Water Curtain Cave in Wuyi Mountain

　　Water Curtain Cave in Wuyi Mountain is one of the famous Seventy-two Caves of Wuyi Mountain. It is located to the north of Zhangtang Stream. At the entrance to the scenic area, there is a small waterfall cascading down from the top of Xiabin Rock, known as the Little Water Curtain Cave. By climbing up the steps, you will reach the main Water Curtain Cave. The cave is sheltered by overhanging cliffs, with its mouth deeply nestled within the recessed rock face. The cave opening is wide and tilted open, while the cave ceiling offers cool shade from the sun. Two streams of water cascade down from the overhanging cliff face more than a hundred meters above, resembling two dragons spouting streams of liquid or two sparkling bead curtains hanging from the sky to the earth—hence it is also called the Pearl Curtain Cave.

　　Water Curtain Cave is the largest cave in Wuyi Mountain, measuring over a hundred meters in both height and width. In front of the cave entrance, two clear springs flow year-round, cascading down from the cliff top more than a hundred meters high, like two suspended pearl curtains. Inside the cave, it is bright and spacious, able to accommodate hundreds of people. The rock walls are covered with numerous cliff inscriptions, among which the two characters “活源” (Living Spring) are the most famous. To the right of the stone steps outside the cave entrance is the emerald-green Bathing Dragon Pool.

　　The two characters “活源” on the rock wall were inscribed by Yu Hongliang, the deputy commander of the Zhejiang Xiangshan Garrison and a promoted general from Hunan during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is said that “Living Spring” is derived from a line in Zhu Xi’s poem “Reflections on Reading”: “Half an acre of square pond reflects the sky, / Where light and cloud shadows wander by; / Why so limpid and forever bright? / For fresh water comes from source in sight.” The ancient inscription of “Living Spring” here not only highlights the scenery of the Water Curtain Cave but also evokes thoughts of Zhu Xi’s scholarly spirit—striking just the right note. “Water Curtain in Sunny Snow, Pearl of Red Cliff” was inscribed by Ishikawa (whose life story is unknown). These two inscriptions combine motion and stillness, blending scene and emotion to vividly depict the landscape of the Water Curtain Cave.

　　At its widest, the waterfall curtain here spans about twelve feet. Major attractions nearby include Swallow Peak, the Stone for Rinsing and Pillow Flow, Danxia Peak, Flame Peak, Eagle Beak Rock, and Flowing Fragrance Stream. Among them, the Sky Cart Frame is a distinctive cultural feature in this scenic area. It is located on the half-cliff of Danxia Peak on the south bank of Zhangtang Stream, where several small wooden houses are built against the cliffs inside caves of varying heights and sizes. Some are tucked deep inside the caves, others partially exposed, arranged in a staggered fashion, enclosed by railings, and connected by hanging ladders—this is the Sky Cart Frame.

　　Water Curtain Cave is one kilometer north of Tianxin Rock. It is the largest rock cave in Wuyi Mountain and is known as the “finest under the mountain.” The rock walls are tens of zhang high and wide, protruding at the top and concave at the bottom, forming a natural cave. The cavern is bright and can hold a thousand people, with several tile-less temples scattered along the cliffs. At the top of the cave, there are two year-round streams of flowing water that, when stirred by the breeze, turn into beads of water, resembling two pearl curtains hanging from the cave ceiling, dropping into the Bathing Dragon Pool below.

　　The cave roof overhangs outward like an upturned eave, shading half the sky. In front of the cave entrance, two clear springs flow year-round, cascading down from the cliff top more than a hundred meters high. When the breeze blows, the water droplets sway and disperse, drifting with the wind like a heavenly maiden scattering blossoms or two suspended pearl curtains. As the verse goes, “A thousand-zhang Red Cliff brushes the rain in sunshine; / Ten thousand pearls hang as curtains in a painted scene.” Looking through the curtain, the tea gardens, bamboo groves, villages, and houses outside the cave appear misty, resembling a poetic landscape painting—offering a uniquely charming view.

　　Address: North of Zhangtang Stream, Water Curtain Cave Scenic Area, Wuyi Mountain National Tourism Resort, Wuyi City, Nanping, Fujian.

　　Type: Cave

　　Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

　　Phone: 0599-5131890

　　Official Website: http://www.whwy.org/

　　Opening Hours:

　　Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area Opening Hours: 8:00–18:00.

　　Ticket Information:

　　No separate ticket required. Included in the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area ticket (One-day pass: 140 RMB, Two-day pass: 150 RMB, Three-day pass: 160 RMB; Sightseeing bus, One-day pass: 70 RMB, Two-day pass: 85 RMB, Three-day pass: 95 RMB).