Underground Grand Canyon Tourism Area is located in Yishui County, Linyi City, Shandong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a typical karst cave landform scenic area. The scenic area centers on a large cave with a length of 6,100 meters, with a developed tourist length of 3,100 meters and a total area of about 12 square kilometers. It is a rare cave wonder in northern China. The scenic area is characterized by the "majestic, strange, dangerous, secluded, and beautiful" cave landscapes and the underground river rafting project. The widest part of the cave is 30 meters, and the highest part reaches 30 meters. It is distributed with natural landscapes such as "one river, nine springs, nine palaces, and twelve waterfalls", and is known as "the first cave for underground river rafting in China". The scenic area is equipped with facilities such as a tourist service center (with a construction area of about 2,000 square meters), a parking lot, and a catering area to provide convenient services for tourists.
Historical Culture
The history of Yishui County, where the Yishui Underground Grand Canyon is located, can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. It is an important area of ancient Langya culture. The local ancestors left rich prehistoric cultural relics in their interaction with nature. The Yimeng Mountain area around the scenic spot is a famous old revolutionary base area. During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Liberation War, it was an important rear base, and the deeds of military and civilians fighting against the enemy together added a red heritage to the regional culture.
From a geological history perspective, the Underground Grand Canyon was formed in the Cretaceous period, about 65 million to 230 million years ago. The stalactites, stone pillars and other landscapes in the cave were formed after millions of years of precipitation, making it a natural "geological museum" of Earth's evolution. There have been long-standing folk legends about the cave in the local area, such as the myth of "Nine Dragons Palace", which is integrated into the Yimeng folk culture, allowing natural landscapes and humanistic legends to blend with each other.
Main Attractions
Underground Grand Canyon Cave
The Underground Grand Canyon Cave is 6,100 meters long, with 3,100 meters developed. The constant temperature in the cave is 17-18°C, and it remains humid all year round. The cave is rich in landscapes. Attractions such as "Nine Dragons Palace", "Mengshan Yishui", and "Underwater Stone Flowers" have their own characteristics. Stalactites, stone curtains, and stone pillars have different shapes under the light, some like waterfalls and flowing springs, and some like rare birds and exotic animals. Among them, "one river" refers to the underground river running through the cave, and "twelve waterfalls" are many naturally formed waterfall landscapes in the cave, with the maximum drop reaching 5 meters. The sound of water adds a vivid atmosphere to the cave.
Underground River Rafting
Underground river rafting is a landmark project of the scenic area. The rafting river is 1,000 meters long with a drop of more than 30 meters, passing through "nine bends and eighteen turns". It is the longest cave rafting project in China. Tourists take rubber boats downstream, sometimes passing through narrow cave passages, and sometimes moving slowly in open waters. Along the way, they can enjoy landscapes such as "Dragon Palace" and "Galaxy Pouring", experiencing the combination of speed and excitement. The whole journey takes about 40 minutes.
Dark River Exploration Area
The Dark River Exploration Area is located in the incompletely developed section of the cave, about 500 meters long. It requires hiking with headlamps and is a project designed for senior adventure enthusiasts. This area retains the original appearance of the cave, where you can see unmodified stalactite prototypes and the source landscape of the underground river. Along the way, you need to climb low passages to feel the mysterious atmosphere of the original cave. The whole journey is led by professional guides, and the exploration time is about 1.5 hours.
Geological Wonders Exhibition Area
The Geological Wonders Exhibition Area is located near the entrance of the cave, covering an area of about 800 square meters. Through physical specimens, graphic display boards, and multimedia equipment, it shows the formation process of the Underground Grand Canyon, the geological characteristics of karst landforms, and the ecological habits of organisms in the cave. The area is also equipped with a "stalactite growth simulation device", which intuitively presents the slow growth process of stalactites (only 1 centimeter per 100 years), with both popular science and ornamental value.
Canyon Observation Deck
The Canyon Observation Deck is located at the commanding height in the middle section of the cave, about 25 meters above the ground, and is connected to the main tourist route via an overhanging plank road. Covering an area of approximately 20 square meters, the observation deck offers a bird's-eye view of the "U-shaped valley" landscape inside the cave. The underground river forms a backflow here, surrounded by stalactites, making it the best spot for taking panoramic photos of the cave and a resting place for tourists to enjoy the scenery.
Food
Yimeng Bachelor Chicken
Yimeng Bachelor Chicken is a signature dish in farm restaurants around the scenic area. It uses 2-year-old roosters raised in the Yimeng Mountain area, with green peppers, potatoes, star anise and other seasonings, and is slowly stewed in a wood-fired stove for 1.5 hours. The dish is characterized by tight and chewy chicken and rich soup. It is named after its founders, several local single chefs, and represents the "rough yet delicate" style of Yimeng cuisine, with an average consumption of about 60 yuan per person.
Yishui Ta Pancake
Yishui Ta Pancake is a local traditional snack. It uses pancakes made of millet flour or corn flour as the base, spreads fillings such as eggs, leeks, and tofu on the pancakes, folds them, and bakes them on an iron griddle until both sides are golden. The finished product is crispy outside and soft inside, with fresh and fragrant fillings, and is affordable, about 5-8 yuan per serving. It can be tasted at the snack street at the exit of the scenic area, which is a convenient choice for tourists to replenish energy.
Juxian Whole Lamb Soup
Juxian Whole Lamb Soup originates from the neighboring Juxian County and is common in restaurants around the scenic area. It uses local goats, and the mutton and lamb bones are slowly stewed for more than 3 hours. The soup is milky white, and the meat is tender. When eating, it is served with chopped green onions, coriander, and local chili powder. The soup is clear and mellow in taste, about 30 yuan per serving, and is especially warming when eaten in winter.
Mengshan Scorpion
Mengshan Scorpion is a characteristic ingredient in the Yimeng Mountain area. Restaurants around the scenic area mostly fry or soak it in wine. Fried scorpions are crispy outside and tender inside, rich in protein, and are considered to have nourishing effects locally. Each serving is about 50 yuan. It is a local specialty dish suitable for tourists who are brave enough to try new foods.
Tickets
The ticket is 98 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "萤火虫水洞地下大峡谷" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open from 8:00 to 17:30 (April 1 - October 31); from November 1 to March 31 of the next year, it is open from 8:30 to 17:00. The last departure time for the underground river rafting is 1.5 hours before closing, and the last entry time for the dark river exploration area is 2 hours before closing. It is recommended that tourists arrange their itineraries reasonably.
Tour Route
After entering from the entrance of the scenic area, tourists first visit the Geological Wonders Exhibition Area to learn about cave geological knowledge; then enter the Underground Grand Canyon Cave, visit landscapes such as "Nine Dragons Palace" and "Underwater Stone Flowers" along the main route, and pass through the Canyon Viewing Platform to overlook the panoramic view of the cave; then experience the underground river rafting to feel the thrilling cave rafting; after the rafting, they can choose to go to the Dark River Exploration Area (need to make an appointment in advance) or enjoy the remaining landscapes along the exit route. The entire tour takes about 4-5 hours, with a walking distance of about 3 kilometers.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Linyi, take the Changshen Expressway (G25) to Yishui South Exit, then drive north along Provincial Highway 229 for 18 kilometers to reach the destination. The whole journey is about 100 kilometers, and the driving time is 1.5 hours; starting from downtown Jinan, take the Qingyin Expressway (G20) to Changshen Expressway (G25) to Yishui Exit, then drive north along Provincial Highway 229. The whole journey is about 280 kilometers, and the driving time is 3.5 hours.
- Bus: Yishui County Bus Station has a bus to Yaodianzi Town every 30 minutes. Get off at the Underground Grand Canyon Station. The driving time is 40 minutes, the fare is 8 yuan per person, and the last bus departs at 18:00.
- Tourist line: There is a direct tourist line from downtown Linyi to the scenic area every day, departing from Linyi Bus Terminal at 8:00 and returning from the scenic area at 16:30. It includes round-trip fare of 50 yuan per person. Tourists can buy tickets at the bus station ticket window one day in advance.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Underground Grand Canyon Cave: 6,100 meters long (3,100 meters developed), with rich landscapes in the cave. Attractions such as "Nine Dragons Palace" and "Underwater Stone Flowers" show the magic of karst landforms.
- Underground River Rafting: It is 1,000 meters long with a drop of more than 30 meters. As the longest cave rafting in China, it offers a thrilling experience with unique landscapes along the way.
- Geological Wonders Exhibition Area: Intuitively understand the geological knowledge of cave formation, suitable for families with children, with both interesting and popular science nature.
- Canyon Viewing Platform: 25 meters from the ground, can overlook the "U-shaped valley" and dark river landscapes of the cave, and is the best place to take panoramic photos of the cave.
Travel Suggestions
- The ground in the cave is slippery, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. It is recommended to bring a thin coat when entering the cave in summer (the cave has a constant temperature of 17-18°C).
- Underground river rafting may splash water on clothes. It is recommended to put valuables such as mobile phones and cameras in waterproof bags in advance, and you can bring a set of clean clothes in summer.
- The catering price in the scenic area is relatively high. You can bring your own dry food and water. The snack street at the exit of the scenic area is more cost-effective, and a meal can be solved with an average consumption of about 30 yuan per person.
- There are many tourists on weekends and holidays. It is recommended to arrive at the scenic area before 9:00 a.m. to avoid the peak of queuing for the rafting project (usually 10:30-14:00 is the peak period).
- Families with children can give priority to the Geological Wonders Exhibition Area and the main cave route. The Dark River Exploration Area is more difficult and suitable for children over 12 years old.
Notes
- When rafting in the underground river, you must wear a life jacket, hold the handrail of the rubber boat tightly throughout the journey, and are prohibited from standing or leaning out of the boat. Children under 1.2 meters in height must be accompanied by adults.
- Some sections in the cave are narrow. Pay attention to the stalactites on the top and both sides to avoid collision. Follow the principle of "don't look at the scenery while walking, don't walk while looking at the scenery".
- Smoking and littering in the cave are prohibited, and you are not allowed to touch the stalactites (the oil on your hands will affect their growth).
- The Dark River Exploration Area needs to be reserved through the scenic area's official website one day in advance, and you must follow the guide's arrangement and are not allowed to leave the team without permission.
- The signal in the scenic area is weak. It is recommended to agree on the gathering time and place with your companions to avoid getting separated.