Luonan Baiyusi · Luohan Cave

　　Luohan Cave is situated on the cliff of the northern bank of the Luo River in Baiyusi, approximately 20 kilometers east of Luonan County, and was first constructed during the Western Han Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, the original painted clay Arhat statues were changed to iron ones. According to the *Luonan County Annals*, Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Liu Xiu, sought refuge here while fleeing from Wang Mang’s pursuing troops in his effort to restore the Han Dynasty. After escaping danger, he ascended the throne and established his capital in Luoyang. In 25 AD, he returned to Luohan Cave and inscribed an ancient poem on the stone wall of the “Three Teachings Hall”: “This ancient cave has stood for millennia, where the sound of flowing water is often heard. It penetrates the summit of the Qinling Mountains above and stretches down to the city of Luoyang below.” Since then, the cave has enjoyed flourishing incense offerings and widespread fame. During temple fairs, it attracts throngs of worshippers and visitors.

　　Legend has it that in ancient times, a woodcutter was chopping firewood under the cliff when he heard rustling overhead. Looking up, he saw a white snake slithering halfway up the cliff. The woodcutter stopped chopping and watched closely, when suddenly a flash of silver light appeared and the snake vanished. Feeling puzzled, he climbed up the cliff using vines and discovered a small cave filled with swirling clouds, a faint purple haze, and the sounds of celestial music... The woodcutter was astonished and told his neighbors. People said it must be a fairy descending to earth, so they erected a statue of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy) inside the cave for worship. During the Tang Dynasty, there were often eighteen beggars who wandered from village to village begging during the day and slept in the cave at night. They frequently quarreled over food and clothing, displaying ever-changing moods of joy, anger, sorrow, and delight. One winter day, they cut some tree branches and leaves from the mountain and started a fire in the cave to keep warm. Suddenly, incense-like smoke rose and soared straight to the “Heavenly Palace.” The Jade Emperor, upon smelling the fragrance, was very pleased. Looking out from the Southern Heavenly Gate, he saw that it was the beggars making a fire. He then ordered the Earth God to confer upon them the status of the Eighteen Arhats. Later, people created painted clay statues of eighteen uniquely shaped Arhats and arranged them on both sides of the statue of Guanyin. Thus, the cave became known as Luohan Cave, while the statue of Guanyin faded into relative obscurity.

　　In 2000, the township Party committee established the Luohan Cave Management Committee, with the Political Consultative Conference group responsible for planning and developing tourism resources. After development, the Luohan Cave scenic area features ancient caves scattered around, temples suspended in mid-air, various Buddha statues, and pavilions and towers spread throughout. Over 20 ancient caves and grottoes, along with more than 80 statues, are distributed in a terraced formation along a 300-meter-long hanging cultural corridor. There are more than 20 attractions, including Dragon Pool, Tongyou Gate, Hundred Longevity Platform, Water-Viewing Pavilion, Niangniang Cave, Three Teachings Hall, Luohan Cave, and Immortals’ Gathering Pavilion. The inner cave, about 200 meters deep, is环形ly arranged and cleverly connected, with stalactites forming natural wonders such as stone dragons, stone phoenixes, stone humans, and stone lotuses.

　　Luohan Cave boasts a beautiful environment, with numerous caves and grottoes scattered like stars, statues and Buddha shrines in diverse forms, and an ancient mountain gate adorned with dragon and phoenix motifs. The caves vary in depth, connect with one another in a winding layout, and feature uniquely shaped stalactites and rocks. Newly built white jade railings resemble a white dragon leaping out of the water and soaring above the mountainside. The entire landscape combines antiquity, wonder, danger, and serenity. From a distance, the mountains are lush and the waters clear; up close, the caves are mysterious and the statues fascinating. Every year in the latter half of January, Luohan Cave hosts a large-scale temple fair, attracting a continuous stream of visitors and worshippers. Known as the “Little Longmen of Luoyang,” it is an excellent destination for sightseeing.

　　Scenic Area Address: On the cliff of the northern bank of the Luo River in Baiyusi, about 20 kilometers east of Luonan County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province

　　Transportation: Take a bus from within Luonan County headed to Baiyusi Town to reach the site.