Shihua Cave Scenic Area is located in Nancheying Village, Hebei Town, Fangshan District, Beijing. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, a national key scenic spot, and a national geopark. The scenic area is characterized by natural karst cave landscapes, with complete types of karst formations such as stone flowers, stalagmites, and stone pillars, which are exquisitely shaped and known as the "Museum of Chinese Karst Cave Treasures". Covering an area of about 4.5 square kilometers, the cave has multiple layers and branches. Currently, 8 layers have been developed, with layers 1-4 open to the public. The total length of the cave passage is about 2,500 meters, with a vertical height of 150 meters.
History and Culture
The history of Shihua Cave can be traced back to the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty. According to inscriptions in the cave, a Tang Dynasty monk named Yuanguang discovered the cave and built a temple here, naming it "Qianzhen Cave". During the Chongxi period of the Liao Dynasty and the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty, it was rebuilt and expanded, forming a unique pattern of "a temple in the cave and a cave in the temple".
In the 11th year of Zhengtong in the Ming Dynasty (1446), the eminent monk Xuan Guang presided over the reconstruction here. The cave still preserves Tang Dynasty statues such as the "Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva" and cultural relics such as inscriptions and cliff inscriptions from the Ming and Qing dynasties, providing important physical materials for the study of ancient Buddhist culture and cave development history.
In modern times, Shihua Cave was developed as a tourist attraction in 1982, named a national key scenic spot in 1994, and designated as a national geopark in 2002, becoming an important window for displaying karst landforms and cave culture.
Main Attractions
First Layer of Shihua Cave
The first layer of Shihua Cave covers an area of about 3,000 square meters, with the "Dragon Palace Hall" as the core landscape. The stalagmites and stone curtains such as the "Jade Pool Stone Lotus" and "Dragon Palace Curtain" in the cave are uniquely shaped. The "Dragon Palace Hall" is about 17 meters high and 20 meters wide, with the rare "Moon Milk Stone" landscape on the top, which is one of the iconic attractions in the cave.
Second Layer of Shihua Cave
The second layer is characterized by "Crystal Stone Flowers". The "King of Stone Flowers" in the cave has a diameter of 30 centimeters, one of the largest stone flowers found in Chinese caves. The "Silver Fox" landscape is snow-white, shaped like a fox, with crystal-clear hair-like calcite crystals, known as the "No. 1 Wonder of Chinese Caves" by geological experts.
Third Layer of Shihua Cave
The third layer highlights the "Stone Forest Wonder". The stone pillar groups such as the "Moon Altar" and "Spirit Pagoda" are staggered in height, with the tallest pillar reaching 12 meters. The "Dripping Guanyin" landscape is formed by dripping water deposition, vivid in image, and a model of the combination of Buddhist culture and karst landscape.
Fourth Layer of Shihua Cave
The fourth layer is the adventure sightseeing layer, with narrow and deep cave passages. Landscapes such as "Narrow Sky" and "Step by Step" require bending over to pass through. Rare karst formations such as "stone flags" and "stone shields" are well preserved, among which the "stone shield" has a diameter of 2 meters, an important specimen for studying cave development.
Delicacies
Fangshan Grilled Rainbow Trout
Fangshan Grilled Rainbow Trout is a characteristic delicacy around the scenic area. Made from locally farmed rainbow trout, it is grilled over charcoal to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, paired with secret sauce for a delicious taste. Rainbow trout is rich in protein and unsaturated fatty acids. This dish is widely provided by farmhouses around the scenic area, with an average per capita consumption of about 50 yuan.
Fangshan Mopan Persimmon Cake
Mopan Persimmon Cake is made from Fangshan's specialty Mopan persimmons. Picked in autumn, peeled, and sun-dried, the resulting persimmon cake is soft, waxy, and sweet, rich in vitamins and trace elements. It is sold at the scenic area entrance and surrounding shops, priced at about 15-20 yuan per catty, and is a popular souvenir among tourists.
Farmhouse Stewed Free-Range Chicken
Farmhouse Stewed Free-Range Chicken is made from free-range chickens, slow-cooked with wild mushrooms, potatoes, and other ingredients, resulting in a rich soup and tender meat. This dish is a signature dish in farmhouse restaurants around the scenic area, with an average per capita consumption of about 60 yuan. It is recommended to book in advance to ensure fresh ingredients.
Tickets
The ticket price is 70 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "石花洞景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Shihua Cave Scenic Area is open year-round from 8:30 to 16:30 (admission stops at 16:00). During legal holidays and the summer vacation (July 1 to August 31), the opening hours are extended to 17:00, with specific times subject to the scenic area's announcement. In winter (November 15 to March 15 of the following year), the cave interior temperature is about 13°C, so warm clothing is needed.
Tour Route
Recommended tour route: After entering from the scenic area entrance, visit the karst cave landscapes of layers 1-4 in sequence, taking about 2 hours in total. Focus on viewing the "Dragon Palace Hall" and "Jade Pool Stone Lotus" on the first layer; stop at the "Silver Fox" and "King of Stone Flowers" on the second layer; visit the "Stone Forest Wonder" and "Dripping Guanyin" on the third layer; and experience the "Narrow Sky" adventure on the fourth layer. After exiting the cave, you can visit the Buddhist ruins and geological science exhibition hall at the cave entrance, with the overall itinerary recommended to be arranged for 3 hours.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Beijing, via Lianshi West Road → National Highway 108, the whole journey is about 50 kilometers, taking 1.5 hours; or via Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway → Fangshan West Exit → Yandong Road, taking about 1 hour. The scenic area has a parking lot, charging 10 yuan per car per time.
- Public Transport: Take Bus No. 43 in Fangshan District and get off at "Shihua Cave" Station. The departure times are 6:30, 9:30, 13:30, 16:30, and the return last bus is at 17:00.
- Tourist Special Line: The Beijing Tourist Distribution Center (departing from Qianmen) has a one-day tour special line to Shihua Cave, including tickets and round-trip transportation, priced at 120 yuan per person, requiring advance booking one day in advance.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Silver Fox: Located on the second layer, 1.2 meters high, snow-white throughout, with crystal-clear hair-like calcite crystals, a symbolic representative of Chinese cave landscapes.
- King of Stone Flowers: The core landscape of the second layer, 30 centimeters in diameter, composed of acicular calcite crystals, the largest stone flower found in China.
- Dragon Palace Hall: The main hall of the first layer, 17 meters high, with the "Moon Milk Stone" on the top and stone curtains on the side walls forming a "Dragon Palace" scene, suitable for photo-taking.
- Dripping Guanyin: A naturally formed stone pillar landscape on the third layer, about 5 meters high, shaped like Guanyin Bodhisattva, lifelike with lighting effects.
Tour Tips
- The cave floor is slippery; it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and carry a flashlight (some areas have dim lighting).
- The cave has a constant temperature of 13-16°C; wear a thin coat in summer and warm clothes in winter.
- Follow the scenic area guide (guide fee: 30 yuan per group) to deeply understand the formation principles of karst caves and cultural history.
- There are farmhouse restaurants around the scenic area; it is recommended to dine at off-peak hours (12:00-13:30 is the peak period).
- Touching the landscapes and using flash photography are prohibited in the cave to avoid damaging the karst landforms.
Notes
- There are many steps in the cave; the elderly and children need to be accompanied by family members, and it is recommended to carry a walking stick.
- The scenic area has no barrier-free access; wheelchair users can visit the first layer, but other layers are inaccessible.
- During the rainy season (July-August), the mountain roads outside the cave may be slippery, so pay attention to walking safety.
- There are few shops around the scenic area; it is recommended to bring your own drinking water and snacks.
- In case of emergencies, follow the instructions of the scenic area staff and evacuate through the designated emergency channels.