Jingmen Travel Guide

Located in the Songlin Mountain about 4.7 miles to the east of Zhongxiang City, Xianling Mausoleum is the joint mausoleum built by of the Emperor Jiajing for his parents - the Emperor Gong Ruixian and the Empress Zhangsheng during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Covering an area of 183 hectares, it is a magnificent ancient architectural complex which looks dazzlingly splendid in glittery golden and green.
 
Strictly following traditional Chinese Fengshui theory, Xianling Mausoleum combines the surrounding mountains and rivers as its necessary parts. The mausoleum is composed of over 30 large building complexes. It is divided into the inner and outer parts connected by a 1,422-yard sacred way. On both sides of the sacred way, there is an orderly display of stone statues; pairs of animal carvings such as lions, camels, kylins, horses and elephants, and two stone figures including civil officials and generals. Inside the Red Gate, there are Xiama Bei (a stele erected to remind people to dismount to show respect in the past), Imperial Tablet Pavilion, Ming Tower, Heavenly Gate, Imperial River, White Marble Stone Bridge and other attached buildings, all of which are supremely exquisite, reflecting the high level of ancient Chinese constructional craft.
 
Due to its abundant underground cultural relics, unique environment, ingenious layout and important historical value, Xianling Mausoleum has been added to the China World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 2000.
 Lying on the south slope of Dahong Mountain in Zhongxiang of Jingmen, Huangxian Cave is a rare karst cave which integrates various geological wonders such as sedimentary environments, underground streams, and karst landscapes into the scene.
 
It is a long and winding cave measuring over 2,187 yards long. The mouth of the cave faces northwest and measures 328 feet and 77 yards wide. Through the extremely long period of geological change and development, the abundant limestone inside the cave has formed into the typical karst landscape like a heavenly world. Walking into the cave, you can find all sorts of wonderful rock formations everywhere. Nature has been carving the stalagmites and stalactites into stone columns, stone curtains, stone waterfalls, stone spears and stone needles. And nature doesn't forget to dress them in different gorgeous colors – red, white, yellow and green. The most attractive sight is the more than two hectares of karst basins called "Yun Pen". In rainy seasons, these basins are filled up with water.
 
People have given many of stone sculptures vivid names, such as Dongkou Xiongfeng (The Imposing Manner in the Cave Mouth), Murong Yingke (Banyan Welcomes Guest), Jigong Yangtian (Jigong Looks Up to the Sky), Die Xi Xiongmao (Butterfly Makes Fun of Panda), Dapeng Zhanchi (Roc Spread Its Wings), Shuangxiang Xishui (Two Elephants Splash in the Water), and Wanxia Mantian (A Sky full of Sunset Glow).
 
Through the ages, Huangxian Cave has attracted countless men of letters and monks who have left many cliffside inscriptions and frescos. Due to its marvelous landscape, rich cultural relics and high value geological research, it is worth being regarded as a rare karst treasure in China. 
 

Entrance Fee:

CNY 50

On the Baiyun Avenue, three major bus stations are located, providing buses to Wuhan, Yichang and some other cities. Buses to Wuhan depart every 20 to 30 minutes with one and a half hours' drive. Every 20 to 40 minutes, buses to Yichang will take about 50 minutes to their destination.

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