Shanglongyan

　　  Shanglongyan, originally known as Shanglongyan Mountain, is located by Shangyan Village in Shanbei Township, about 40 kilometers north of the city. The mountain features a unique structure with stone on the upper part and soil at the lower, forming an exquisitely delicate landscape. There is a cave halfway up the mountain, and Shanglong Temple was built against the cave, accessible via stone steps. The 1934 edition of the “Guixian County Annals” recorded: “The cave entrance is spacious, with many peculiar rocks inside, forming a naturally stunning karst landscape. Inside, there is a Buddhist shrine, with a ceiling smooth and reflective like a canopy, comparable in beauty to the renowned Nanshan scenery.” The cave was first opened during the early Qing Dynasty by Wei Jinning. It stretches for about a li (approximately half a kilometer) and is divided into the front cave, middle cave, and rear cave. The front cave is spacious and can accommodate hundreds of people. Inside, there are scenic spots such as the Lotus Throne of Guanyin from the South Sea, celestial Buddhas from the Western Paradise, the Pillar Supporting Heaven, the Heavenly Immortal Palace, the Fairy Well (Pingshui Cave), the Eighteen Arhats, and the Ancestral Altar. The middle cave is long and narrow, featuring a Sky-Connecting Cave that rises over a hundred zhang (about 300 meters) high. At the top is a round opening that lets in light, known as the “Heavenly Gate.” From this opening hangs a cluster of tree root tendrils, several zhang long, resembling a human’s beard or hair — an extraordinary sight locals call the “Dragon’s Beard.” To the left of the middle cave passage lies the “Fairy Stage,” formed naturally from stone drapery. Through the curtains and veils, one can see two stone mushrooms in the center of the stage, resembling fairies standing gracefully and dancing lightly — vivid and lifelike. The middle cave also features the “Milky Way Waterfall,” which looks like a pool of spring water cascading from the sky, flowing mightily across great distances. This is a natural wonder created by stalactites. The rear cave houses numerous cave chambers, each with its own distinctive features. Shanglongyan is another famous mountain and cave wonder in Guigang. During the War of Resistance against Japan, the renowned Chinese patriotic general Cai Tingkai once led troops to be stationed here. Today, local residents have carried out some renovations, and the front cave is now open for visitors.