Taiji Cave
| Taiji Cave | |
|---|---|
| Thái cực động | |
 Exterior of the Taiji Cave | |
| Location | Guangde County,Xuancheng,Anhui |
| Coordinates | 30°55′50″N119°29′33″E/ 30.93056°N 119.49250°E |
| Length | 5.4 km (3.4 mi) |
Taiji Cave(simplified Chinese:Thái cực động;traditional Chinese:Thái cực động;pinyin:Tàijí Dòng;lit.'Cave of theSupreme Ultimate') is akarstcave located on Shilong Mountain (Thạch long sơn) inGuangde County,Xuancheng City,AnhuiProvince, People's Republic of China, where the provinces ofJiangsu,Zhejiangand Anhui meet.Ming dynastywriter and poetFeng Menglongdescribed the cave as one of the "Four Absolutes Under Heaven" ( thiên hạ tứ tuyệtTīanxià Sìjué).[1]It is also considered a primary "Place of Enlightenment" ( đạo giáo đạo tràngDàojiào Dàochǎng) byTaoists,similar to theBodhimandaofBuddhism.The 200-million-year-old cave is divided into dry and wet layers representing theyin and yangof Chinese philosophy.
In February 2004, theChinese State Councilincluded the cave on its fifth list of National Scenic Attractions. It is also a 4A rated National Tourism Area.
Overview[edit]
At 5.4 kilometres (3.4 mi) in length and covering a surface area of 140,000 m2(1,500,000 sq ft), Taiji Cave is the largest natural limestone cave inEast China.[2][3]The cave's first chamber extends to 1,600 m2(17,000 sq ft) and has a height of 5 to 10 metres (16 to 33 ft).[4]To date nineteen separate chambers have been opened to visitors. There are more than 160 features inside the cave, including the "Ten Large Landscapes" ( thập đại cảnh quanShí Dà Jǐngguān).
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"[edit]
These interior features of the cave are largely based on their resemblance to other objects.[4]Some are individual rock formations, whilst others are groups.
- Lord Laozi( thái thượng lão quânTàishàng Lǎojūn)
- Dripping Water Penetrates Stone ( tích thủy xuyên thạchDīshuĭ Chuānshí)
- Luxuriant Old Tree ( hòe ấm cổ thụHuáiyìn Gŭshù)
- Capsized Boat of theImmortals( tiên chu phúc quảiXiān Zhōu Fùguà)
- Twin Heavenly Towers ( song tháp lăng tiêuShuāng Tǎ Língxiāo)
- Golden Dragon Coiled around Jade Pillar ( kim long bàn trụJīnlóng Pán Zhù)
- Yellow Mountain of the Cave ( động trung hoàng sơnDòngzhōng Huángshān)
- Chamber of the Myriad Rock Formations ( vạn tượng lãm thắngWànxiàng Lǎn Shèng)
- Muralof theSupreme Ultimate( thái cực bích họaTàijí Bìhuà)
- Stalactiteof Heaven's Eye ( hồ thiên cực mụcHú Tiānjí Mù)
Local places of interest[edit]
Dotted around the cave there are many places of historic interest including the "Hidden Dragon Bridge" ( ngọa long kiềuWòlóng Qiáo) whereEmperor Guangwu(5 BCE–29 CE) took refuge during theHan dynasty,the military command platform ( tương quân đàiJiāngjūn Tái) of GeneralLu Meng(178–220 CE)[5]and the "Sabre Gorge Stone" (Kiếm hiệp thạch) ofSong dynastypatriotYue Fei(1103–1142 CE). Outside the cave lies the Inkstone Lake ( nghiên trì hồYànchí Hú), said to be the location where Song dynasty politician and writerFan Zhongyanwashed hisinkstone.[4]
References[edit]
- ^"Introduction to Taiji Cave Scenic Area ( thái cực động cảnh khu giới thiệu )"(in Chinese).RetrievedMarch 13,2011.
- ^"Taiji Cave".Anhui Tourism Administration.RetrievedMarch 10,2011.
- ^"Disfigurement and Damage at Anhui's Taiji Cave ( hoàn danh thắng thái cực động, thảm tao" hủy dung "Hòa" hạ độc ")"(in Chinese).Xinhua.April 16, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon April 20, 2008.RetrievedMarch 11,2011.
- ^abc"Taiji Cave Tourist Guide ( thái cực động lữ du chỉ nam )"(in Chinese).RetrievedMarch 13,2011.
- ^"Taiji Cave, Xuangcheng, Guangde County ( thái cực động ( tuyên thành quảng đức thái cực động )"(in Chinese).RetrievedMarch 13,2011.
