Jizhou Karst Cave Scenic Area is located at the foot of Lingqi Mountain, north of Hongshui Village, Luozhuangzi Town, Jizhou District, Tianjin. It is the only natural large-scale karst cave landscape in Tianjin and a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area is situated in the Yanshan Mountains. The karst cave formed in the Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic strata about 1.8 billion years ago, belonging to a dolomite structural fissure cave. Such dolomite caves with tourism development value are relatively rare in northern China, having extremely high geological research and ornamental value. The scenic area covers an area of about 2,000 mu (about 133.33 hectares). The tourable area inside the cave reaches 12,000 square meters, with a total length of about 1,200 meters. The highest point inside the cave is 40 meters, and the widest point is about 30 meters. Stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars and other landscapes are of various shapes, presenting a spectacular view. The scenic area has complete supporting facilities. In addition to the karst cave landscape, there are also mountain climbing trails, slides, tourist service centers, etc., providing tourists with a variety of visiting experiences.
History and Culture
Jizhou District, where the Jizhou Karst Cave is located, has a long history and is one of the cradles of human civilization in Tianjin. The formation and evolution of the cave itself carry long-standing geological historical information, serving as a natural "archive" of Earth's evolution. According to geological research, over 1.8 billion years of geological changes, the cave has undergone multiple crustal movements and water erosion, gradually forming the current cave landscape. There are also many local folk legends about the cave. It is said that in ancient times, Taoist priests practiced here, and the peculiar landscapes inside the cave were regarded as a symbol of "gathering of spiritual energy", attracting people from surrounding areas to come and pray for blessings. These legends have added a mysterious cultural color to the cave and also reflected the local people's awe and imagination of natural wonders.
Main Attractions
Main Karst Cave Scenic Area
The main karst cave scenic area is the core landscape of Jizhou Karst Cave. The temperature inside the cave is constantly around 18°C all year round, like spring in all seasons. The landscapes inside the cave are composed of stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, stone curtains, etc. After hundreds of millions of years of precipitation, many peculiar shapes such as "stone flowers", "stone grapes" and "stone corals" have been formed. Among them, the "Dragon Palace Hall" landscape is the most spectacular. A 15-meter-high stone pillar stands like a needle stabilizing the sea, surrounded by layers of stone curtains, resembling the scene of a dragon palace in myths. The "Crystal Curtain" is composed of dense stalactites, which are crystal clear under the light, like crystal curtains hanging on the cave wall. There is also a lighting system inside the cave, and lights of different colors shine on the stalactites, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
Kilometer-long Slide
The kilometer-long slide is located on the mountain of the karst cave scenic area, with a total length of about 1,000 meters. It is a convenient passage connecting the cave exit and the foot of the mountain, and also a fun amusement project. The slide is paved with marble, going down the mountain. Tourists take a specially made sliding mat and can control the speed by themselves. During the sliding process, they can not only enjoy the mountain scenery but also experience the excitement of sliding, which is suitable for tourists of all ages.
Mountain Climbing Trail
The mountain climbing trail is about 2,000 meters long, winding through the mountains of Lingqi Mountain. Along the trail, the vegetation is dense and the air is fresh. There are rest pavilions and viewing platforms on both sides of the trail. Tourists can rest at any time during the climbing process and overlook the surrounding rural scenery and mountain features. After reaching the top, they can also look far into Jizhou urban area and the surrounding mountains, with a broad view and pleasant scenery.
Ecological Valley
The Ecological Valley is located near the entrance of the scenic area, a leisure area with the theme of natural ecology, covering an area of about 50 mu (about 3.33 hectares). Various trees, flowers and herbs are planted in the valley, forming a good ecological environment, where birds and small wild animals often appear. There are wooden plank roads, streams, small waterfalls and other landscapes in the valley. Tourists can walk and have picnics here, feeling the tranquility and comfort of nature.
Food
Special Dishes in Scenic Area Restaurants
Restaurants in the scenic area feature local farm dishes, among which "braised pheasant with mushrooms" is deeply loved by tourists. It uses pheasants raised in the mountains around the scenic area, with firm and chewy meat. Paired with local wild mushrooms, it is braised over low heat, with a rich and delicious soup, and is nutritious. Another dish, "fried mountain scorpion", is a local specialty game. It uses artificially bred scorpions, which are processed and then fried with flour. It tastes crispy and is said to have certain tonic effects, being a food choice for the brave.
Surrounding Food
There are many farmyards in Hongshui Village and Luozhuangzi Town around the scenic area, offering authentic Jizhou farm dishes. "Sticky corn cakes with braised small fish" is a classic combination. Sticky corn cakes made of cornmeal batter are pasted on the edge of the pot, and at the bottom of the pot, there are small fish caught from the tributaries of the Jiyun River. The cakes absorb the freshness of the fish, and the small fish are tender and flavorful, with a unique taste. "Braised free-range chicken with vermicelli" uses free-range chickens from farms, paired with locally made vermicelli. After braising, the vermicelli is full of the aroma of chicken soup, and the chicken is tender and delicious, being one of the signature dishes of farmyards. In addition, the surrounding "persimmon vinegar" is also very distinctive. It is fermented from locally abundant persimmons, with a taste that is sour with a hint of sweetness, and can be drunk directly or used as a condiment.
Tickets
The ticket price is 100 yuan per person (for cave visit only). Other items require separate charges. A through ticket can also be purchased for 365 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "天津市蓟州溶洞风景区" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are slightly adjusted according to the season. In spring (March - May) and autumn (September - November), the opening hours are 8:30 - 17:30; in summer (June - August), they are 8:00 - 18:00; in winter (December - February), they are 9:00 - 17:00. The opening hours during holidays are the same as usual. The scenic area may be temporarily closed in case of bad weather. It is recommended to call the scenic area for consultation before traveling.
Tour Route
Recommended One-day Tour Route
Arrive at the scenic area at 9:00 a.m. First, visit the main karst cave scenic area. The cave has rich landscapes, and it is recommended to spend 1.5 - 2 hours visiting to carefully appreciate various stalactite wonders. At around 11:30, take the kilometer-long slide down the mountain from the cave exit to experience the fun of sliding. Have lunch at the scenic area restaurant or surrounding farmyards at noon to taste local farm dishes. Start climbing the mountain along the mountain climbing trail at 13:30 p.m. to enjoy the mountain scenery. After reaching the top, rest and enjoy the view, which takes about 1.5 hours in total. Go to the Ecological Valley at 15:30 to walk and relax, feeling the natural ecology. Finish the visit at around 16:30 and prepare to return.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from the center of Tianjin, drive along Jinji Expressway for about 100 kilometers, get off at Jizhou Station exit, then drive along Jinwei North Second Line towards Luozhuangzi Town, and follow the road signs to reach the scenic area. The parking fee of the scenic area is 5 yuan per car per day.
- Public transportation: Take the bus to Luozhuangzi Town at Jizhou District Passenger Station, get off at Hongshui Village Station, then walk about 1 kilometer to reach the scenic area entrance. The bus departs from 7:30 to 16:30, once an hour, with a fare of 8 yuan per person.
- Tourist special line: Some travel agencies in Tianjin have one-day tour special lines to Jizhou Karst Cave, including round-trip transportation and tickets. Tourists can sign up in advance.
Must-visit Attractions
- Main Karst Cave Scenic Area: In the 12,000-square-meter tourable area inside the cave, there are various stalactite landscapes formed 1.8 billion years ago. Core landscapes such as "Dragon Palace Hall" and "Crystal Curtain" have unique shapes, which are extremely beautiful against the light, being the core highlight of the scenic area.
- Kilometer-long Slide: The 1,000-meter-long marble slide goes down the mountain, which can save time going down the mountain and allow tourists to experience the fun of sliding, being a project with high tourist participation.
- Mountain Climbing Trail: The 2,000-meter-long trail connects the mountain scenery. After reaching the top, you can overlook the whole view, which is suitable for tourists who like hiking and can enjoy natural landscapes completely different from those inside the cave.
Travel Suggestions
- The ground inside the cave is slippery. It is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes and avoid wearing high heels or sandals.
- The temperature inside the cave is constantly 18°C. It is necessary to bring a thin coat when visiting in summer to avoid catching a cold due to large temperature differences.
- It is recommended to visit the cave in the morning, as there are fewer tourists at this time, and the light conditions are good, which is convenient for viewing and taking photos.
- Prepare sun protection before climbing. In summer, you can bring mosquito repellent to avoid mosquito bites.
- Surrounding farmyards provide accommodation. If you have enough time, you can choose to stay in a farmyard for one night to experience the rural night scene and the mountain scenery in the early morning.
Matters Needing Attention
- Smoking and littering are prohibited inside the cave. It is necessary to abide by the environmental protection regulations of the scenic area, take good care of the stalactite landscapes, and refrain from touching or knocking them.
- When taking the kilometer-long slide, follow the guidance of the staff, fasten the safety devices, control the sliding speed, and avoid collisions.
- Some sections of the mountain climbing trail are steep. Pay attention to your footing, and do not deviate from the trail into undeveloped areas without authorization.
- The surrounding area of the scenic area is mountainous, and mobile phone signals may be unstable. It is recommended to agree on the meeting place and time with your companions in advance.
- When tasting local game, choose regular restaurants to ensure the safety of food sources and avoid eating wild animals hunted illegally.