Introduction
Located in Xiangyun County, Yunnan Province, Qinghua Ancient Cave is a significant archaeological site and one of the earliest discovered human habitation sites in the region. Revered as the “first cave in western Yunnan”, it offers a rare window into Neolithic civilization, with evidence of human activity dating back 5,000 years.
Discovered in 1961, archaeological excavations unearthed a wealth of Neolithic relics, including trapezoidal stone axes, stone chisels, moon-shaped knives, and stone adzes, shedding light on the tools and technologies of early human inhabitants. The site remains one of the earliest Neolithic habitation sites found in Xiangyun County and has become an important cultural landmark.
On 27th of May 1988, the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture People’s Government designated Qinghua Ancient Cave as one of the first batch of state-level key cultural relic protection units, underscoring its historical and cultural significance.
In June 2010, a trial excavation at the site uncovered over 70 artifacts, including axes, adzes, chisels, knives, pestles, and grindstones. More than 5,000 ostracons were also discovered, including pieces from pots, jars, bowls, and lids. These findings further solidified Qinghua Ancient Cave’s status as an essential site for understanding ancient human activities in the area.
With its rich cultural heritage, Qinghua Ancient Cave remains a treasure trove of historical insights, worthy of continued exploration and preservation.
Qinghua Ancient Cave, a stunning karst cave in Xiangyun County, is divided into two main parts: the front cave and the back cave. The front cave, approximately 30 meters deep, 5 meters high, is the main chamber located centrally at the entrance. Inside, the landscape is breathtaking, with abrupt peaks, hanging stalagmites and stalactites, creating an otherworldly ambiance. The back cave, which separate into two branches. It is still largely unexplored. It is home to a mesmerizing display of stone flowers, stalagmites, and stone pillars, all in a dazzling array of colors. On the right side of the back cave, there are three small holes—varying in size—with dozens of tiny holes nested along the walls, adding to the cave’s enigma. Xu Xiake, the famous Ming Dynasty geographer, documented the entrance and features of Qinghua Ancient Cave in his travelogue, and modern discoveries confirm that the structure of Qinghua cave aligns with his descriptions.
Since the Ming Dynasty, geographers, literati, and scholars such as Li Yuanyang, Guo Songnian, and Yang Shen have visited Qinghua Cave, leaving behind a rich legacy of cliff inscriptions at the entrance. Notable inscriptions include “Qing Hua Dong Tian”, “Bie You Dong Tian”. Li Yuanyang, who visited the cave personally, described it as “deep and unfathomable”, capturing the mysterious allure of the cave. It is said that some commoners who ventured into the cave were so overwhelmed by its size and darkness that they ran out of torches and exhausted their provisions, ultimately retreating in awe.
Ancient Cave Oxygen Therapy
Qinghua Ancient Cave, renowned for its abundant negative oxygen ions, is a natural therapeutic sanctuary in China. The central area boasts an impressive concentration of over 100,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic centimeter (100,000 ions/Cm³), making it one of the rarest high-negative oxygen ion sites in the country. These negative oxygen ions are often referred to as “air vitamins” due to their significant health benefits.
Breathing in these ions through the respiratory tract can have a profound effect on human health. Negative oxygen ions help to improve lung capacity, enhance lung function, and promote overall respiratory health. They are particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from respiratory tract conditions or bronchial diseases, offering adjuvant therapeutic effects that can complement traditional treatments.
As one of the most unique natural environments for oxygen therapy, Qinghua Ancient Cave offers a rejuvenating experience, harnessing the healing power of the natural air.
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