The Shuangmen Grottoes of Changyu Dongtian are full of legendary charm

Also known as Shuangmen Cave and Shuangmen Hole, the Shuangmen Grottoes blend quarrying culture with Taoist culture. Inside the grottoes, there are rich cliff carvings and exquisite Taoist stone murals. A mountain does not need to be high; it becomes spiritual with the presence of an immortal. Before the Changyu Dongtian Scenic Area was developed, the Shuangmen Grottoes were already well-known. Three hundred years ago, the grottoes were immersed in Taoist culture. According to legend, a Taoist named Zhang Yisong traveled far and wide for many years before finally finding a place to settle in the Shuangmen Grottoes. During the height of summer, it was scorching hot outside the grottoes, but cool breezes blew inside. Zhang Yisong felt refreshed and repeatedly exclaimed how wonderful it was. He decided to settle there and practice Taoism until he passed away at the age of 96, becoming a great master. People say he achieved immortality. Later, a Taoist named Fang Yang came to the grottoes, attracted by their fame, to practice. One day, a flash flood destroyed nearby villages, and the villagers fled to the Shuangmen Grottoes, escaping disaster. They believed they were protected by divine spirits. Under Fang Yang's leadership, the villagers pooled their resources to build the Lingxiao Temple at the entrance of the grottoes. Since then, incense offerings have never ceased, and later generations continued to carve and engrave Taoist scriptures and illustrations inside the grottoes. Many literati and poets left their impressions, which were carved on the walls. Qing Dynasty poet Di Zhanyun wrote: 'The deep mountains do not suffer from the heat; nothing compares to Shuangmen Cave. When I come, the wind greets me; when I leave, the wind sees me off.' Inside the scenic area, there is a full-body stone statue of Laozi, the founder of the Taoist school. The grotto entrance walls are engraved with the 'Tao Te Ching.' The walls also feature the 'Observing the Tao and Clearing the Mind' mural, consisting of 26 paintings, each with a corresponding story summary below. The murals are based on original Taoist illustrations, vivid and profound in meaning. 📍Detailed address: Shuangmen Grottoes, Changyu Dongtian, Wenling City, Zhejiang Province Ticket price: 35 yuan Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM ⏳Recommended duration: 1 hour