Huanglong Cave Scenic Area is located in Jundiping Street, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province. As an important part of Wulingyuan, a World Natural Heritage site and World Geopark, it features a typical karst landscape and is among the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions in China. The scenic area consists of three parts: Huanglong Cave (hailed as the "Wonder of World Caves"), an ecological square with the most beautiful pastoral scenery, and the new ethnic music show Misty Rain over Zhangjiajie. The proven total area of Huanglong Cave's bottom reaches 100,000 square meters, with a total length of 7.5 kilometers and a vertical height of 140 meters. It has four floors in total, containing 1 reservoir, 2 rivers, 3 pools, 4 waterfalls, 13 halls, 98 corridors, as well as over a thousand white jade pools and tens of thousands of stalactite peaks. The Huanglong Cave Ecological Square covers an area of 119,200 square meters, including ten scenic areas such as the Huanglong Concert Hall, Pastoral Idyll, and Cultural Corridor. It won the national "Environmental Art Award" in 2008.
History and Culture
Huanglong Cave, also known as Huanglong Spring, has a legend dating back to the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. During a severe drought that lasted a hundred days, the famous sorcerer He Junru led his disciples into the cave to pray for rain, but all of them died in the process. Before his death, Sorcerer He left a saying: "Let the farmland in front of the door dry up; never disturb Huanglong Spring." Since then, Huanglong Cave has become widely known. In 1983, Huanglong Cave was discovered and surveyed by 8 local young militiamen, and officially opened to the public on October 1, 1984. After years of construction and development, it has become the first tourist attraction in Hunan Province to hold the "China Famous Trademark" title and is one of the most internationally renowned and reputable tourist caves in China.
Major Attractions
Dragon Palace
Dragon Palace is the largest and oldest hall in Huanglong Cave, formed over 200,000 years ago. It has an average height of 40 meters and a floor area of 14,000 square meters. Inside, there are more than 1,705 stalagmites and stone pillars. The "Sea-Calming Divine Needle," "Dragon King's Throne," and "Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Cedar" are known as the three wonders of Dragon Palace. The "Sea-Calming Divine Needle" stands 19.2 meters tall, making it the tallest stalagmite in Huanglong Cave and a landmark of the scenic area. It is thick at both ends and thin in the middle, growing on a slope. The "Dragon King's Throne" is 12 meters high with a base diameter of 10 meters, and there is a huge hollow in its middle that can hold 15 adults. The "Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Cedar" is pure white, 17 meters tall, grows at a fast rate, and stands majestically on the slope at the western end of the Dragon Palace Hall.
Xiangshui River
Located on the second floor of Huanglong Cave, Xiangshui River is one of the three underground rivers inside the cave. It has a total length of 2,800 meters, an average water depth of 6 meters, and a maximum depth of 12 meters. Currently, visitors can take a boat tour along an 800-meter section of the river, which takes about 8 minutes. The average water temperature remains around 16°C throughout the year. The river is home to the giant salamander (a national second-class protected animal in China) and the "glass fish" with a completely transparent body.
Sea-Calming Divine Needle
Located in the "Dragon Palace Hall" on the fourth floor of Huanglong Cave, the Sea-Calming Divine Needle is 19.2 meters tall and was formed 200,000 years ago. It is thick at both ends and thin in the middle, growing on a slope, presenting a spectacular sight with its translucent appearance. It is known as the "Treasure of the Cave." In 1998, it was insured for 100 million RMB, setting a precedent for insuring resource-based assets worldwide.
Tianxian Waterfall
Tianxian Waterfall is the largest and highest-dropping hanging waterfall among developed caves in China, with a drop of 27.3 meters. It cascades straight down from the cave's top grotto, splashing water droplets like pearls and jade, creating a magnificent momentum that flows endlessly throughout the four seasons.
Thousand Mound Field
Scientifically known as "flowstone dams" or "sour fields," Thousand Mound Field is formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate as horizontal flowing water moves along the cave floor. There are countless such mounds in Huanglong Cave, crisscrossing like fields.
Tour Route
For the regular route, enter from the entrance, first visit the Dragon Dance Hall, then take a boat on Xiangshui River. After disembarking, visit Tianxian Waterfall and Tianzhu Street, and finally arrive at Dragon Palace. If you have ample time and good physical strength, you can add a visit to the Maze to the regular route.
Tour Suggestions
- Arrive as early as possible (before 9:00 a.m.) to avoid the peak hours of tourist groups.
- The cave interior is slippery and the temperature is around 16°C all year round; it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket.
- Follow the signposts during your visit and do not touch the stalactites.
- Keep your mobile phone and other items safe when taking the boat.
Notes
- The cave interior is dimly lit. When taking photos, you can increase the camera's ISO or use a tripod; flash photography is prohibited to protect the stalactites.
- There are many steps inside the cave. People with mobility issues or elderly visitors should proceed with caution. Children are not recommended to enter the Maze area alone.
- Do not trust "free tour guides" or low-cost chartered cars; purchase tickets through official channels.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Bus Route 3 from the gate of Wulingyuan Scenic Area or the bus station to Huanglong Cave Terminal, then walk for 15 minutes to reach the cave entrance.
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Huanglong Cave Scenic Area"; the parking fee at the scenic area is approximately 10-20 RMB per day.
Opening Hours
Peak season (April-October): 8:00-17:30; Off-season (November-March): 8:30-17:00.
Ticket Information
The ticket price is 118 RMB per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "张家界国家森林公园" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.