Poyue Cave

　　Poyue Cave is one of the well-known scenic spots in Hunan, situated 2.5 kilometers north of Lengshuijiang City. It neighbors the Meijiang Scenic Area of Lianyuan to the east, the Dawushan National Forest Park of Xinhua to the west, the former residence of Zeng Guofan in Shuangfeng to the south, and the Antimony Culture Craft Park to the north. Poyue Cave is a world-class karst museum, filled with abundant lava formations, towering stone pillars, and a variety of stunning natural landscapes. It is also recognized as the place with the highest concentration of cave columns (helictites) in the world. The classic scene "Sun Wukong Thrice Defeats the White Bone Demon" from the 1980s classic Chinese TV series Journey to the West was filmed here.

　　Legend has it that Poyue Cave’s name originates from a romantic tale. Long ago, a fairy named Yuexiang rode the clouds to visit the cave, captivated by its wonders and reluctant to leave. She was spotted by a bat demon who transformed into a wealthy young man to flirt with her. Cornered and helpless, Yuexiang leapt into the turbulent Zishui River, transforming into a golden clam. She was then rescued by a young fisherman named Bo’er, who took her home and cared for her. To repay his kindness, Yuexiang married him. When news of their union spread, the jealous bat demon plotted to kidnap Yuexiang. After many hardships, Bo’er sought the help of the Cave Heaven General, who defeated the demon and rescued Yuexiang, allowing the couple to reunite. To commemorate them, locals named the cave “Poyue,” meaning “wave and moon.” The cave entrance curves like a crescent moon, and the pool inside reflects shimmering light and moon shadows—perfectly echoing its name.

　　Poyue Cave boasts remarkable dimensions and extraordinary karst formations: caves within caves, halls within halls, all naturally crafted with breathtaking scenery at every turn. Inside, clusters of stalactites, standing stalagmites, forests of stone pillars, and cascading curtains of stone draperies hang in various shapes and sizes, creating a dazzling, magnificent sight. The Poyue Cave scenic area is divided into five functional zones: the karst cave group viewing area, an artificial lake, Flower-Fruit Mountain, a leisure zone, and a children’s entertainment area. Since opening to the public in 1980, the site has achieved great success. Today, the area is easily accessible by car, just a six-minute drive from downtown. The cave group features Poyue Cave, known for its spectacular stalactites, Guanyin Cave for worship, and Changsha Cave for adventurous exploration. The children’s zone offers 27 amusement rides and an Olympic Garden with over ten fitness activities. Flower-Fruit Mountain currently includes a zoo, while the resort leisure area features the largest open-air barbecue site in central Hunan, along with the Poyue Hotel that combines tea house, dining, accommodation, and entertainment.

　　Poyue Cave consists of three levels, with over 1,800 meters of developed underground routes, including 27 large halls and 81 scenic spots, covering a total area of more than 40,000 square meters. The entire cave complex centers around the Labyrinth Hall, with the front section featuring grand and majestic chambers, and the rear section showcasing intricate, crystal-clear formations. Entering through the cave mouth, visitors are greeted by a continuous series of spectacular, delicate, marvelous, and fascinating sights strung together like pearls—an awe-inspiring experience that captivates and lingers in memory. Classic formations include Jade Pillar Holding Up the Sky, Milky Way Waterfall, Sea and Sky View, Cluster of Helictites, Thousand-Hill Fields, Heart-Cleansing Boulder, Flying Sword Cliff, Spring in a Dead Tree, and Monkey Sending Off Guests. Within the Poyue Cave system, fossils have been discovered, such as teeth of the Stegodon orientalis from the Middle Pleistocene epoch of the Quaternary period hundreds of thousands of years ago, buffalo skull fossils, and leaves of the hornbeam tree. The entire cave is like a massive underground museum, holding immeasurable scientific value for the study of ancient hydrology, geomorphology, soil, paleontology, and other geographical elements.