Fengming Cave, on the banks of the Wujiang River, is ringed by mountains and naturally cool in summer. Villagers said the interior temperature stays around 10 to 20 C even when outside temperatures approach 40.

Before descending into the cave's inner area, visitors pass through a 64-by-36-meter arena. It includes a standard court and terraced seating for more than 2,000 people. Behind that is a scenic section with stalactites and flowstone formations. The complex also hosts a bar and lounge, a central viewing hall, and an exploration hall.

According to legend, the cave's passages form a Y shape, and the trickle of water sometimes sounds like a phoenix's call, a tale that gave Fengming its name, meaning "sound of the phoenix".

Playing basketball in a cave has brought unprecedented foot traffic, turning the cave into a lucrative attraction.

"Before, our village relied mainly on rice and corn farming and a small peach and pear industry," said Wang Chunnian, Cuantang's Party secretary. "We had five caves, and people mainly used them to cool off. Now, events bring steady visitors and new business."

Wang said villagers who sell snacks and drinks can earn 1,000 to 2,000 yuan ($140-$280) daily on busy days.

The idea originated in Yangnan, another village in Yanhe county. In early 2024, residents converted a large cave into an arena holding more than 4,000 people. Organizers said the project boosted local incomes and put Yanhe on the social media map. Since August 2024, the county has hosted roughly 200 basketball events involving more than 1,000 teams.

The Yangnan example encouraged nearby villages. Cuantang's large cave spaces and its location 17 kilometers from the county seat give it an edge in attracting visitors.

"The venues inside the caves are sheltered from the weather and are quiet and suitable for community activities," Wang said. "People can exercise, cool off, and meet others. Villagers raised money to build this site."

Officials said community initiatives, together with county-led environmental and geological assessments, have spurred a wave of cave development. Sites are being positioned as tourist draws and as spaces for sports and events.

"Cave basketball is not a single event," said Wang Tao, Yanhe's deputy county head. "It is an experiment in combining sports with cultural tourism. We are exploring all possibilities."

Yanhe is a remote county with limited industry, according to Wang Tao. For years, the local government has sought ways to boost jobs and incomes.

New businesses are following the visitors. Some villagers have opened cave restaurants and bars. Others are aging sorghum liquor in caves.

In Shihua village, Zhang Liao stores his home-brewed baijiu underground. Local media reported that cave-aged liquor can sell for more than double the price of comparable brands.

Yanhe officials said they intend to focus on caves within a 20-minute drive of the county seat that have good transport access. Those sites will undergo safety inspections and environmental reviews before development proceeds.

After the cave events went viral, several companies and sports platforms approached local authorities. The deputy county head said any market-driven projects will move forward only after assessments.

"Cave basketball gave us a good start, but much work remains to create distinct, sustainable offerings that keep visitors coming back," he said.

Planners are also considering a regional basketball alliance to link cities across the Wuling Mountain area, where several provinces meet. Officials said a coordinated approach could help the region develop together and support small communities that lack industry.

"It's important that we use our cave resources to follow a development path that fits us, rather than copying tourism trends," Wang Tao said.