Most ‘Hidden’ Attraction Within Shanxi Province, Accommodating 3000 People, Comparable to Datong’s Hengshan Hanging Temple
As a province with abundant tourism resources, Shanxi naturally has many famous attractions. Pingyao Ancient City is undoubtedly one of the first to be visited by many tourists to Shanxi. However, coming to Pingyao Ancient City feels a bit monotonous. Today, let's introduce a hidden gem in Shanxi – Yulan Cave on Yunqiu Mountain.
I believe many of you are unfamiliar with Yunqiu Mountain, and it's definitely not as famous as Mount Wutai. Many people don't even know that such a place exists. In fact, Yunqiu Mountain is a 4A scenic area, boasting beautiful scenery, and it's not out of the question to compare it to 'Shangri-La'. Why? Yunqiu Mountain is renowned for its rugged peaks, clear springs, and ethereal cloud seas, earning it the title of 'First Scenic Spot of the Fen River'. And the most famous attraction is undoubtedly Yulan Cave.
Yulan Cave is located on a cliff face, resembling the suspended temple of Datong's Hengshan to some extent. It's situated above an ancient village, and you can enter through the 'One Line Sky' () to see a building standing on the cliff. As you venture deeper, you'll discover several Daoist temples. However, upon closer inspection, you'll find that it's not actually a cave. According to locals, Yulan Cave is not a cave but a cliff face. The shape of the cliff resembles a lotus flower, hence its name – Yulan Cave.
Furthermore, Yulan Cave is one of the origins of the Qitian Sect, the same sect featured in 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'. It's estimated that Yulan Cave can accommodate 3000 people, and combined with the natural barriers provided by the surrounding Daoist temples, it creates such a unique atmosphere. Yulan Cave also has two large halls – the Hall of the Ancestor and the Hall of the Three Pure Ones, alongside a tree that's said to produce both mulberry and elm trees, alternating with the changing seasons. This is truly a wonder of Yunqiu Mountain!
Such a special cliff face is rare in China, making the scenery of Yulan Cave well worth a visit. Have you discovered any other unique caves? Please share your recommendations in the comments below.
Before traveling, be sure to check Mafang.com (Horseback Beehive) first.
