Zhashui Wind Cave Scenic Area

　　The Wind Cave is a magical and long-renowned karst cave. As early as the Tang Dynasty, the "Ma Zhi" recorded: “In the rocky layers of Nangu Valley and Shiweng, there is a hollow space between solid rock, allowing people to enter and exit. A breeze from beneath stirs the soles of your feet, echoing to the heavens. Above it lies Guanyin Rock. Since ancient times, many visitors have come to this scenic wonder.” The county annals state: “In the seventh year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty, local gentry Chen Fengzhang built walls and battlements at the cave entrance, creating a refuge for residents during times of chaos. The cave could shelter tens of thousands of people, and its water supply could quench the thirst of just as many without running dry. Inside, there are First and Second Heavenly Gates, Yellow and Black Dragon Pools, Lotus Pond, Hundred-Acre Fields, and other scenic spots. Other formations are delicate and bizarre, too numerous to take in all at once. At the cave entrance lies a stone slab inscribed with the resting place of two Taoist priests, Chen and Yang, during the Ming Dynasty. About a li inside the cave is where they attained nirvana—their remains and iron staff still remain to this day. The area is enclosed with bricks and stones, and visitors worship there. In addition, there are three other caves connected by crevices, which residents have repeatedly repaired. After the Jiaqing era, those fleeing bandits from near and far sought refuge here.”

　　The Wind Cave is currently the largest discovered karst cave. According to old county records: “This cave extends about thirty li, taking more than a day to traverse, often posing the danger of getting lost.” According to geological surveys, the part of the cave safe for human access stretches about 4 kilometers from the entrance. There are dozens of large halls inside that can accommodate over a thousand people. The deeper you go, the denser and more perfect the formations become, but the number of forks in the paths also increases. Some sections feature caves within caves, with numerous branches, while others are too dangerous for people to approach.

　　Due to the complex structure of the Wind Cave, it has not yet been developed or renovated. Entering before development to witness the eerie, perilous wonders crafted by nature would be a rare opportunity. The thrill of exploration will leave an indelible impression. However, you should prepare both mentally and physically: be brave yet cautious; bring a flashlight, candles, or torches; pack lightly; wear shoes with rugged soles; and travel in groups of three to five, preferably with a rope. The complexity of the Wind Cave refers not only to its karst formations but mainly to the maze-like paths inside. Many routes resemble a spider web—seemingly leading everywhere, but not all paths necessarily lead to where you intend. Depending on the route chosen by visitors, it’s difficult to say which formations lie to the left or right.

　　Based on the preliminary planned route, the main sequence of sights after entering the cave is roughly as follows: upon entering, pass through the “Little Tiger’s Mouth,” proceed 200 meters parallel to reach the “Wind-Passing Tower,” then descend to the right to arrive at the “Dripping Rock,” continue to the “King of Hell’s Ridge,” move downward to the “Azure Dragon Pool,” ascend to the “Little Sunny Slope” and “Big Sunny Slope,” turn right to the “Eight-Acre Field,” go left and upward via the “First Heavenly Gate” to reach the “Lotus Pond,” move rightward to the “Chen and Yang Nirvana Site,” then proceed into the “Labyrinth,” turn right to reach the “Bat Hall,” turn left and ascend past the “Waist Cave” to exit through the “Heavenly Cave,” and finally climb to the peak of Mount Putuo, which connects to the blue sky outside the cave. This main tour route is 4 kilometers long. At a leisurely sightseeing pace, it takes approximately 8 hours to complete. Once the path is renovated, even a slower pace is expected to take around 4 hours.

　　Scenic Area Address: Shiweng Village, Shiweng Town, Zhashui County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province

　　Transportation by Bus: Take a bus from Xi’an (train station) or Shangluo (bus station) heading to Zhashui to reach the scenic area.

　　Self-Driving Route: Head south from Yanxiang Road or Sanzhao Road, take the Xizhashui Expressway at the Sanzhao Qujiang entrance (south third ring road), heading toward Ankang. Arrive at the Zhashui toll gate in about 50 minutes, then drive about 10 kilometers south to reach the scenic area.

　　Zhashui Wind Cave Scenic Area