Luocongyan

　　    Luocongyan is located in the scattered karst residual hills at the forefront of the Lotus Mountain Range, about eight kilometers southeast of Baishaxu on the banks of the Yu River and 35 kilometers from the county seat, within the area of Sijian Village. In a plain spanning five to six square kilometers, nine stone hills rise abruptly from the ground. Among them, one stands 70 meters high, approximately 350 meters long, and 80 meters wide, facing south with a shape resembling an upturned boat. This rock hill is hailed as one of Taoism’s seventy-two blessed lands, known as the “Blessed Land in the South of Heaven,” and as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Guiping, the “Moon over Luocongyan.”

　　    Within Luocongyan lies an ancient human cave site. In 1980, archaeologists from the autonomous region and the county discovered a large number of artifacts in the cave, including sand-tempered pottery shards, polished shouldered stone axes, snail-laminated layers, animal bones, and wild boar teeth. These findings indicate that as early as six to seven thousand years ago during the Neolithic Age, ancient humans lived here for an extended period. In a small cave near Longyan, a distinct cultural layer remains preserved to this day. Archaeologists have collected stone tools, pottery fragments, and snail shells from the site, which are now housed in the county museum.

　　    Luocongyan became a scenic attraction during the Huangyou era of the Song Dynasty (1049–1054). At that time, Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao traveled from Luoyang to Gongzhou (now Pingnan County) to visit their father and, together with their teacher Zhou Dunyi, “toured the scenic spots of Xun Prefecture.” They once built a dwelling here to live, study, and teach. Later generations constructed the Temple of the Three Sages—Zhou, Cheng, and another—in memory of their former residence, although the temple no longer exists today. However, the stone foundation built from large limestone blocks can still be seen. In the tenth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1637), Xu Xiake made a special trip to visit and study Luocongyan, and documented it in his Travelogue of Guangxi.

　　    The mountain body of Luocongyan is riddled with caves, featuring interconnected passageways and oddly shaped stalactites scattered throughout. Notable caves include Fengyan (Wind Cave), Heiyan (Black Cave), Yueyan (Moon Cave), and Shuiyan (Water Cave).

　　    Fengyan

　　    Also known as Zhengyan (Main Cave). At the entrance of the cave, characters carved into the stone wall read “Blessed Land in the South of Heaven.” In Taoist tradition, there are “Thirty-Six Celestial Grotto-Heavens and Seventy-Two Blessed Lands” where immortals dwell, and Luocongyan is one of these seventy-two blessed lands. Upon entering the cave, a cool breeze greets visitors, hence the name “Wind Cave.” The cave hall is ten meters wide and forty meters deep, capable of accommodating two to three hundred people at rest. Originally, the cave housed a large Buddha statue and eighteen arhats, but these no longer exist. At the far end of the cave is a small round opening leading outside. Sunlight streams in from the outside, creating the illusion of a bright moon shining upon visitors—this is the origin of the “Moon over Luocongyan” scenic sight.

　　    Heiyan

　　    A right turn at the end of Fengyan leads to Heiyan. Visitors exploring Heiyan should prepare torches or flashlights for illumination. The cave passages twist and turn, undulating up and down, with countless stalactites lining both sides, forming peculiar and varied shapes—such as Immortal’s Bed, Longevity Buddha’s Chair, Monk Chanting Scriptures, Stone Lion, and Stone Tiger. At the end of the cave is a round chamber inhabited by numerous bats. When visitors enter, the startled bats flap their wings wildly, creating a sound reminiscent of rapids in a dangerous rapid—an extraordinary spectacle.

　　    Yueyan

　　    Also called Shuiyueyan (Water Moon Cave), it is located west of Fengyan. The cave resembles a lion’s open mouth, sloping downward from the outside in. Vines creep up the upper and side entrances of the cave, clinging to the cliffs. Below lies a pool of clear spring water with fish visible swimming. The cave is roughly the size of one acre, yet it is said that no strongman has ever been able to throw a rock from outside the entrance into the cave walls. The “Song of Immortal Music” is inscribed above the cave and can be viewed by looking up.