Water Curtain Cave (水簾洞, Shuǐlián dòng?) is a hidden area in the Flowers and Fruit Mountain.
Description[]
Situated within the heart of the mountain, the Water Curtain Cave can be found by traveling through a magnificent waterfall cascading down from a spring that went down to join the waves of the sea. The entrance of the cave is connected to the waterfall by an iron bridge leading to the cave, with water rushing below that poured out through a fissure in the rocks.[1]
This cavern boasts a serene landscape, which include piles of emerald moss, white clouds gracing the air amidst wisps of colored mist, dragon pearls hanging in niches and exotic blooms all around, tall bamboos, sprigs of plum blossom and a few pines that always attract rain. Within this haven of tranquility, there is a house with windows, which include stone chairs and beds, a stove and fireplace, a table, stone plates and bowls. A stone tablet with the a carved inscription reads: "Happy Land of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, Cave Heaven of the Water Curtain (花果山福地、水簾洞洞天, Huāguǒ shān fúdì, shuǐlián dòng dòngtiān?).
With Sun Wukong's ascent to the role of king, the Water Curtain Cave undergoes a transformation. It becomes a haven for the monkeys, a place where they train and rejuvenate under the watchful gaze of their newly crowned leader.
The water in cave below leads to Dragon Palace in East Sea.
Poem[]
The cave is described in the following poem:[1]
翠蘚堆藍，白雲浮玉，光搖片片煙霞。
虛窗靜室，滑凳板生花。
乳窟龍珠倚掛， 縈迴滿地奇葩。
鍋灶傍崖存火跡，樽罍靠案見殽渣。
石座石床真可愛，石盆石碗 更堪誇。
又見那一竿兩竿修竹，三點五點梅花。
幾樹青松常帶雨，渾然像個人家。
Fresh mosses piling up indigo,
White clouds like jade afloat,
And luminous sheens of mist and smoke;
Empty windows, quiet rooms,
And carved flowers growing smoothly on benches;
Stalactites suspended in milky caves;
Rare blossoms voluminous over the ground.
Pans and stoves near the wall show traces of fire;
Bottles and cups on the table contain left overs.
The stone seats and beds were truly lovable;
The stone pots and bowls were more praiseworthy.
There were, furthermore, a stalk or two of tall bamboos,
And three or five sprigs of plum flowers.
With a few green pines always draped in rain,
This whole place indeed resembled a home.