Alugu Caves

The Alugu Caves, (Alufu Dong) is situated 165km from Kunming, in Luxi County in Southeastern Yunnan. It is a network of karst caves made up of 18 magnificent chambers and a surreal underground river. The caves were actually part of the ocean beds during  prehistoric times. Seismic action caused the caves to be pushed upwards to dry land. These limestone caves had provided shelter to the Alu tribesmen during the Song and Yuan Dynasties.


Today, the huge caves are a major tourist attraction in Yunnan. More interestingly, it is a source of inspiration to poets, as the rock formations of stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars and karst grottoes play on the imagination of poets and visitors alike. These landforms have been given imaginative names. There were of course dragons, celestial immortals and other shapes with mythological references. The underground river is called Yusun River. The still,dark waters there are populated by a species of fish the locals call 'Blind Fish'.


These photographs below are accompanied by my own attempts at  haiku , inspired by my magical, mystical journey in the Alugu caves.

Caverns echo loud

Immortals' celestial tales

Thrilling, tragic, tense!

Elixirs of Life,

legends and myths abiding

in spectral rivers.

Battling dragons' fire

Tales of  victories sublime

Fantasies live on...

Click on the link to savour more haiku.

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