Yangshuo Caves
The amazing karst formations that form the landscape in
the region were created by the gradual retreat of inland
seas which through erosion has created fissures, sinkholes,
underground lakes and streams and many caves. Most are inaccessible
to the general public but many in Yangshuo County have been
made safe and opened to the public. The following list is
some of the major caves you can visit whilst staying in
Yangshuo.
All tickets to the caves can be booked at the reception
in YSMR
Dragon Cave
Location:
From
YSMR
head towards the main road in the direction of Yangshuo
(2km).Turn right when you reach the main road, cross the
bridge heading towards Moon Hill and the cave is approximately
1.5km on the left hand side of the road.
Length of cave tour: 45 minutes
Features: The cave is very accessible for all ages
with a paved path running through. The stalagmites and stalactites
are lit up with various color lights giving it a magical
feeling that children always seem to enjoy. There are a
few underwater crystal clear ponds that look like mirrors
in the dim light. At the end of a path you will exit on
a boat as a large underwater pond stretches into the depths
of the cave.
Real Water Cave Location: From
YSMR
head towards the main road in the direction of Yangshuo
(2km).Turn right when you reach the main road, cross the
bridge and head towards Moon Hill (4km). On the left hand
side opposite
Moon
Hill is Moon Hill Village. Head down the road
towards the village. There are two large signs at the beginning
of the village, the left sign promotes the Buddha Water
Cave and the right is for the Real Water Cave which is this
one. The ticket office to the Real Water Cave is at the
other end of the village on the right hand side.
Length of cave tour: Short tour: 1.5 hours, Full
length tour: 3 hours
Features:
This cave is for the slightly more adventurous and stretches
far back into the mountain. You enter in a small narrow
boat meandering through stalactites and low hanging rock.
The cave has huge cavernous halls and gigantic glimmering
rock formations. Half way through the cave there is large
mud bath that is excellent to lie in and float on. Towards
the back of the cave are a series of clear ponds that are
excellent to have a swim in and wash all the mud off.
Tips:
Bring your swimsuit, towel, shoes with good
grip that you don't mind getting wet and be prepared for
a wet, muddy experience!
Lotus
CaveLocation: Ticket
office in Xingping - please ask at reception for details
Length of Cave Tour: 1 hour
Features: The Lotus Cave is approximately 600 meters
long reaching to 40 meters at its highest point. There are
hundreds of formations inside including of course the famous
lotus formations. The cave lotuses look very similar to
real lotus leaves and range from 30 centimeters to 2 meters
in diameter.
Picture - Lotus Cave
Crown CaveLocation: Caoping - please ask at reception for details
Length of cave tour: 1-2 hours
Features: The commercialized Crown Cave is another
favorite for families with children and is located near
the village of Caoping on the Li River. It is part of a
giant subterranean river system that stretches 12 kilometers.
The tour however, only explores the first 3 kilometers but
is still an enjoyable experience not least because of the
various ways you can explore it. With small boats, elevators,
mini trains and slow roller coasters the Crown Cave was
listed in the Guinness book of World Records as having the
most differing ways of exploring a cave.
Butterfly Cave & Spring Park
Location:
From
YSMR
head towards the main road in the direction of Yangshuo
(2km). When you reach the main road head straight on towards
Yangshuo. The cave is approximately 3.5km on the left side
hand side of the road. Although there is space at the side
of the road to walk it is busy and much better to go by
bike.
Length of cave tour: 30 min
Features:
The karst peak that shadows the entrance to the Butterfly
Spring Park has a giant Monarch Butterly bolted to its crag
wall. The cave is comparatively short stretching for about
400 meters. Water runs out of the rock to form pools which
is the Butterfly Spring. The cave however is only one of
the attractions as the park is also the largest area for
viewing Monarch Butterflies in China. Additionally, you
can also view the waterfalls on Butterfly Hill, taste wild
honey in the Honeybee Garden or look at over 10 thousand
models of differing butterfly species in the Butterfly Exhibition
Hall.
Picture - Butterfly cave
The Silver CaveLocation: 25 Kilometers from Yangshuo - please ask
at reception for details
Length of cave tour: 1.5 hours
Features: The Silver Cave runs through 12 karst formations
and the round tour covers approximately 2 kilometers. Famous
for its wonderful shapes including thousands of stalactites
and stalagmites the cave is divided into three sections
that have distinctive features making for a great experience.
For more great pictures of the caves go to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yangshuomountainretreat/sets/72157603689752017/
