Yanzi Cave in Shennongjia

　　  About 1,000 meters northeast of Yanzi Pass, on the mountainside, there is a famous Yanzi Cave. It is just a 50-meter uphill walk from the road to reach the cave entrance. The cave is 14 meters high and 16 meters wide, with the main passage extending approximately 3,700 meters. It is home to a large population of short-beaked swiftlets. These birds, about 12 centimeters long, fly in and out in great numbers without ever colliding. They live in Shennongjia all year round, as the area’s favorable natural environment has caused them to lose their usual migratory behavior. The cave remains warm in winter and cool in summer, with flowing streams inside. Its walls are remarkably smooth, and dry stone surfaces are adorned with bird nests. From the stone staircase bridge pavilion on the northwest side of Yanzi Pass, you can look back at the cave entrance and see flocks of birds soaring. If you visit during sunrise, you can watch the swiftlets flying against the sunlight, gliding up and down in a spectacular display.

　　   Shennongjia, Hubei