Longyou Grottoes: A Timeless Mystery, Free Entry for a Limited Time

Known as the "Ninth Wonder of the World" and a "Timeless Mystery," Longyou Grottoes is a unique site. Each cave covers an area of 1,000–3,000 square meters, so it is more accurate to call them stone chambers. What were these large underground caves used for? When were they excavated? Let's embark on a mysterious journey to Longyou Grottoes! Longyou Grottoes, also known as Xiaonanhai Stone Chambers, is located in a hilly area with mountains, water, and green vegetation. However, the ground you walk on is hollow. In June 1992, four villagers from Shiyanbei Village drained the "bottomless pool," revealing a group of ancient underground chambers. In 2013, Longyou Grottoes was listed as a national cultural heritage site. 🌈Highlights: ✅ The core protection area of Longyou Grottoes covers 0.38 square kilometers and contains 24 caves. For protection purposes, only five caves have been opened to the public. Cave 1 is the smallest, and Cave 2 is the largest. ✅ Each cave extends vertically downward from a rectangular entrance. All five caves have a sloping dome structure and are shaped like an inverted bucket. ✅ Each cave contains 3–4 large "fish tail" stone pillars, with cross-sections shaped like an iron. The walls, ceilings, and pillars are covered with chisel marks that seem to have been made for decoration. ✅ Cave 1 contains a precious mural with carvings of fish, horses, and birds. Experts call it the "Horse, Bird, and Fish Totem." ✅ The site is also home to Zhulin Temple, which was built in the Ming dynasty. The temple is surrounded by lush trees and has a tranquil environment. Many famous poems and essays have been written here. The site is not crowded and has a strong festive atmosphere, making it a great place for a family trip during the Lunar New Year! ⚛️Timeless Mysteries: 1️⃣ Fish Tail Pillars: Experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have calculated that the stone pillars in Longyou Grottoes can bear a load of over 3,000 tons. The fish tail pillars increase the compressive strength and load-bearing capacity of the stone pillars, allowing the grottoes to stand for thousands of years. 2️⃣ Chisel Marks: The chisel marks in the grottoes are consistent in shape, size, and texture. How did different people in different caves achieve such consistency? The chisel marks are smooth and rounded, but the remaining chisel holes in the rock are sharp and pointed. What tools were used to make them? 3️⃣ Cave 4: Cave 4 is 27 meters deep and covers an area of 1,020 square meters. How did ancient people light such a large project? 🎫 Tickets: Original price CNY 85, free entry from January 1 to March 31 🚗 Transportation: Take bus 1, 4, 7, 8, or 252 to Longyou County