燕子垭景区

Yanziya Scenic Area

Useful Information

Location:	209国道, Shennongjia, Hubei, 442416. (31.7163946, 110.4597241)
Open:	All year daily 8-17. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Karst Cave Yeren
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	Swallow Cave: L=3,700 m, A=2,343 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Yanziya Scenic Area, 209国道, Shennongjia, Hubei, 442416, Tel: +86-719-337-2136.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

燕子垭景区 (Yànzǐ yā jǐngqū, Swallow Pass Area) is strange place high up in the hills. It is named after the large numbers of swallows which live here and is popular among bird enthusiasts. The road branches off the G209 highway, which crosses the mountain ridge deep below through a long tunnel. To reach the pass, you may leave the road either in the north right at the tunnel entrance or further south. Actually it is also road 209, it is the old road which became unused after the tunnels had been built. Today it is more or less a tourist attraction, as it offers many great views. Unfortunately it is frequented by busses with tourists, which makes the narrow road a little difficult to drive.

The pass itself is called 燕子垭 (Swallow Pass, A=2,200 m asl) and has a few buildings, a small car park, and several trails. Highlight is a bridge across the pass, which was built to connect the two high rocks flanking the pass road, and is 49 m high and has a span of 50 m. Its official name is 燕子垭彩虹桥 (Yànzǐ yā cǎihóng qiáo, Swallow Pass Rainbow Bridge). The gorge between the limestone rocks on both sides is artificial though. It was blasted into the rock to allow the construction of National Highway 209 across this pass. The site is a geosite of the Shennongija UNESCO Global Geopark.

The reason why we have listed the site are two caves on opposite sides of the pass, which may be reached on short hikes on well-prepared trails. The 野人洞 (Yěrén dòng, Wild Men Cave) was named after the Yeren, which is the local bigfoot, 2.5 m high apes with reddish fur. As far as we know no Yeren have been seen in the last years, so a visit to the cave should be safe. On the other side is the 燕子洞 (Yànzǐ dòng, Swallow Cave). The trail leads to a huge entrance portal, 17 m high and 20 m wide, which is home to a great number of birds. The cave is 3,700 m long, but it is not developed as a show cave. The trail ends in the entrance hall. If you have lamps and good walking shoes, you may explore a little further.

The Yeren legends seem to have inspired a museum, which is located south of the pass along the old 209 road in Tianmenya Attraction. It is called the Human-Shaped Animal Museum, like the Yeren which are though to be huge apes. The museum shows mandrills, mountain ghosts, human bears and other "wild man"-like creatures.