Cave Resources in Yu County

Yu County is rich in karst caves. The most notable ones are Wanhua Cave, Yuhua Cave and Rulai Cave. All three are limestone karst caves densely covered with stalactites. The landscapes inside each cave are unique and unseen above ground. The scenery on the cave floors is particularly stunning, just like magnificent artistic palaces. Over millions of years, stalactites have been shaped by natural craftsmanship, possessing primitive natural beauty that can never be replicated by human art. While the three caves share common features, each boasts its own distinctive charm, forming magnificent scenic wonders created by nature. As the Song Dynasty poet Ke Junzhai wrote: The fairyland and mortal world stand but a foot apart; A separate universe lies hidden in this small pot. I seem to dream I’m walking toward Penglai Isle; Truly I have wandered into Wuling Village’s spot.

Wanhua Cave is a rare large limestone karst cave in North China. It is located on the southern foot of White Horse Mountain in southern Shangshe Town, 35 kilometres from the county seat. The one-hour drive follows the Yu-Wu Highway heading north.

Surrounded by rolling mountains and thick shrubs, the cave enjoys a serene natural setting. A natural stone figure stands in front of the cave, standing guard day and night. The cave opening faces southwest. On the right wall of the entrance are seal characters “Wanhua Cave”, inscribed by Wang Yuchang, the county magistrate of Yu County during the Republic of China era. The entrance is only 0.9 metres high and 0.8 metres wide, so visitors must squeeze sideways to get inside. The cave gradually widens, with numerous branching passages and an uneven floor. It is divided into three sub-caves and five halls: East Cave, Partition Cave, Frog-Croaking Cave; Front Hall, Middle Hall, Rear Hall, Partition Hall and Frog-Croaking Hall. Geologically, the cave consists of Cambrian limestone from the Paleozoic Era.

As you walk forward, you will see stalactites formed over tens of thousands of years in countless vivid shapes. Some cling to the cave walls, some hang upside down from the ceiling, and others rise from the ground. Visitors may name them freely with imagination: Waterfalls, Lotus Blossoms, Roaring Lion, Golden Rooster Standing on One Leg, Hanging Monkey, Fairy Descending to Earth, Flying Horse Stepping on a Swallow and more.

The most breathtaking scenery lies on the cave floor. The deeper you venture, the harder the path becomes, yet the views grow more extraordinary. Dense stone shoots and exotic rocks compete in beauty. Crystal stone pillars and bead-like curtains stretch as far as the eye can see, and echoes linger long in the air. In Partition Cave, a stretch of stalactites dozens of metres long cascades down like a huge waterfall, connecting to the ground and forming a natural stone barrier. The magnificent natural masterpiece fills visitors with joy.

The cave is well ventilated with moist fresh air, making breathing pleasant. Bats are the most common inhabitants. Every winter, they hang playfully from stalactites and hibernate, adding great vitality to the cave. At present, Wanhua Cave remains undeveloped for tourism.

Yuhua Cave sits on the west side of Tianqiao Mountain in northeastern Xianren Township, more than 40 kilometres away from the county seat.

The entrance is extremely low and narrow: less than one metre high but five metres long. Visitors have to crawl forward to enter, and then the cave suddenly opens up into a spacious cavern. Compared with Wanhua Cave, Yuhua Cave is taller, more beautiful and more precipitous. The highest point of Wanhua Cave is about 9.7 metres, while Yuhua Cave reaches 14 metres. In momentum, scale and formation, its stalactite landscapes surpass those of Wanhua Cave. The most fantastic attractions are the Heavenly Palace and the Netherworld on the cave floor.

One hundred and twenty metres from the entrance, turning right around a cluster of stone pillars leads you to the Heavenly Palace; climbing straight down to the left brings you to the Netherworld.

The Heavenly Palace is a magical realm. Milky white stalactites are pure and flawless. Clusters of glowing “torches” hang from the ceiling just like celestial lanterns. Rows of stalactites on both sides form images of immortals, heavenly generals, fair maidens and divine boys, all stately and radiant as if welcoming guests from afar. Stepping into the Jade Emperor Hall feels like entering a fairyland, refreshing your mind and lifting your spirits. If a Hall of Mental Cultivation were built here, the one in the Forbidden City would pale in comparison.

The Netherworld presents a completely different scene. Stalactites around the entrance are smooth as flowing water. Looking down along the cave edge, the cavern stretches into pitch-black unfathomable darkness. A stone thrown down will produce no echo for a long time, sending a chill down one’s spine. The vertical depth of this section is roughly 16 metres. Stalactites take grotesque shapes of ghosts and demons, creating a gloomy and terrifying atmosphere.

With a total length of 172 metres, Yuhua Cave is slightly smaller than Wanhua Cave but highly distinctive. It is a fascinating grotto awaiting urgent tourism development.

Rulai Cave is located on the southwest side of the summit of Rulai Mountain in northeastern Beixiazhuang Township, 20 kilometres from the county seat. It is an extremely rare natural cavern in North China. A few metres below the cave entrance hang three stalactites with dripping water droplets. Turning north from here, the passage stretches endlessly into the mountain.

This cave is the birthplace of the well-known folk legend Wang En and Shi Yi Rescue the Princess. The story was adapted for stage performances as early as the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. The Hong Kong film Embroidered Shoes Falling from Clouds was also based on this tale.