Yixing Zhanggong's Cave Scenic Spot. [Photo/jiangsutravel.us]
Yixing Zhanggong's Cave Scenic Spot, an old limestone karst cave is famous as a Taoism resort. Since the Tang Dynasty, many famous persons have visited the cave, leaving a large amount of poems, prose and stone inscriptions there. The core of the whole cave is located in Haiwang cave, where there are limitless stalactites, clouds and mists lingering in the cave, making visitors feel like they are in a palace at the bottom of sea. There are smaller caves such as Shuibi Cave, Qipan Cave, Dongzhong Cave, Qiqiao Cave among others, surrounding Hiawang Cave.
While ascending to the peak from the steps in the caves, visitors can enjoy a view of the landscape, with Taihu Lake in distance. According to records in Taoism books, in the Spring and Autumn Period, Geng Sangchu, the Taoist, secluded in the Cave and wrote 9 chapters of Geng Sangchu; besides, Zhang Daoling of the Eastern Han Dynasty and Zhang Guolao of Dang Dynasty cultured themselves in the Cave. In Kaiyuan Period of Tang Dynasty, Emperor Ming of Tang Dynasty built Dongling Temple to surround Zhanggon's Cave, and wrote on the inscribed board of the Temple. The temple was rebuilt as Tianshen Wanshou Palace in Song Dynasty, and later rebuilt as Zhaoyang Taoist Temple in Qing Dynasty.
From the mountain foot to the top, numerous doors and buildings, towering palaces, red walls and black titles, green shade, 8 palaces including Lingguan Palace, Yuhuang Palace, Tianshi Palace, Sanqing Palace are located here with 29 statures sparkling in the Palaces.
