Fengqiping Karst Caves

Fengqiping Township features typical karst landforms, covered with jagged rock formations on the surface and riddled with underground caves. Within its 10 square kilometers of land, nearly a hundred caves have been discovered, earning it the reputation of "Hometown of a Hundred Caves".

Lying at the junction of Qidong, Shaodong and Shaoyang counties, this area lives up to the saying: "Every mountain holds a cave, and every cave boasts unique wonders." The vast cluster of caves creates extraordinary natural scenery. Inside the caverns, stalactites, stone pillars, stalagmites and stone drapes abound in dazzling variety, shaped by corrosion into countless bizarre forms. Some resemble the pot-bellied Maitreya Buddha with an endearing innocent look; some look vividly like Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy; some take the shape of a roc spreading its wings, lifelike and vivid; others mimic dinosaurs greeting visitors with exquisite detail, all boasting outstanding ornamental value.

Among all the caves, the gorgeous Baolian Cave stands out as the most extraordinary. A rock formation hanging from the ceiling looks exactly like a giant lotus bud ready to bloom, giving the cave its name—Baolian Cave, or Precious Lotus Cave. This cave connects to nine neighboring caverns including Dragon Lady Cave, Lion Cave and Marriage Fate Cave. With excellent air circulation, it serves as a fine natural air-raid shelter. In 1941, Japanese troops occupied Hongqiao. Over one thousand local villagers hid in this cave for half a month to escape the warfare.

In addition, fossils of ancient creatures dating back 400 million years have been unearthed in Fengqiping. Imprints of ancient fish and shellfish can be seen on numerous rock faces, making the township a natural geological park.

At present, the local government is carrying out scientific planning and actively attracting investment to develop the "Exploring the Wonders of a Hundred Caves" scenic area. It aims to let the little-known Fengqiping reveal its magnificent cave landscapes to the whole world at an early date.