Shanjuan Cave, Show cave in Luoyan Mountain, Yixing, China

Shanjuan Cave is a cave system spanning about 800 meters across Luoyan Mountain in Yixing. It consists of four connected sections: Upper Cave, Middle Cave, Lower Cave, and Water Cave, with the last one containing an underground river.

Called Stone Room in the Three Kingdoms period and Jiudou Cave under the Liang, the cave had Shanjuan Temple built beside it in the Northern and Southern dynasties and served as a private tomb in the Tang. Squire Chu Nanqiang funded repairs in 1921 and later handed the cave to the government; it opened to the public in 1934 and was listed among the first national cultural relics in 1956.

The cave is linked to the legend of Shanjuan, a teacher of the sage-king Shun who refused the throne and withdrew to this cave, giving it its name. Since May 2006 it has been recognised by the China Folk Artists Association as the 'Village of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai', and the rear cave preserves the earliest and richest records of the Butterfly Lovers story.

The interior stays cool at around 23 degrees Celsius year-round, so bring a warm layer even if it is hot outside. Access through all four sections is well organized, with boat rides through the underground river being a main experience.

The Water Cave contains an underground river that allows boat rides spanning about 120 meters with water depth up to 4 meters. These rides offer an unexpected view of hidden sections of the mountain not accessible on foot.