Immortal Cave Forest Park Scenic Area

Immortal Cave Forest Park is 1.5 kilometres away from downtown Panshi City. Centred on Immortal Cave Mountain and the flat land to its east, the scenic zone stretches 1,186 metres from east to west and 1,068 metres from north to south, covering a total area of 85.76 hectares.

Immortal Cave Mountain stands 485 metres above sea level. On its eastern slope lies a natural ancient cave known as Immortal Cave, which has never been fully explored to its innermost end. On November 11, 1882 (the 1st day of the tenth lunar month in the 8th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty), a Fox Immortal Hall and a King of Medicine Temple were built at the cave entrance. On the flat ground east of the mountain, Xianfeng Taoist Temple was constructed under the Longmen Sect of Quanzhen Taoism. The temple complex consists of a front hall and a rear hall. The front hall enshrines Lord Guan, while the rear hall houses Goddess deities. There are three side chambers serving as living quarters for the abbot and Taoist priests. Every year on the 18th day of the fourth lunar month during the temple fair, an endless stream of worshippers comes here to burn incense and pray.

In 1937, Panshi Local Chronicle recorded "Immortals Dwelling in the Cave", one of the Eight Historic Sights of Old Panshi, referring to this very Immortal Cave. The park boasts abundant underground water resources. The densely wooded mountain provides habitats for more than 15 species of birds and over 20 other wild animals, together with more than 50 varieties of forest plants. The forest coverage rate exceeds 80 percent.

During the Great Cultural Revolution, Xianfeng Taoist Temple was demolished in the campaign of "Destroying the Four Olds", and the cave entrance was sealed off. After years of closing hillsides to facilitate afforestation, the valleys are covered with rolling pine waves, thick woods, lawns and jagged rock outcrops, presenting magnificent scenery. Every year on the Double Ninth Festival, local residents gather here to climb mountains and enjoy the autumn view.

In June 2002, in accordance with the overall urban planning for a medium-sized city, the CPC Panshi Municipal Committee and Panshi Municipal People's Government decided to develop Immortal Cave Park. They commissioned Jilin Provincial Institute of Forestry Survey and Design to formulate the master plan. The park is divided into four scenic zones with 31 tourist attractions.