Porcupine Cave

　　Porcupine Cave is located halfway up the mountain on Guanyin Rock at Yingpanpo in Tangshan Village, Subu Town, Qianxi County. Legend has it that in the early days, hunters came here to hunt, and a porcupine being chased by hunting dogs took refuge in this cave, hence the name Porcupine Cave.

　　The legendary Porcupine Cave is shrouded in mystery. In early March, we drove to Subu Town, Qianxi County. After more than two hours of traversing mountains and ridges, we arrived at the cave. Porcupine Cave lies at the base of steep cliffs, with grotesque rocks and jagged peaks flanking its entrance, and dense woods blocking out the sun. The cave mouth is small, but the interior is vast. At the entrance, an ancient military defense structure was discovered. The campsite could accommodate about 200 people. Passing through the campsite, you reach the colorful Nitrate Boiling Cave Hall, where piles of nitrate soil and old stoves used by nitrate boilers in the past can be seen everywhere.

　　From the Nitrate Boiling Cave Hall, there is a three-way fork. The local villager who guided us explained that going left leads to the Staircase Cave Hall, the Animal Tracks in the Underground River Cave Hall, and the Thorn Bamboo Forest Cave Hall; going straight ahead leads to the Jar Factory Cave Hall, the Monkey Dam Cave Hall, and the legendary Bronze Boat and Stone Tablet Cave Hall; going right leads to the most distinctive Stone Pillar Cave Hall.

　　This time, we only took the right path, admiring along the way the uniquely shaped karst formations, like breathtaking strokes of nature’s brush, and the reflections in the pools formed by underground rivers. The cave scenery is magnificent and colorful, with both mountain and water features. The halls are spacious, with stalactites on the ceiling jutting out in uneven heights, seemingly ready to fall yet holding firm, with drops of water like pearls falling one by one, while the cave walls are rugged. However, the cave is dark and eerie, and the magnesium sticks we used for lighting were too fragile, providing insufficient illumination. Despite the unfathomable depth of the cave and the interconnected passages that posed a risk of getting lost, we were thrilled by the naturally stunning beauty of the stalactites. We ventured deeper into the cave, moving forward while admiring and taking photos. About 200 meters in, we saw a stalactite tower lying to the right. Behind the tower lay a world of diverse and peculiar landscapes, deep and mysterious. Another 500 meters further, countless uniquely shaped stone pillars and serene stalactites stood in profusion, marvelously crafted and dazzlingly colorful. The cave maintains a warm temperature in winter and coolness in summer, with emerald water reflections, an azure dragon appearing to spit out jade-like hues, and rugged stalactites, all combining to create a spectacular and majestic wonder.

　　Currently, Subu Town has placed the cave under protection and is planning for its future tourism development.