Zhenzhen Cave

　　　　The cave features scenes such as a ray of sky, the Stone Vase, the Snail Cave, and the Stone Chessboard. The famous Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake once gave a fitting description of the Three Caves of Jinhua: “Zhenzhen Cave is marvelous for its sliver of daylight; Binghu Cave is unique for its myriad pearl-like curtains; while Shuanglong Cave is extraordinary with its two entrances, hanging curtains in the middle, and wonders both above and below water, combining the mysterious and the serene!” Walking south along the Rocky Bay, passing the former site of Junshan Dong’ao Mountain Villa, one can find Zhenren Cave in the rocky cliffs at the southern foot of the mountain. It is three to four zhang wide and relatively shallow. Historical records state that during the Song Dynasty, an immortal named Yan lived here. Inside the cave, there are running script inscriptions such as “Cave of Yan the Immortal.” Slightly north of the front of Yan the Immortal Cave, on a flat piece of land, there is a huge rock resembling a seal, cylindrical in shape, about two people tall, not connected to the mountain base except for a tiny seam. This cave consists of a main chamber and two small side caves. The left branch cave has a small entrance but a large belly, shaped like an overturned vase, hence it is called the “Stone Vase”; the right branch cave also has a large belly and small entrance, but with a long tail, resembling a snail, hence it is named the “Snail Cave.” Inside the main cave, there are the “Stone Chessboard” and the “Heavenly Pool,” believed to be the spots where immortals once played chess and used water. There is a rare large stone beam on the cave ceiling, extending several zhang in length, covered with countless uniquely shaped stalactites crisscrossing and hanging sideways, presenting an extremely magnificent view. Zhenzhen Cave is a dry cave, suitable for habitation, and legend has it that many came here to “cultivate immortality” or “live in seclusion.” The cave also contains sights such as a ray of sky and the Stone Vase.