Longyou Grottoes in Quzhou, Zhejiang

Longyou Grottoes (龙游石窟), located in Longyou County (龙游县), Quzhou (衢州市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), are a series of ancient underground cave complexes that have been shrouded in mystery since their discovery. These spectacular stone carvings, located at the foot of Phoenix Mountain (凤凰山) near the Qujiang River (衢江), represent a remarkable feat of ancient engineering. Known for their fascinating design and intricate craftsmanship, the Longyou Grottoes are considered one of China’s most important historical and cultural treasures.

Discovery and Historical Significance

The Longyou Grottoes were first discovered in June 1992 (1992年6月) by four villagers from Shiyanbei Village (石岩背村) who, while draining a local bottomless pond, uncovered a series of underground chambers. The caves are located in the Jinqi Basin (金衢盆地) at the junction of the Zhejiang Western Fold Belt (浙西台褶带) and the Zhejiang Eastern Huaxia Fold Belt (浙东华夏褶皱带), an area historically prone to geological subsidence.

The region is famous for its Qujiang Red Sandstone (衢江红砂岩) and Quaternary Red Clay (第四纪红土层), making it a significant site in terms of both geological and cultural value. This region, influenced by the subtropical monsoon climate (亚热带季风气候), experiences distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, and significant sunlight throughout the year, ideal for the preservation of these structures.

Geological and Environmental Features

Location

The Longyou Grottoes are located at the foot of Phoenix Mountain (凤凰山) in Longyou County (龙游县), approximately 3 kilometers north of the Qujiang River (衢江) in Quzhou (衢州市), Zhejiang Province. The grottoes lie within the Jinqi Basin (金衢盆地), which is known for its sedimentary deposits, including Qujiang Red Sandstone (衢江红砂岩) and Quaternary Red Clay (第四纪红土层), both of which contributed to the creation of these remarkable subterranean structures.

Climate

The area enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate (亚热带季风气候), with distinct seasons:

• Annual Average Temperature: Between 15°C and 18°C (15°C—18°C).

• Average Annual Rainfall: Between 980 mm and 2000 mm (980—2000毫米), ensuring lush vegetation and a favorable environment for the caves’ preservation.

• Sunlight: The region enjoys over 1710-2100 hours of sunlight annually (年平均日照时数1710—2100小时).

Geological Composition

The caves were carved into the Qujiang Red Sandstone (衢江红砂岩), a soft yet durable material that facilitated the creation of expansive underground chambers. The surrounding area has experienced geological shifts, with sedimentary deposits from the Tertiary (第三纪) and Quaternary periods, making this basin a significant geological site in southern China.

Architectural Features of the Grottoes

The Longyou Grottoes are composed of 24 known caves (24个洞窟), each varying in size and design. The caves are strategically located and intricately designed, with features that highlight advanced ancient engineering skills. Some caves measure up to 3,000 square meters (3000平方米), while the entrance to each cave is typically between 20-40 square meters (20—40平方米).

Cave Design

Each cave has a rectangular entrance (矩形洞口), and the interior extends vertically downward, revealing the impressive construction and use of massive stone columns. These stone pillars, often in the shape of “fish-tail” columns (鱼尾形), are used to support the dome-shaped ceilings, which are designed with a “reversed funnel” structure (倒斗型). These features demonstrate the advanced engineering geology and rock mechanics used by the ancient builders.

Cave No. 1 to No. 5: The Main Caves

Cave No. 1 (一号迷窟) is the smallest of the open caves, with an area of about 300 square meters (300平方米). It is unique because it contains the only known carving (马鸟鱼图腾) of horse, bird, and fish—representing totems from the land, sky, and water. This makes it one of the most valuable caves in terms of historical significance.

Cave No. 2 (二号迷窟), measuring approximately 900 square meters (900平方米), contains four fish-tail shaped columns (鱼尾形柱), some of which point in different directions. The cave features a few irregular chisel marks (凿痕) that may represent ancient Chinese ideograms.

Cave No. 3 (三号迷窟), much larger than Cave No. 2, covers 1,200 square meters (1200平方米) and is characterized by its 45-degree sloping ceiling (45度斜面). This cave also includes a spiral knife mark (螺旋状刀痕) on the corners, possibly created by a large mechanical tool.

Cave No. 4 (四号迷窟) is the largest cave in the complex, spanning 2,000 square meters (2000平方米). It has three supporting columns (擎柱) arranged in a triangular formation and features a large rectangular water pool (矩形方池) at its base. The stone stairs leading into the cave create a dramatic entrance.

Cave No. 5 (五号迷窟), measuring about 700 square meters (700平方米), contains intricate carvings (岩画) on the stone columns and walls, depicting dragon totems (龙图腾) and images related to Taoist culture (道家文化), such as the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea (八仙过海图).

Cultural and Artistic Significance

The Longyou Grottoes (龙游石窟) are an extraordinary example of ancient Chinese architecture and engineering. Their unique design and the massive scope of the project suggest the use of advanced techniques (工程技术) such as geological measurements, force mechanics, and stone carving. The carvings within the caves not only showcase the technological skills of the ancient builders but also offer insight into the cultural (文化) and religious beliefs (宗教信仰) of the time.

Murals and Sculptures

The mural of the horse, bird, and fish (马鸟鱼图腾) found in Cave No. 1 is a key cultural artifact that signifies the role of animals in ancient totemic belief systems. The murals in Cave No. 5 offer insight into Taoist iconography (道家文化), including the Eight Immortals (八仙) and dragon motifs (龙图腾), reflecting the spiritual and artistic values of the era.

Protection and Preservation Efforts

Since their discovery, the Longyou Grottoes have undergone significant conservation (保护) efforts to ensure their protection from deterioration and human impact. These efforts have included the creation of a transparent pedestrian pathway (透明通道) to limit direct interaction with the fragile surfaces of the caves, as well as the use of steel reinforcement structures (钢结构加固) to prevent structural damage.

Preservation Techniques

• Steel Reinforcement: The installation of steel support (钢结构支撑) for the stone pillars (岩柱) helps to reduce pressure and prevent further deformation.

• Chemical Preservation: Specialized chemical treatments (化学加固) have been applied to reinforce the stone surfaces and prevent weathering.

• Environmental Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the temperature, humidity, and movement of the caves is conducted to understand and mitigate any potential damage.

Cultural Events and Festivals

The Longyou Grottoes International Music Festival (龙游石窟国际音乐盛典) is a major annual event that blends music with the historical and natural beauty of the site. In 2020, world-class musicians performed at the grottoes, offering a unique experience that merges cultural heritage with modern artistry.

In 2024, the grottoes will feature a “wine culture” theme event (酒文化), reflecting the integration of traditional local cultures with the broader tourism experience.

Visitor Information

Ticket Prices

• Adults: 65 RMB (成人65元)

• Children under 1.2 meters: Free (1.2米以下儿童免票)

• Children between 1.2-1.5 meters, students, and seniors over 70 years: 35 RMB (1.2-1.5米儿童、学生、70周岁以上老人凭证35元)

Opening Hours

• Grottoes: Open year-round, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (8:00-16:30).

Getting There

• From Shanghai (上海): Take the Huhang Expressway (沪杭高速) to Xiaoshan (萧山), then transfer to Hangjinqu Expressway (杭金衢高速) and exit at Longyou. Travel time: 4 hours (4个多小时).

• From Hangzhou (杭州): Take the Hangjinqu Expressway (杭金衢高速) to Longyou. Travel time: 2 hours (2个多小时).

• Public Transport: Take Bus Line 1 (1路) from Longyou Bus Station (龙游公交总站) to the grottoes. Travel time: 20 minutes (车程约20分钟).

Recommended Tour Packages

• 2 Days Hangzhou Silk Culture Tour
• Hangzhou West Lake Night Cruise Tour
• 1 Day Hangzhou Tour to Xixi National Wetland Park, West Lake Cruise and Dragon Well Tea Plantation
• 2 Days Hangzhou City Highlights Tour
• Hangzhou Grand Canal and Qiantang River Night Cruise Tour
• 5 Days Hangzhou and Huangshan Tour by Speed Train
• 1 Day Hangzhou City Group Tour from Shanghai

Main Attractions in Zhejiang province

• Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds
• Jingci Temple
• Baochu Pagoda
• Leifeng Pagoda
• Fenghuang Mosque
• Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor
• Zhuge Village
• Hengdian World Studios
• Yunhe Rice Terrace
• Xitang Water Town

Edited by  Lynette Fu/付云锐