Dragon Coil Cave

　　Dragon Coil Cave, located on Cave Mountain, about 10 kilometers southeast of Xihe County in Longnan. Because it is situated on steep cliffs that are difficult to climb, legend has it that only flying dragons could come and go here, hence the name.

　　1. The Cave Entrance

　　Following a winding, zigzagging mountain path and climbing step by step with heavy breaths until nearing the mountaintop, you can see an ancient cave hanging on the cliff. The area around the cave is covered with thick green moss, weeds, thorny vines, and creeping plants. The cave opening is broad and high, with the three large characters “Dragon Coil Cave” carved on it. On the left and right stone walls of the cave entrance are engraved lengthy inscriptions in various styles—some in clerical script, others in regular script. Though the characters are worn and fragmented, the general meaning can still be discerned. Some describe the appearance of Dragon Coil Cave, some recount the rain prayers held here during severe droughts, but most are poetic praises of the cave’s beauty. Hanging above the cave entrance is a gracefully shaped boulder, on which a couplet is engraved. Due to years of weathering, the words are no longer legible, but the horizontal inscription “Cave Entrance” is still clear, along with the date “Guimonth, the second year of the Guangxu reign” (1876) written below.

　　2. The Inner Cave

　　At the foot of the huge rock is a pool of clear spring water. The surface is not large, flat as a mirror, and upon closer inspection, the source of the water comes from behind the rock. By crouching down and entering through the cave opening that resembles a mouth behind the boulder, you can reach the inner cave.

　　The inner cave features caves within caves, with winding paths, ups and downs, and varying widths. In the higher sections, people can stand upright, while in the lower parts, one must crawl. Wide areas allow two people to walk side by side, while narrow sections only permit a single person to squeeze through sideways. Locals refer to these as “Heaven Corridor,” “Earth Forehead” (local dialect referring to lower channels), and “Human Alley.” It is said that ascending through the Heaven Corridor could lead to Wudu, but due to the cave’s depth and unpredictable dangers, no one has yet reached the end. Descending through the Earth Forehead is even more perilous, requiring one to move back step by cautious step. During severe droughts, locals would select 12 brave men, each born under a different zodiac sign, to come here and draw water, symbolizing prayers for divine rain.

　　The inner cave has stalactites on the ceiling that interlock like jagged teeth, appearing strange and ever-changing, with dazzling colors. Water droplets occasionally fall from the ceiling, making a tinkling sound, creating the feeling of being in a “fairy music hall.” Visitors can imagine many enchanting mythical tales.

　　3. A List of Rock Caves in Gansu

　　Rock Caves. There are 7 rock cave viewing spots.

　　Grade B: Wudu Wanxiang Cave.

　　Grade C: Luqu Zecha Stone Forest.

　　Grade D: Baiyin Underground Caves, Huating Hailong Cave, Zhouqu Pingding Chaoyang Cave, Xiahe Baiya Cave, Xihe Dragon Coil Cave.

　　4. Introduction to the Southeast Gansu Tourism Area

　　This tourism area includes two regional units: Tianshui and Longnan.

　　1. Tianshui Tourism Area

　　Characterized by a combination of ancient cultural sites and natural scenery, it has a total of 31 scenic spots. Among the more famous ones are 10 sites: Tianshui Botanical Garden, Fuxi Temple, Nan’guo Temple, Li Guang’s Tomb, Qin’an Dadiwan, Wushan Water Curtain Cave, Qishan Fort, Qiuchi Mountain, Immortal Cliff, and Pure Land Temple Forest Park.

　　2. Longnan Tourism Area

　　The main tourist attractions include Xi Xia Song Cliff Inscription, Wanxiang Cave, Wen County Tianchi, Qiuchi Mountain Forest Park, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Qiuchi Kingdom Ruins, Baishuijiang Nature Reserve, and Hadapu Meeting Site, totaling 11 locations.