wide. It was constructed during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty and renovated during the Daoguang reign. In the past, the Taoist shrine here flourished greatly and was well-known across southern Shaanxi and the Han River basin in Hubei.

　　Today, 28 stone-carved statues remain inside the cave. Each statue is exquisitely crafted and remarkably lifelike. Some are even painted with vibrant, glossy colors that shine brilliantly. The stone carving techniques are highly refined, with delicate and precise carvings. The 28 statues each have distinct expressions, postures, and features—this is an artistic treasure trove left to posterity by our ancestors’ ingenious craftsmanship.

　　According to elders, in the past, the area around the Thousand Buddha Cave not only featured towering peaks, winding streams, rushing waterfalls, and emerald-green forests, but also elegant pavilions, exquisite towers, majestic halls, and lofty bell towers. Although the towers, pavilions, and halls no longer exist, the natural scenery remains, making it still a place people long to visit.

　　To get to the Thousand Buddha Cave from Yingfeng Street, first walk up Gongjian Gully, then climb a steep slope. The slope is covered with dense, lush trees. A narrow path winds through the woods like a snake. There are many unnamed tree species in the forest—some spread out like umbrellas, some stand tall like pagodas, and others stretch out like birds spreading their wings, displaying a variety of forms. Along the way to the Thousand Buddha Cave, the steepness of the mountain and the length of the road go almost unnoticed.