武岩洞

Wuyan Cave


Useful Information

Location: Mengxi Village, Luota Township, Longshan County. Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark.
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Open: no restrictions.
[2021]
Fee: free.
[2021]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Wuyan Cave, Mengxi Village, Luota Township, Longshan County.
Xiangxi Geopark Administration, Tel: +86-743-8232292, Fax: +86-743-416000. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History


Description

The entrance to 武岩洞 (Wǔ yándòng, Wuyan Cave) is a 46 m high and 26 m wide portal which is the resurgence of a cave river. Right in front of the entrance, the river forms a 6 m high cascade. The trail follows the main river passage, which continually ascents, is 10m to 20m wide and straight.

Wuyan Cave has three levels. The lowest level is the active river cave which was developed as a show cave. The middle level is about 10 m higher, and the upper level is 25 m higher than the low level.

The cave formed along fractures running a north-northeast direction through the Permian micritic limestone and bioclastic marl in Qixia Formation. There are fractures in north-northeast and northwest direction, but the cave passages follow the first almost completely. However, the entrance section follows the second direction, and the portal thus faces southeast, and turns right at a 90° angle after only 25 m. There are wooden trails across the river at the entrance, but they end after the first bend.

From here the huge passage with an almost level floor is visited by walking on the cave floor along the river. After about 120 m the passage narrows and is completely filled by the cave river, which is the factual end of the show cave part. If you want to follow the cave further gum boot, helmet and headlamp are advisable. The following part is still level and easy but requires walking in the river. Also, you should definitely watch the weather forecast. In general the cave should not be visited in the rainy season, although there are no restrictions.