紫霞洞

Zixiadong

Useful Information

Location:	Xinning County, Shaoyang, Hunan (26.379652, 110.813937)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Gorge
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Zixiadong, Xinning County, Shaoyang, Hunan.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

紫霞洞 (Zixiadong, Zixia Cave) is a misnomer, this cave is a gorge, so we listed it under the naem Zixiadong Gorge. This site is one of the strange landscapes of Hunan, a gorge in sandstone with vertical walls, overhanging rocks and natural bridges. It actually looks like one of those historic Chinese paintings with mist clouded vertical rock walls. The gorge is entered through a narrow section which widens and becomes a canyon surrounded by high red cliffs. The canyon has a brook and is famous for waterfalls, birds, green bamboo and blooming wild flowers. According to legend the immortal True Man of Zixia invented Tao when he lived here, hence the name.