Guizhou hides the "Great Sage's Eye"! Climb a 90° cliff to see a glowing monkey face, 99% of people can't find it

Who would have thought that deep in the mountains of Anshun, Guizhou, there is a natural wonder that would make fans of "Journey to the West" scream with excitement? Last week, I followed the navigation, circling the mountain road three times, and finally climbed down the cliff using both hands and feet. The next moment, I was frozen in place by the scene before me—a bright green karst cave pool clearly reflected a "Great Sage's face"! The eyes were wide open and fierce, the nose sharp, and the lips tightly pressed. At the moment the noon sunlight passed through the cave, golden light suddenly appeared on the water surface, vividly like the Monkey King opening his "Fiery Eyes," giving me goosebumps all over!

This wild spot, unknown even to many locals in Anshun, is called the "Great Sage's Eye," a "natural artwork" sculpted by karst landforms over hundreds of millions of years. But seeing it is not easy. I fell into three big traps and fell twice before figuring it out. Today, I’m sharing this "hardcore, bloodied guide" with you—friends who want to check it out, don’t take detours!

1. Precise Location: Don’t be fooled by navigation! Finding the right "sinkhole code" is the first step

Many people can’t find "Great Sage's Eye" when searching. Actually, it’s hidden near the "Anshun Dragon Palace Tunnel." Remember these three key points for correct positioning:

1. Navigation start point: Search directly for "Anshun Dragon Palace Tunnel." It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Guiyang. When you are 5 kilometers from the tunnel, watch the right side of the road—there are no scenic spot signs here, you have to rely on "off-the-beaten-path" navigation.

2. Parking signal: Stop immediately when you see an "oval-shaped sinkhole" by the roadside! This sinkhole looks like a giant’s smashed hole, with a few crooked-neck trees on the edge, the only "landmark." Important reminder: parking space fits at most 3 cars. I arrived at 8 a.m. and grabbed the last spot. After 9 a.m., you can only park at a farmer’s house 1 kilometer away, paying an extra 20 yuan and having to walk back.

3. Entrance password: Don’t wander after parking! Follow the sinkhole edge to find a "tree tied with a red ribbon"—hikers tie red ribbons on trees at forks to prevent others from getting lost. When you see the red ribbon, climb over the fence (be careful not to tear your clothes), then follow the worn dirt path down. I didn’t notice this and followed a path without ribbons for 10 minutes, only to be blocked by a patch of thorny vines and had to return, wasting half an hour.

2. Life-or-death hike: 90° cliff + falling rocks! Don’t go without these items

Don’t be fooled by the words "wild spot." The last 100 meters is like an "outdoor beginner’s exam." I’ve seen people cry and crawl back halfway. If you’re not well prepared, seriously reconsider!

- Must-have gear list:

- Non-slip hiking shoes: The dirt path is very slippery after rain. I wore ordinary sneakers and slipped every other step, finally holding onto grass stems to stay steady. Hiking shoes double the grip and reduce falls.

- Helmet/safety hat: Rocks above the cave often drop small stones. I wore a bike helmet the whole time. I heard a "plop" as a fingernail-sized stone hit the helmet—scary to think about.

- Flashlight/phone flashlight: The cave’s depths are pitch black. Even at noon, you can’t see your hand. When my phone was almost out of battery, I panicked and only found the exit by borrowing a companion’s flashlight.

- Waterproof bag: Water splashes near the pool. Phones and cameras must be in waterproof bags. I saw someone drop their phone in the water; it wouldn’t turn on after retrieval—a wasted trip.

- Deadly warnings:

1. Don’t force it if you’re not an outdoor enthusiast! The last 100 meters is almost vertical cliff, no steps, only rock crevices and tree roots to hold onto while climbing down. I have acrophobia; my legs shook the whole time. Looking down was a deep pool, my heart nearly jumped out.

2. Absolutely no visits on rainy days! The dirt path turns to mud with zero grip. Last year, a hiker slipped in the rain but was luckily caught by a companion; otherwise, they would have fallen into the pool.

3. Don’t go alone! The cave has many forks and very poor signal. My companion and I got separated for 5 minutes, shouting with no response. We finally found each other by blowing whistles.

3. Secret to shooting the "Fiery Eyes": Find the right time + filter, even your phone can take stunning shots

Many people only see a green pool at the water’s edge and can’t find the "Great Sage’s face." Actually, they missed the "trigger conditions"! I waited for 2 hours and summarized 3 keys:

1. Best time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. noon: Only on sunny days at noon can sunlight pass exactly through two small holes in the cliff (these are the "Great Sage’s eyes"). The light on the water creates a golden shimmering effect, revealing the "Fiery Eyes." When I arrived at 10 a.m., the light was too slanted, only vague outlines were visible. At 11:30 a.m., when the sun was right, the "Monkey King’s face" instantly became clear, and I screamed out loud.

2. Shooting angle: Crouch on the left side of the pool: Don’t stand directly in front of the pool! Crouch on the left side, aim the lens at the water reflection to see the complete "Monkey King’s face"—the rock bulge on the right is the nose, the shadow of the underground river is the lips, and the reflection of the two holes are the eyes. Even a slight angle change ruins it.

3. Phone filter: Adjust "Vivid" + lower exposure: Don’t use the default camera on your phone! Turn on the "Vivid" filter and lower the exposure a bit. The green water becomes clearer, and the "Great Sage’s face" outline sharper. Photos I took this way got flooded with friend requests for the location, and some thought it was photoshopped.

4. Hidden activities: Besides the "Great Sage’s Eye," don’t miss these two spots

If you only see the "Great Sage’s Eye" and leave, you’re missing out! There are two more "Easter eggs" inside the cave, fewer people and great for photos:

1. Century-old brewing stone troughs: Walk 10 minutes deeper into the cave from the "Great Sage’s Eye" to see several huge stone troughs with faint carvings. Locals say mountain villagers used these for brewing wine over a hundred years ago. You can still see wine stains inside, and the troughs feel icy cold to the touch, adding to the mystery.

2. Bat cave: See tens of thousands of "night elves": Walk another 20 minutes along the underground river to a larger cave with over ten thousand bats hanging from the ceiling. At dusk, they fly out together to forage, a black swarm passing overhead—both spectacular and a bit scary. Bring a flashlight but don’t use flash; it will startle the bats.

5. Soul advice: I’ve stepped into these traps for you, don’t repeat them!

Finally, a few heartfelt words from my own experience:

- Don’t believe "you can see it anytime": I went at 3 p.m. the first day; the pool was windy with ripples, just muddy water. The next day, I got up early to catch noon and finally saw the "Fiery Eyes." The "Great Sage’s Eye" really only favors the "destined" (actually depends on weather and time).

- Bring some snacks and water: There are no shops nearby. I was hungry and thirsty after climbing down and had to eat bread. I recommend energy bars and bottled water—light and filling.

- Take all your trash with you: I saw many plastic bottles by the pool, which ruined the scenery. Please put your trash in bags and carry it out. Such a beautiful place shouldn’t be spoiled by garbage.

A few final words

The "Great Sage’s Eye" is not a traditional scenic spot; it lacks facilities and is somewhat dangerous. But when you climb down the cliff and see sunlight piercing the cave, the "Monkey King’s face" glowing on the water, you’ll feel all the hardship was worth it—this is the charm of wild spots, not a quick check-in but a unique encounter with a natural wonder.

If you’re a hardcore hiker, a karst landform fan, or a die-hard "Journey to the West" fan, this place is definitely worth the risk. But if you’re a hiking novice, afraid of heights, or want an easy trip, better skip it—don’t let the beauty become a burden.

I hope this guide helps you. If you really go, remember to take a photo of the "Fiery Eyes" and share it with me in the comments!