Dragon Palace Cave Scenic Area, also known as Long Gong Scenic Area (龙宫风景区), located in Anshun City adjacent to the Huangguoshu Waterfall, spans a vast area of 60 square kilometers and is divided into four major parts: the Central Area, Whirlpool Pond, Canola Lake, and Xianren Jing. Its main attractions are caves, caverns, and waterfalls, complemented by a variety of karst geological landscapes including canyons, peaks, cliffs, streams, and stone forests. Dragon Palace boasts the longest and most beautiful water caves in China, along with diverse karst formations, earning it praise from visitors as “a great natural wonder.” It stands as one of the premier tourist destinations in Guizhou Province, offering mature reception facilities and showcasing the essence of the region’s landscapes.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Dragon Palace Cave
- Vlog about Dragon Palace Cave
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Attractions near Dragon Palace Cave
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
| Ticket Price | 160 RMB including admission, boat tour, sightseeing bus and insurance |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-400-628-8889 |
Location and Transportation
Dragon Palace Cave is located in the southern outskirts of Anshun City, adjacent to the Huangguoshu Scenic Area. It is approximately 116 kilometers from the provincial capital, Guiyang City, and 27 kilometers from the city center of Anshun. To reach Dragon Palace Cave:
- From Anshun East Station (Passenger Bus Station), visitors can take a special shuttle bus directly to the Dragon Palace Scenic Area. Buses operate from 8:00 to 17:30 during the summer and from 8:30 to 17:00 during the winter, with departures every half an hour.
- From Anshun West Station (High-speed Rail Station), tourists can take a tourist shuttle bus directly to the Dragon Palace Scenic Area. There are three buses available daily, but advance booking is required.
- there are two daily shuttle buses between the Huangguoshu Scenic Area and the Dragon Palace Scenic Area, providing convenient transportation for visitors exploring both attractions.
Highlights of Dragon Palace Cave
Underground River Cave
Known as the “Number One Water Cave in China,” the Underground River Cave stretches an impressive 15 kilometers, making it the longest in the country. While only two sections, totaling 1,240 meters, are open to the public, visitors can marvel at the diverse and captivating formations of stalactites and stalagmites, resembling the palaces of mythical dragon kings. Accessible only by boat, the journey through the cave takes around half an hour, allowing ample time to appreciate the stunning natural wonders. The main section, spanning over 800 meters, showcases the essence of the cave, with its vast array of uniquely shaped formations, sparking the imagination of visitors as they navigate through its mystical chambers.
Guanyin Cave
As the largest cave temple in China, Guanyin Cave spans over 20,000 square meters, with all of its halls naturally formed within the cave. The cave houses 32 artificially carved Buddha statues, with the tallest reaching a height of 12.6 meters. One of the most notable features is a natural stalactite formation resembling Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, blending seamlessly with the man-made statues, creating a harmonious fusion of natural and artificial beauty.
Dragon Gate Flying Waterfall
This majestic waterfall is the largest within any cave in China. With a height exceeding 50 meters and a width of 26 meters, the water cascades down with tremendous force, creating a breathtaking spectacle as it crashes against the rocks. Its grandeur and power evoke a sense of awe, resembling a galloping herd of horses.
Dragon Palace Whirlpool Pond
Covering an area of over ten thousand square meters, the Whirlpool Pond is a circular pool near the Dragon Palace Cave. Remarkably, the water in this pond spins continuously in a clockwise direction, day and night, year after year, without pause. This phenomenon creates a unique and mesmerizing sight for visitors to behold, adding to the mystical allure of the cave.
“Dragon” Character Landscape
Situated in the fields on the left bank of the Tongxuan River, the “Dragon” Character Landscape is a remarkable sight to behold. During spring, rapeseed flowers and broad beans are planted in the area, while in autumn, regular rice and glutinous rice are planted, creating a landscape that forms the shape of the Chinese character “龙” (dragon) spanning over 80,000 square meters. This unique and picturesque landscape adds to the charm of Dragon Palace Cave, showcasing the creative harmony between nature and human intervention.
Vlog about Dragon Palace Cave
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Timing and Transportation:
- Note that the last tour for the sightseeing car inside the park ends at 18:40. Plan your visit accordingly to ensure you have enough time to explore.
- Consider the transportation options to reach Dragon Palace Cave. At the West Station transportation hub near the high-speed railway station exit, you can take a shuttle bus directly to the cave, which takes about 30-40 minutes and costs 15 yuan per person. From the visitor center at the park, you’ll need to transfer to the park’s shuttle bus, which takes about 3.5 kilometers to reach the entrance.
Lunch Options: Outside the Dragon Palace ticket center, there’s a street lined with small shops where you can grab lunch before entering the cave. It’s advisable to fuel up before your exploration to keep your energy levels up.
Peak Season Considerations: During the peak season in July and August, expect longer wait times for boat rides, ranging from 40 minutes to over an hour. Once inside the cave, the time spent exploring the first and second sections typically does not exceed 4 minutes each. If you have ample time and don’t mind waiting in line, you can ride the boats to the first and second sections of the cave multiple times. Opt for seating in the front row of the boat for better scenic views.
Bus Schedule: The shuttle service from Dragon Palace to Huangguoshu Waterfall operates at specific times. During the summer, bus depart at 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00. In the off-season, there are only two departures per day at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
