“Dry death at the door is better than disturbing the Yellow Dragon Spring.” So goes an old saying. Legend has it that long ago during the Qing Dynasty a terrible drought struck. Local people asked the respected Master He to pray for rain in the Yellow Dragon Cave. Master He and his disciples entered the cave. But they never came out. People believed the cave was mysterious and dangerous. For a long time nobody dared to explore the Yellow Dragon Cave.
But let’s step forward to 1983. Times had changed and old superstitions were fading. Mao Jinchu a local villager bravely led a group of young men into the Yellow Dragon Cave. They faced many challenges. The young men explored the cave. They revealed its secrets. The local government was able to show the Yellow Dragon Cave to the world.
Now we stand at the entrance of the Yellow Dragon Cave. The Yellow Dragon Cave is located in Zhangjiajie. It is known as the “all-round champion” of karst caves. The highest point inside reaches 100 meters. It features vast caverns dark rivers hanging waterfalls and dense stalagmites. In 2005 it was named one of China’s most beautiful tourist caves. The Yellow Dragon Cave has both dry and water-filled sections. It has four layers. The total area is 100000 square meters. The tour route stretches 3.2 kilometers. This includes 800 meters of waterways and 2400 meters of land paths.
Inside the Yellow Dragon Cave you will see many cave formations. There are stalactites stalagmites stone pillars stone curtains stone flowers and stone pearls. These create a beautiful scene. Many of the caverns and formations are named after characters from “Journey to the West”. Others are named after features of a dragon palace. The Dragon King’s Throne is a highlight.
One of the most famous sights is the “Sea-Suppressing Divine Needle”. This is a 19.2-meter-tall stalagmite. It grows on a slope. It is thin in the middle. The narrowest point is only 10 centimeters in diameter. Scientists estimate that it has taken almost 200000 years to reach its current height. To protect this natural wonder the park bought an insurance policy worth 100 million yuan for it in 1998.
Further inside you will find the Xiangshui River. Here you can take a boat tour. The river is 2800 meters long and averages 6 meters deep. The water temperature stays around 16 degrees Celsius. It is home to rare fish including the giant salamander and the “glass fish”. The boat tour covers about 800 meters and takes about 10 minutes.
Finally we reach the Maze. This area covers about 1600 square meters. It is considered the essence of the Yellow Dragon Cave. Unlike other areas you can walk among the formations. Here you can see pure white stalactites stone curtains and stone flowers. There is a stone flower that has been here for 380 million years. It is a treasure of the Yellow Dragon Cave.
Remember the legend of Master He? The Yellow Dragon Cave remains a place of wonder. It is a testament to the power of nature. It is also a reminder of the courage of those who explored its depths. As you leave the cave may you carry a sense of awe and respect for this underground palace.