The Longyou Caves, also known as the Longyou Grottoes, are a series of man-made underground caverns located in Zhejiang Province, China. These caves are considered to be one of the largest ancient underground excavation sites in the world.
Discovery:
The Longyou Caves were discovered in 1992 by a local villager who accidentally came across a small pond. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the pond was actually connected to a large underground cavern. This discovery led to the subsequent exploration and excavation of the site.
Cave Complex:
The Longyou Caves consist of at least 24 separate chambers carved out of solid sandstone. The chambers are large, with the average floor area being over 1,000 square meters (approximately 10,764 square feet) and the ceiling heights reaching up to 30 meters (98 feet). The caves are interconnected through corridors and passageways, forming a complex underground structure.
