Dragon Palace Cave

• Region: Guizhou
• Region type: Province
• City: Not yet specified
• Destination type: Not yet specified

Dragon Palace Cave, known in Chinese as Longgong, is the centerpiece of the Longgong Scenic Area, about 28 kilometers southwest of Anshun city in central Guizhou. It is a vast karst cave-and-water system of more than 90 caves linked by underground rivers and surface lakes, spread across a scenic zone covering roughly 60 square kilometers. The signature experience is a boat ride along a partly underground river into the illuminated main cave chamber, where stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and rock curtains built up over hundreds of thousands of years line the passage, before visitors continue on foot through further chambers to emerge near additional waterfalls and pools. Longgong is often paired with nearby Huangguoshu Waterfall as the Anshun area's two flagship natural attractions.

Dragon Palace Cave sits about 28 kilometers southwest of Anshun city in central Guizhou Province, within the broader Longgong Scenic Area, an expanse of karst hills, lakes, and caves covering roughly 60 square kilometers. It lies within the same general region as Huangguoshu Waterfall, making the two attractions a natural pairing for visitors based in Anshun.

The Longgong area shares Guizhou's mild, humid subtropical highland climate, with warm, occasionally rainy summers and cool, misty winters that rarely see hard frost. Inside the cave itself, temperatures remain relatively stable and cool year-round regardless of the season outside, so a light layer is often welcome even in summer.

Late spring through autumn, roughly April to October, is generally the most popular period, when the surrounding lakes and waterways are fuller and the karst landscape above ground is at its greenest, though the cave interior remains comfortable to visit at any time of year. Visiting on weekdays or outside major national holidays helps avoid the largest crowds on the boat queues.

Dragon Palace Cave was formed over hundreds of thousands of years as groundwater dissolved the region's thick limestone bedrock, carving the extensive network of chambers, underground rivers, and connecting passages that make up the Longgong system today. The cave and surrounding karst landscape were developed for tourism in the latter twentieth century, and Longgong has since become established as one of Guizhou's premier natural attractions alongside nearby Huangguoshu Waterfall.

Longgong is regarded as one of China's finest examples of karst cave scenery and is a significant point of provincial pride for Guizhou, whose limestone plateau geography has produced an unusually dense concentration of caves, waterfalls, and gorges. The cave's name, meaning Dragon Palace, reflects folk associations between dragons and water in Chinese culture, and the site is frequently featured in promotional material showcasing Guizhou's natural heritage.

Take the boat ride through the partly underground river into the main illuminated cave chamber, walk through the connecting chambers on foot to view stalactite and stalagmite formations up close, and explore the broader Longgong Scenic Area on land, which includes smaller caves, karst peaks, and waterfalls beyond the main cave itself.

Highlights include the vividly lit main cave chamber with its large stalactite, stalagmite, and flowstone formations, the underground river itself, several of the more than 90 connected caves within the wider system, and the karst lakes and hills of the surrounding scenic area. Cliffside pavilions and smaller waterfalls near the exit add further scenery beyond the cave.

Dragon Palace Cave is most easily reached by taxi, hired car, or organized tour from Anshun city, a drive of roughly 30 to 45 minutes, and is commonly combined with a visit to Huangguoshu Waterfall on the same day given their proximity within the Anshun area. Public buses to the scenic area also run from Anshun, though on a less frequent schedule.

The Longgong Scenic Area typically opens from around 8:00 in the morning and closes in the late afternoon or early evening, though exact hours can shift seasonally and the boat ride portion may have its own operating window within the day, so confirming current timings with the scenic area before visiting is recommended.

Dragon Palace Cave charges a general admission fee for entry into the scenic area, with the boat ride through the cave typically included in or added to the main ticket price; prices are generally moderate for a major Guizhou attraction but change periodically, so checking official current pricing before your visit is advisable.

A visit to Dragon Palace Cave, including the boat ride and a walk through the connecting chambers and surrounding scenic area, generally takes two to three hours, making it easy to combine with a visit to Huangguoshu Waterfall in the same day. Allow extra time on busy holidays when boat queues can stretch considerably longer.

Most visitors stay in Anshun city, roughly 30 to 45 minutes away, where a full range of hotels from international chains to budget guesthouses is available; some smaller inns can also be found closer to the scenic area entrance for travelers who prefer to stay nearer the cave itself. Anshun's broader selection makes it the more convenient base for most itineraries.

Simple restaurants and food stalls near the Longgong Scenic Area entrance offer local Guizhou dishes and quick meals, while a wider selection of dining, including regional specialties and international options, is available back in Anshun city. Many visitors save a proper sit-down meal for after returning to Anshun in the evening.

Huangguoshu Waterfall, China's largest waterfall, lies within the same general area and is the most common pairing for a Longgong visit, while Tianlong Tunpu Ancient Town and Yelang Valley are also reachable as additional day trips from Anshun. Anshun's own old town and batik workshops round out a well-balanced multi-day itinerary.

Anshun city, with its high-speed rail station and bus connections to Guiyang, serves as the main transport gateway to Dragon Palace Cave, with taxis, hired cars, and tour buses providing the final leg to the scenic area itself. Ride-hailing apps are a convenient option for the return trip after your visit.

Cave floors and boat docking areas can be damp and slippery, so sturdy, non-slip footwear is important, and visitors should follow posted safety guidance during the boat portion of the tour, including wearing any provided life jackets and staying seated as instructed. Keep a firm grip on handrails in the dimmer sections of the walking route.

Bring a light jacket or layer for the cool, stable temperature inside the cave, non-slip shoes for wet surfaces, and a camera, though be prepared for challenging low-light conditions when photographing the illuminated formations. A small towel is handy in case of drips or spray during the boat portion of the tour.

Combine Dragon Palace Cave with Huangguoshu Waterfall in a single day trip from Anshun to make efficient use of travel time, and try to arrive earlier in the day to avoid the longest queues for the boat ride, especially during peak holiday periods. Consider visiting the cave first and the waterfall in the afternoon light.

For emergencies at Dragon Palace Cave or anywhere in mainland China, dial 110 for police, 120 for ambulance, and 119 for fire services, with the national tourism hotline 12301 available for tourism-related assistance. Hong Kong and Macau use a separate emergency number, 999. Scenic area staff stationed near the boat dock and main entrance can also assist quickly.

For current ticket prices, operating hours, and boat ride scheduling, check the official Longgong Scenic Area or Anshun municipal tourism authority channels before finalizing your visit. The Guizhou provincial tourism portal is also a useful reference for planning a wider trip around the province.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.