Tenglong Cave (腾龙洞), located in Lichuan, Enshi, is the largest explored cave in China and ranks seventh among the world’s longest known caves, earning its status as one of the world’s exceptional caves. Currently, approximately 6 kilometers of the cave are accessible for exploration. The cave comprises distinct areas such as the Water Cave, Dry Cave, Catfish Cave, Cool Breeze Cave, Exclusive Stockade, and three Dragon Gates, along with the Hua Xian Pit.
Inside the cave, over 1000 varieties of stalactites create a diverse and mystifying landscape, showcasing an array of captivating formations. The cave’s exterior is characterized by picturesque mountains, clear waters, and scenic beauty, providing a tranquil and enchanting backdrop.
Tenglong Cave extends from the southwest at its entrance, connecting with the Mingyan Canyon Scenic Area, to the northwest at the Hei Dong Cave entrance, linking with the Xuezhao River Canyon Scenic Area. Overall, it stretches in a narrow and elongated fashion along the valley of the Qing River, with elevations exceeding 1000 meters.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Map of Tenglong Cave
- Highlights of Tenglong Cave
- Vlog about Tenglong Cave
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Attractions near Tenglong Cave
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
| Ticket Price | Admission: 150 RMB Admission + Shuttle Bus: 172 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 17.00; Last admission: 15.50 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0718-7262455 |
Location and Transportation
Tenglong Cave is situated on the outskirts of Lichuan City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province, China. It is approximately 6.8 kilometers from the city center of Lichuan. Positioned at the convergence of the Daba Mountains and the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Tenglong Cave is nestled in the vicinity of the Clear River’s source.
To reach Tenglong Cave, you can take a train from various cities such as Wuhan, Xiangyang, Yichang, Chengdu, Chongqing, or Wanzhou to Lichuan Railway Station. From Lichuan Railway Station, you can hop on a dedicated shuttle bus to conveniently arrive at the Tenglong Cave Visitor Center (4 kilometers away).
Map of Tenglong Cave
Highlights of Tenglong Cave
Enormous Cavern
Tenglong Cave, a colossal natural wonder, boasts an entrance that stands at an impressive 72 meters in height and 64 meters in width. The cavern’s interior reaches a maximum height of 235 meters, with a length of 52.8 kilometers and a total area exceeding 2 million square meters. This expansive cave system includes five peaks, ten grand halls, over ten underground waterfalls, and a unique connection of water and dry caves. The main and subsidiary caves interconnect seamlessly, ensuring a safe environment free from toxic gases, snakes, and scorpions. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 14-18℃ throughout the year, providing a refreshing and pollution-free atmosphere. Tenglong Cave emerges as an ideal destination for tourism, recuperation, and geological exploration.
Theatrical Extravaganza
Capitalizing on the cavern’s grandeur, the Tenglong Cave has transformed into a captivating amphitheater. A natural cave theater, crafted with a staggering investment of 50 million, accommodates 2000 seats within its authentic setting. This theater is adorned with moving platforms, elevated walkways, waterborne dragon boats, elevating stages, and state-of-the-art digital lighting, creating a fusion of nature and culture, antiquity and modernity. It serves as a unique venue to witness large-scale performances, offering an unprecedented life experience for every visitor. Rooted in the rich cultural background of the Tujia ethnic group, the grand theatrical production, “Yishui Lichuan,” directed by a top-tier domestic director, narrates the ancient legend of the Tujia ancestors, local customs such as wedding ceremonies and the resonating beat of the drum tower, and immerses the audience in the authentic tapestry of Tujia life.
Breathtaking Waterfalls
Approaching Tenglong Cave, the first sensory encounter is the thunderous roar of cascading waterfalls. Even one kilometer away from the cave entrance, a majestic and resounding roar captures the ears. The Qing River flows into the water cave entrance of Tenglong Cave, plunging more than 40 meters with a spectacular display of rushing water, foaming waves, misty sprays resembling shattered jade, and a deafening sound that echoes through the depths, rivaling the grandeur of the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River.
Vlog about Tenglong Cave
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Beware of the Magic Carpet: The “magic carpet” ride may seem like a convenient option to traverse the cave, but it’s not worth the time or money. It extends what would normally be a few minutes’ walk into a 15-20 minute journey, and the slow pace can be frustrating. Consider skipping this option to save time and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Dress Appropriately: The cave maintains a cool temperature year-round, typically around ten degrees Celsius. In the summer, bring a light jacket or sweater, while in the winter, dress in layers but avoid heavy clothing as it may become uncomfortable inside the cave.
Electric Cart Option: Opting for the electric cart from the front to the back of the cave can be a convenient and energy-saving choice. However, don’t expect much in terms of scenic views during this ride. The round trip typically costs around 10 yuan.
Traditional Performance: The “Dragon Boat Tune” performance in the front section of the cave is worth watching as it showcases the essence of traditional Tujia culture. Be mindful of the performance schedule to ensure you don’t miss it.
Hot Air Balloon at the Cave Entrance: While the hot air balloon ride at the cave entrance may seem appealing, it’s quite brief (2 minutes) and lacks a substantial experience. Consider skipping it unless you’re solely interested in snapping a quick photo.
Visitor Center Services: The visitor center provides locker facilities where you can store your belongings securely during your visit.
Wear Flat Shoes: Inside the cave, the terrain may be uneven and dimly lit. It’s advisable to wear comfortable, flat shoes and pay attention to the path ahead to avoid tripping or stumbling.
Light Show Inside the Cave: The light show inside the cave, depicting the story of Tujia maidens and majestic dragons, may not meet everyone’s expectations. Some visitors find it to be a peculiar mix of religious drama and childish animation, and the bright lights can be overwhelming for some.
Take the high-speed train to Lichuan Station, then take a taxi from the station to the entrance of the scenic area, which costs about 20 yuan. You can save the driver’s contact number and call them when you’re ready to return to see if they can pick you up. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus from the high-speed train station to the tourist center, and then purchase a round-trip bus ticket to the scenic area for 22 yuan. Route:… Read more »
A complete walk plus taking photos takes about 2 hours (I did it from 12:55 to 14:45).
If you have plenty of time, avoid taking the electric cart; otherwise, you might find the wait time before the performance quite boring.
Performance times:
10:10
11:20
16:00
There isn’t much worth seeing inside the cave, and the path leading to it is dirty, a mix of water and mud. The only advantage of this cave is its size, which you can notice right at the entrance. If you really want to go inside and take a look, it’s best to buy a battery car ticket for 10 yuan round trip, which is quite reasonable. Otherwise, you would have to walk quite a distance with not much to… Read more »
We spent the whole day there and even watched a song and dance show at four o’clock. It was definitely worth it. The place is very friendly for children, and if you get tired from walking, there are shuttle buses available.
No one can come out of the cave gracefully [facepalm][facepalm]. Everyone’s shoes and pant hems are covered in mud, and even taking the battery car couldn’t save us.
Tenglong Cave is very cool, really cool. It’s advisable to wear two more layers as it kept dripping water, even our hair got wet. The best part is the final performance, the younger sister performer is really beautiful.
Yesterday it rained, but it is saide the Tenglong Cave looked especially beautiful on a rainy day, so we decided to visit! The Tenglong Waterfall at the entrance had very swift water, and the hot air balloons were also impressive. However, once we entered the cave, things took a strange turn. Instead of the adventurous cave exploration we had expected, we were greeted by numerous small vendors selling their goods… The cave itself is impressive, but the commercial development inside… Read more »
When going to Tenglong Cave, remember to bring a thick jacket as it can be quite cool inside. It’s basically visiting the back end of the cave, and a battery-powered car takes you directly there. The map shows a mid-way stop, but it’s no longer there (confirmed with staff). Don’t bother buying the magic carpet, as it doesn’t save much energy. The view before entering the cave is nice, and some parts inside are decently lit, but many areas are… Read more »
Show times:
❗️Laser show: 9:30/10:30/11:10/13:00/14:30/15:40
❗️Tujia song and dance: 10:30/12:00/14:00/16:30
Most importantly, ❗️❗️❗️ remember to bring a jacket, wear long pants, as the temperature inside Tenglong Cave ranges from 12°C to 18°C.
The overall experience is that the cave is very large, making people feel small, and the scenery is average. However, the performances are good. If you don’t want to visit tiring attractions like Enshi Grand Canyon, it’s still worth experiencing.
Transportation: 1. Getting to Lichuan: 1) Taking the train (recommended): Enshi Railway Station to Lichuan Station, Second class seat for 17 yuan, 30 minutes journey, easy to buy tickets; Taxi from Tenglong Cave to Lichuan Passenger Station costs 15 yuan for a 7km ride; The latest train from Lichuan to Enshi is at 7:22 PM, so if you are exploring in the afternoon, pay attention to catching the last train back to Enshi; 2) Taking the bus: Enshi Passenger Center… Read more »