What's with the mirabilite cave?

The Sino-British joint expedition discovered the Xiao Pi Cave, the most beautiful canyon and the largest cave in Xinglong area.

When the car of the expedition went along the Panshan Highway in Xinjie, Xinhe Township, Fengjie, a grand canyon appeared in front of everyone: the steep cliff was almost vertical, and there was a bottomless canyon between several mountains. The clouds are light and the wind is light, and the two houses lie quietly in the shade. In the distance, the Taoyuan River, which runs at the bottom of the valley, flows like a thin line along the Caiziba Hydropower Station at the bottom of the valley. Mr Andrew Evans of the expedition couldn't help admiring. He said it was the most beautiful canyon in Xinglong area.

According to the scheduled plan, the expedition climbed the Xiao Pi Cave (Pitiao Cave) in the Mid-levels at dusk, and found the site left by predecessors' nitrate smelting, five large circular nitrate pits, a reservoir, a cooking stove and so on. , estimated to be at least 50 years old. The expedition opened fire to cook and camped in the abandoned nitrate pit site. At six o'clock the next morning, it was awakened by a chill.

The expedition walked along the passage and found that it was a huge cave, with a width of more than 80 meters and a height of 140 meters. Along the way, seven large nitrate pits were found, in which the oil pans used by predecessors for cooking were discarded, and there were white stalactites in the holes. Stalagmites can be seen everywhere, clear ponds are almost dry, and two streams meet to form an underground river.

Following the direction of one of the currents, we drilled through the cracks and found three halls. There are three large stone pillars in the hall, some of which are as long as 15 meters, which are precious. Attached to the rock wall, the landscape formed by flowing water scouring the limestone wall is very strange: layers of stone dams stop the flowing water, as if layers of fields were hung on the wall, which was called "fairy field" by Xu Xiake. The team leader hung in the air for a long time to shoot smoke, which added a fantastic color to it.

After more than 300 meters, the rescue team could not move forward and turn back. Mr Andrew has been exploring caves in Xinglong area for several years. He thinks it is the largest cave in Xinglong area, with unique landscape and tourism development value.