Buddhism Cultural Park — Ziyun Cave

Ziyun Cave in Guizhou is located one kilometre west of the county seat of Ziyun Miao and Buyi Autonomous County, Anshun City.

According to Anshun Prefecture Records: “Ziyun Cave lies two li northwest of the county town. Veils of mist and curling clouds hover here. A Buddhist temple was built in the cave, and prayers offered here were often answered.”

Winding stone steps lead uphill from the mountain foot straight to the cave entrance. The opening spans several zhang. On the rock face to the right are four Chinese characters Another Fairyland, handwritten by Zhang Yuanxun. On the left cliff is a five-character poem signed by Shi Tingdong together with an inscription recording the cave’s history, both carved in the 8th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1828 AD).

Above the cave entrance once stood a three-storey pavilion with black pillars, red walls, grey tiles, upturned eaves and latticed carved windows. The second hall housed a gilded Buddha statue over four metres tall. The third floor was the Jade Emperor Hall, with stone steles on the walls chronicling the magistrate’s political achievements.

The cave rises more than 50 metres high. Mineral water drips all year round into the pool on the ground floor, forming a pleasant rhythmic tinkling sound. The spring water is sweet and crisp, ideal for making tea with an exceptionally fresh aroma. Viewed from afar, the cave is sheltered by thick forests and green bamboo groves.

During a bandit uprising in 1950, the abbot of the cave temple was killed, and all monks left to resume secular life, leaving the place unattended. In the ten years of political turmoil, all trees were felled and the entire pavilion was demolished, leaving only stone walls and ancient stone carvings.

After the reform and opening-up, the state’s religious policies were implemented. In the 1990s, Chen Shunhua, an overseas Chinese from Taiwan, donated 105,000 yuan, while local people from all walks of life raised another 140,000 yuan, totalling 250,000 yuan. It took seven years to reconstruct Ziyun Cave. A new cave was renovated on the right side, with a pavilion built outside for tourists to rest and escape the heat.

Today, more than 360 stone steps, 2 to 3 metres wide, twist upward from the foot of the mountain to the cave mouth, with three stone rest stops along the way. The rebuilt complex has four storeys: the God of Wealth Hall on the first floor, the Guanyin Hall on the second, the Grand Buddha Hall on the third, and the Jade Emperor Hall on the fourth. Mineral drips have returned to their original state, and the cave now looks more magnificent than ever.

New trees have been planted on the hillside leading up to the cave. After more than ten years of careful cultivation, a thick wood has taken shape. The cool breeze inside fills visitors with joy and relaxation.

Ziyun Cave was officially approved as a Buddhist venue by county authorities in 2002. Buddhist rituals are held every month. Incense lingers all year round, and flocks of tourists come here on weekends and public holidays.

In 2014, the county Party committee and government launched a new development plan based on Ziyun Cave’s cultural resources, planning to invest 8 million yuan to build it into a Buddhism Cultural Park. With strong support from relevant departments, 18 mu of land was allocated free of charge for temple expansion. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 12, 2014. At present, the mountain gate and Mahavira Hall are under construction