Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Longyou Caves
Oct 11, 2023
Discover the mesmerizing Longyou Caves, a stunning architectural marvel hidden beneath a drained pond in China. Delve into local legends and the quest to unveil the truth about these mysterious structures. Explore the intricate carvings that showcase exceptional craftsmanship and ponder the many theories surrounding their purpose, including the debated idea that they served as water cisterns. Each twist and turn in this cavernous tale reveals more about the complexities and enigmas of these fascinating ancient wonders.
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Discovery of the Longyou Caves
- In 1992, a Chinese villager named Wu drained a supposedly bottomless pond.
- He discovered an intricate system of man-made caverns, now known as the Longyou Caves.
Scale and Architecture
- The Longyou Caves are a system of 24 grottoes covering 7.5 acres.
- One grotto boasts a 100-foot ceiling supported by carved pillars.
Detailed Workmanship
- The Longyou Caves' walls and ceilings feature intricate parallel carvings.
- These carvings were made with small chisels, creating a uniform texture.