Taiji Cave


Taiji Cave is a karst cave located on Shilong Mountain in Guangde County, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, where the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui meet. Ming dynasty writer and poet Feng Menglong described the cave as one of the "Four Absolutes Under Heaven". It is also considered a primary "Place of Enlightenment" by Taoists, similar to the Bodhimanda of Buddhism. The 200-million-year-old cave is divided into dry and wet layers representing the yin and yang of Chinese philosophy.
In February 2004, the Chinese State Council included the cave on its fifth list of National Scenic Attractions. It is also a 4A rated National Tourism Area.

Overview

At in length and covering a surface area of, Taiji Cave is the largest natural limestone cave in East China. The cave's first chamber extends to and has a height of. To date nineteen separate chambers have been opened to visitors. There are more than 160 features inside the cave, including the "Ten Large Landscapes".
By boat it is possible to explore the water-filled level of the cave where there are many unusual rock formations.

The "Ten Large Landscapes"

These interior features of the cave are largely based on their resemblance to other objects. Some are individual rock formations, whilst others are groups.
Dotted around the cave there are many places of historic interest including the "Hidden Dragon Bridge" where Emperor Guangwu took refuge during the Han dynasty, the military command platform of General Lu Meng and the "Sabre Gorge Stone" of Song dynasty patriot Yue Fei. Outside the cave lies the Inkstone Lake, said to be the location where Song dynasty politician and writer Fan Zhongyan washed his inkstone.