Crape Myrtle Cave (Ziwei Cave)
Situated in the northern suburbs of Chaohu, it is also called Twin Wells Cave, named after its two natural well-shaped exits of different sizes. The cave stretches 3,000 meters in total, with the main passage extending over 1,500 meters. A typical underground river cave with corridor-shaped tunnels, it earns fame for its grandeur, exotic rock formations, precipitous paths and serene depths, blending natural landscapes with cultural relics. It is reputed as "The Largest Cave North of the Yangtze River".
The cave encompasses ten grand grotto zones, 36 core scenic spots and 72 secondary views. Tourists first explore by foot before boarding boats to drift along the underground river. Adjacent to Ziwei Cave stands Wangqiao Cave, the only cliff grotto shrine in Anhui Province. All stone Buddha statues inside lack heads except one slightly larger figure whose head remains intact. The mystery of these "headless Buddhas" has never been solved.
Transportation: Ziwei Cave sits on Jinting Mountain, 4 kilometers from downtown Chaohu. Take Bus No.1 to its terminal stop, then walk roughly one kilometer uphill. A taxi ride costs around 5 RMB.
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