Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area is located in Xiaoshi Town, Benxi Manchu Autonomous County, Benxi City, Liaoning Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and the largest and longest water-filled karst cave discovered in China so far. It is praised as "With countless wonderful scenes of stalactites and peaks, boats glide on green waters like in a poem or painting; Such beauty should only exist in fairyland, yet there is such a unique cave on earth". The scenic area centers on the water cave and integrates various landscapes such as hot springs, a geological museum, and a silicified wood park, covering a total area of 20.5 square kilometers. The main cave of the water cave is 5,800 meters long, with 2,800 meters developed for sightseeing. The underground river in the cave has an average depth of 1.5 meters, with the deepest point reaching 7 meters, and maintains a constant temperature of around 12°C all year round. It is a comprehensive geological scenic area integrating scientific research, sightseeing, leisure, and vacation. The iconic "Nine-Bend Silver River Cave" in the scenic area winds and twists, with various forms of stalactites shining with lights, forming a unique karst landform wonder, attracting millions of tourists to explore every year.
History and Culture
The formation of Benxi Water Cave can be traced back to the Middle Pleistocene period, about 400,000 years ago. After a long period of geological processes, limestone gradually formed caves under the dissolution of groundwater. The stalactites, stalagmites and other landscapes in the cave grow slowly at a rate of about 0.13 centimeters per century, witnessing the geological changes of the Earth.
The earliest record of the water cave can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty. At that time, the local chronicles already had the name "Xiejiawaizi Cave" (the area where the water cave is located was called Xiejiawaizi in ancient times). However, due to the darkness and depth of the cave, few people explored it in depth. In the 1960s, local villagers accidentally discovered the whole picture of this cave during production activities; in 1983, Benxi Water Cave was officially opened to the public, with only a few hundred meters of the tour section developed initially; in 1994, it was listed as one of the "Top Ten Scenic Spots in China"; in 2005, it became a national AAAAA-level scenic area. As a typical representative of karst landforms in northern China, Benxi Water Cave not only has important geological research value, but its development process also reflects the concept transformation of China's geological tourist attractions from exploration to protection and then to sustainable development. The original geological forms retained in the cave provide precious samples for the study of paleoclimate and paleohydrology.
Main Attractions
Water Cave (Nine-Bend Silver River Cave)
The water cave is the core attraction of Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area, with a total length of 5,800 meters. The developed 2,800-meter tour section is connected by an underground river, and tourists need to take a cruise ship (each ship can carry 6 people) to shuttle through it. The average height of the cave is 10-15 meters, the width is 8-20 meters, and the widest part reaches 50 meters. The underground river has clear water and never freezes all year round. Along the way, you can see various forms of stalactite landscapes such as "Precious Lotus Lamp", "Corn Tower" and "Jade Elephant". Among them, the stalactite group in the "Dragon Palace Hall" area is the most spectacular. The tallest stalagmite is 7 meters high, with a bottom diameter of about 5 meters, like a palace pillar. The lighting in the cave adopts cold light source design, which not only highlights the landscape level but also avoids damage to the stalactites. The cruise ship journey takes about 40 minutes, and there are guides to explain the formation and legends of each landscape throughout the journey.
Dry Cave (Panlong Cave)
The dry cave is connected to the water cave, with a total length of 300 meters. There is no underground river in the cave, mainly featuring dry stalactites and stone curtains. Because fossil remains of ancient vertebrates were found in the cave, it is also called "Fossil Cave". The "Walrus Stone", "Dragon Spine Stone" and other landscapes in the dry cave have unique shapes. Among them, the "Panlong Jade Column" is about 10 meters high, formed by the connection of stalactites on the top and stalagmites at the bottom, which was formed by hundreds of thousands of years of geological deposition. At the end of the dry cave, there is an "Ancient Biological Fossil Exhibition", which displays fossils of mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses and other animals unearthed in the cave, revealing the ecological environment of the Liaodong region in ancient times.
Geological Museum
The Geological Museum is located on the east side of the entrance of the water cave, with a construction area of 3,000 square meters. It is a large-scale geological professional museum in Northeast China. The museum is divided into exhibition areas such as the mysteries of the Earth, the formation of karst caves, mineral crystals, and paleontological evolution. Through physical specimens, models, multimedia demonstrations and other methods, it systematically introduces the formation principle of karst landforms and the geological evolution process of Benxi Water Cave. The "Karst Cave Simulation Area" restores the formation process of the water cave, allowing visitors to intuitively see the dynamic effect of groundwater dissolving rocks; the "Mineral Crystal Exhibition" displays specimens of calcite, crystal and other unique to Liaoning area, some of which weigh hundreds of kilograms, with great ornamental and scientific research value.
Silicified Wood Park
Silicified Wood Park covers an area of 11.6 hectares. It is the largest silicified wood group scenic area in northern China, concentrating on displaying more than 100 silicified woods from 140 million to 190 million years ago (Jurassic period). These trees were originally tall coniferous forests, which were buried by volcanic eruptions and formed fossils through silicification underground, retaining details such as tree rings and bark. The largest silicified wood in the park is 14 meters long, 1.5 meters in diameter, and weighs more than 30 tons, known as the "King of Silicified Wood". The park also has a wood fossil science popularization corridor and a geological section display area, combined with garden landscape design, allowing visitors to understand the formation process of paleontological fossils during the tour.
Hot Spring Temple
Hot Spring Temple is located on the west side of the scenic area, about 5 kilometers away from the water cave. It gets its name because there is a hot spring next to the temple, with a history of nearly a thousand years. The temperature of the hot spring remains at 44°C all year round, rich in fluorine, sulfur and other minerals. It is said that Nurhachi, the Taizu of the Qing Dynasty, once bathed here for treatment. The existing Hot Spring Temple was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty, with a construction area of about 1,200 square meters, consisting of the main hall, side halls, and hot spring pools, with an architectural style integrating Manchu and Han characteristics. There is a hot spring resort in the scenic area, providing hot spring bathing, recuperation and other services. Tourists can experience the hot spring after visiting the water cave to relieve fatigue.
Food
Benxi Xiaoshi Mutton Soup
Benxi Xiaoshi Mutton Soup is the most representative local delicacy. It is made from goats in Xiaoshi Town using traditional techniques. Mutton, lamb bones are simmered together with seasonings such as ginger slices and Sichuan peppercorns for several hours until the soup turns milky white. When served, it is sprinkled with chopped green onions and coriander, and eaten with salt and pepper sesame cakes. The soup is clear, the meat is tender, and it has the effect of dispelling cold and warming the body. There are dozens of restaurants on the "Mutton Soup Street" in the scenic area. Each serving of mutton soup costs about 30-50 yuan (with free refills). It is recommended to pair it with the local spicy cabbage for a better flavor.
Changkuan Pig's Trotters
Changkuan Pig's Trotters is a time-honored food in Benxi, starting in the 1980s. It uses local black pig's trotters, which are dehaired, blanched, and then braised with more than 20 kinds of seasonings such as star anise, cinnamon, and rock sugar. The finished product is bright red in color, with tender meat and skin, fat but not greasy. It gets its name because the ratio of the length to the width of the pig's trotters is moderate. Vacuum-packed Changkuan Pig's Trotters are available in specialty stores around the scenic area, with each one priced at about 25-35 yuan, suitable as a souvenir.
Stir-Fried Wild Vegetables with Meat
Benxi is located in mountainous areas, rich in wild vegetables such as aralia elata, fern, and dandelion. Stir-fried wild vegetables with meat is a representative local farm dish. Fresh wild vegetables are blanched, cut into sections, stir-fried with shredded pork, and seasoned with minced garlic. It has a refreshing taste with the fragrance of wild vegetables. In farm restaurants near Hot Spring Temple, a serving of stir-fried wild vegetables with meat is about 28-38 yuan. It is eaten with corn cakes, reflecting the simple flavor of Northeast farmhouses.
Surrounding Food
There are several restaurants in Xiaoshi Town where the scenic area is located. It is recommended to try "Xiaoshi Renjia" Restaurant, which is about 1 kilometer away from the water cave and specializes in Manchu characteristic dishes. Its signature dishes include braised chicken with mushrooms (using locally raised free-range chickens paired with wild hazel mushrooms, 58 yuan per serving) and stewed pork with offal (42 yuan per serving), etc. The portions are generous and the flavors are authentic. In addition, "Laodi Fang Pie" Shop in the town makes leek and egg pies as well as beef pies (10 yuan per serving, 8 pieces each). The pies have crispy crusts and fresh fillings, making them suitable as a light meal.
Tickets
Joint ticket for the five major attractions: 230 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "本溪水洞景区" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are adjusted according to the season: the peak season is from April 1 to October 31, with opening hours from 8:00 to 17:00 (admission stops at 16:00); the off-season is from November 1 to March 31 of the next year, with opening hours from 9:00 to 16:00 (admission stops at 15:00). Among them, the last cruise ship of the water cave is at 16:30 in peak season and 15:30 in off-season; the closing time of the Geological Museum is 30 minutes earlier than that of the scenic area; Hot Spring Temple is open all day (hot spring bathing is open until 21:00). In winter, some outdoor attractions (such as Silicified Wood Park) may shorten their opening hours due to icy and snowy weather. It is recommended to check the official information before traveling.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route: arrive at the scenic area at 8:30 am, first visit the water cave (about 40 minutes by boat, about 30 minutes to visit the dry cave on foot); go to the Geological Museum at 10:00 to learn about geological knowledge (about 1 hour); go to Silicified Wood Park at 11:00 to watch the silicified wood group (about 1 hour); have lunch at the mutton soup restaurant in the scenic area at 12:00 (about 1 hour); go to Hot Spring Temple at 13:30 to visit the ancient temple and experience the hot spring (about 2 hours, you can adjust whether to take a bath according to time); return to the main entrance of the scenic area at 15:30, and buy souvenirs at the specialty store on the way; end the tour at 16:30. The total walking distance is about 5 kilometers. There are sightseeing buses in the scenic area (10 yuan per person for a one-way trip) to transfer between attractions.
Transportation
- Bus: There is a direct tourist line from Benxi Passenger Transport Center (next to Benxi Station) to the water cave, with one bus every 30 minutes, the journey is about 1 hour, and the fare is 10 yuan; taking a taxi from Benxi Manchu Autonomous County (Xiaoshi Town) to the scenic area is about 5 kilometers, costing 15-20 yuan.
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Shenyang, drive along Shenji Expressway to Benxi Manchu Autonomous County Exit, then drive along County Road 508 for about 8 kilometers, with a total distance of about 180 kilometers, taking 2.5 hours; the parking fee standard of the scenic area parking lot is 10 yuan/time for small cars and 20 yuan/time for large cars, with sufficient parking spaces.
- Tourist line: Travel agencies in Shenyang, Fushun and other cities have opened one-day tour lines to the water cave, including round-trip transportation and tickets, with prices ranging from 220-260 yuan per person. You can sign up at local travel agencies.
- Train: Take the high-speed rail to Benxi Station, then transfer to the above-mentioned tourist line bus; or take an ordinary train to Xiaoshi Station, and then take a taxi for 10 minutes to reach the scenic area.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Water Cave (Nine-Bend Silver River Cave): a 2,800-meter-long water-filled karst cave, where you can take a cruise ship to watch the stalactite wonders, with a constant temperature of 12°C in the cave, which is the core experience of the scenic area.
- Geological Museum: a 3,000-square-meter exhibition hall, systematically displaying karst landforms and paleontological knowledge, suitable for parent-child science popularization.
- Silicified Wood Park: more than 100 Jurassic silicified woods, among which the 14-meter-long "King of Silicified Wood" is a rare geological specimen.
- Hot Spring Temple: a thousand-year-old ancient temple combined with a 44°C hot spring, allowing you to experience the dual charm of history and recuperation.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to spend 1 day for the tour. The best season for visiting is from May to October, with suitable climate; in winter, the cave is warm and there are fewer tourists, so you can avoid the peak, but you need to pay attention to possible ice and snow on the roads around the scenic area.
- The temperature in the water cave is relatively low (about 12°C), so you need to bring a thin coat even in summer; the ground in the cave is humid, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
- Cruise ships are taken in groups, and there may be queues in peak season, so it is recommended to arrive at the scenic area early; the light in the cave is relatively dark, if you need to take photos, you can use the mobile phone flash (strong flashlights are prohibited to avoid affecting other tourists).
- The Geological Museum has free guided tours (departing on the hour), and it is recommended to participate in them to gain an in-depth understanding of the geological knowledge behind the attractions.
- If you plan to experience the hot spring, you can bring your own swimsuit, as the price in the scenic area is relatively high (about 80-150 yuan/set).
Notes
- Smoking and eating are prohibited in the water cave, and you are not allowed to touch the stalactites (touching will affect their growth), and violators will be fined.
- During the cruise ship ride, you need to sit firmly and hold on, and must not stretch your head or hands out of the ship to avoid colliding with the rock walls.
- The fossils in Silicified Wood Park are precious cultural relics. Climbing and carving are prohibited. There are surveillance cameras in the scenic area, and violators will bear legal responsibilities.
- The temperature of the hot spring in Hot Spring Temple is relatively high. The elderly and patients with hypertension and heart disease need to use it with caution. It is recommended to consult medical staff first.
- There is a medical station in the scenic area (located next to the Geological Museum), and you can contact in time in case of emergency.