Qinghuadong Cave in Xiangyun County, Dali

Chinese Name: 大理祥云县清华洞
English Name: Qinghuadong Cave in Xiangyun County, Dali

Location

Qinghuadong Cave (清华洞) is located about 3 kilometers south of Xiangyun County (祥云县) in Dali (大理), Yunnan Province. It is a karst limestone cave and is considered one of the most significant Neolithic human habitation sites in West Yunnan (滇西), with a history of over 5000 years. Known as the "First Cave of West Yunnan", it was designated as a key cultural heritage site by the Dali Prefecture (大理州) government in 1988.

The cave consists of two sections: the front cave and the back cave. The entrance of the front cave is over 80 meters wide and 30 meters high, while the back cave branches into two sections, with its depths remaining unmeasured. The cave is renowned for its stunning limestone formations, including stone flowers, stalactites, and stone columns. A distinctive feature of the front cave is an oval-shaped light hole called "Disc of Heaven" (碟大天), which is said to be related to the Journey to the West (西游记) legend of Sun Wukong (孙悟空).

Key Features

Cave Structure

• Front Cave: The front section is 30 meters deep, 30 meters wide, and 5 meters high. It has a large entrance and is filled with various natural rock formations. The cave's ceiling features an oval-shaped hole called "Disc of Heaven" (碟大天), which allows sunlight to penetrate, creating a mystical light effect.

• Back Cave: The back section of the cave extends in two directions, with depths that are yet to be fully explored. The walls of the cave are adorned with numerous smaller cavities and rock formations, adding to the area's mysterious atmosphere.

Rock Carvings

The entrance to the front cave is decorated with 24 pieces of rock inscriptions, which date from the Ming Dynasty (明朝) and include phrases like "Qinghuadong Tian" (清华洞天), "Sitting and Lying in the Clouds" (坐卧烟云), and "Another Heaven" (别有洞天). These inscriptions were created by scholars and officials who visited the cave over the centuries, including the famous traveler Xu Xiake (徐霞客), who visited the cave twice and documented his visits in his travel writings.

Historical Significance

Qinghuadong Cave is not only a natural wonder but also an important archaeological site. In 1961, archaeological excavations uncovered Neolithic relics, including stone tools such as trapezoidal axes, stone chisels, stone knives, and stone adzes. These artifacts provide valuable insights into the early human civilization of West Yunnan.

In 2010, further excavations confirmed that the site also contains Bronze Age (青铜时代) remnants, highlighting the cave’s continuous use by humans over thousands of years.

Local Legends

There is a local legend about the "Disc of Heaven" (碟大天) and the cave's origins. According to the story, Sun Wukong (孙悟空), a character from the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West (西游记), once entered the cave while pursuing the Carp Demon (鲤鱼精). The cave was pitch black, so Sun Wukong used his golden staff to strike the cave ceiling, creating a hole that allowed light to shine through. This is believed to be the origin of the "Disc of Heaven" light hole.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

• Open Year-Round: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Entrance Fee

• Free Admission: The cave is open to the public without any admission fee.

Recommended Duration

• 1-2 Hours: Most visitors spend about 1 to 2 hours exploring the cave and its surroundings.

How to Get There

From Xiangyun County

• By Car: The cave is located approximately 3 kilometers south of Xiangyun County (祥云县) center. It is easily accessible via Qinghong Road (清红路) and is well-served by local roads.

• By Public Transport: The cave is accessible by local minibus from the county center, and taxis are available for a direct ride.

Additional Information

• Famous Visitors: Xu Xiake (徐霞客), the great Ming Dynasty traveler, visited the cave twice and recorded his observations in his "Travel Diaries" (徐霞客游记). Over the years, officials and poets like Li Yuanyang (李元阳) and Guo Songnian (郭松年) also visited and left their marks in the form of inscriptions.

• Legend of the "Disc of Heaven": The hole in the cave’s ceiling, known as "Disc of Heaven" (碟大天), is central to a local legend involving Sun Wukong (孙悟空) from Journey to the West (西游记).