The Top 4 Beautiful Caves in Guilin
Guilin is known for its incomparable Karst landscape, which forged Guilin’s stunning scenery of hills, rivers and lakes. Besides of these, the Karst caves in Guilin are worse a visit. Here we present the 4 most notable and popular caves among travelers. If you are planning you trip to Guilin, select 1 or 2 of these caves is a good idea.
Reed Flute Cave
Located 5 kilometers from the center of Guilin, the Reed Flute Cave is a very popular attraction. This magical cave fascinates with its stalactites, stalagmites, columns and stone flowers in fantastic shapes and colors. With a depth of 240 meters and a tourist route of 500 meters, the cave looks like a palace adorned with jewels and is known as "Artistic Palace of Nature." The different points of the cave have names such as Primitive Forest, Crystal Palace and Flower and Fruit Mountain. The cave gets its name from a herb that grows at its entrance, used to make flutes. Since its opening to the public, numerous dignitaries and leaders from around the world have visited it, earning it the nickname "Guest Cave." It is advisable to visit it throughout the year, especially between April and October. Inside, there are many stairs and the floor can be slippery, so it is advisable to wear sports shoes for greater safety.
Seven Stars Cave
Located on Putuo Hill in Seven Star Park, this grotto was originally an ancient underground channel. The name of the park and the grotto is derived from seven peaks that resemble the constellation Ursa Major. The grotto is famous for its varied and wonderful landscapes, such as village charm and the Milky Way. Known as the "first grotto under heaven" in ancient times, it has been a sacred tourist site for more than a thousand years. Inside, you can see stalagmites and stalactites decorated with colored lights. The grotto has a maximum height of 27 meters and a width of 49 meters, with a tourist route of approximately 1000 meters. The varied colors and brilliance of the rock formations enhance the beauty of the cave, similar to a natural mural. With a constant temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius, it is convenient to visit at any time of the year. It is recommended to avoid peak seasons such as Chinese New Year, International Labor Day and National Day, when tourism is most intense.
Crown Cave
In the south of Guilin, in the central part of the Li River, is the Crown Grotto. Known for its natural landscapes and peculiar customs, its shape resembles an emperor's crown. This cave, 12 kilometers long, impresses with its grandeur. Tourists can admire its fantastic stalactites in five ways: walking, by slide, by elevator, by small train and on a floating bridge. Among its attractions are the underground river, the country island and the tourist train. The 700-meter underground river is surrounded by stalactites. The country island integrates art and nature with eight wonders around. The slide, 3.2 kilometers long, was declared the longest in the world by Guinness Records in 2000. The underground river scenic area has a small natural basin and a cable car to appreciate the mountains and the river from above. It is advisable to visit throughout the year, especially between April and October, and avoid peak seasons such as Labor Day and National Day.
Silver Cave
Located in Lipu District, the Silver Cave is the largest cave in Guilin and one of the wonders of the world. Composed of spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites, it is said that whoever visits it will have good fortune. This karst cave runs through 12 hills and its crystalline stalactites are thousands of years old. It gets its name because it looks like a shiny silver river. Among its many attractions, three beauties stand out: the snowy mountain waterfall, the music screen and the wonderful paradise of Yaochi; and three treasures: Buddha discussing Buddhist canons, pearl umbrella and the column that supports the sky. The cave scenic area integrates natural and cultural landscapes, with hills, crystal clear rivers, grasslands and lush trees. In addition, local festivals such as the flower festival, taro festival, and cycling and climbing competitions are held. It is an ideal destination for lovers of nature and culture, recommended to visit all year round, especially between April and October.
These are the most impressive caves in Guilin, each offering a unique and fascinating experience. Visiting these caves is a great way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich cultural history of this charming city.