Reed Flute Cave

芦笛岩

Guilin's most famous karst cave, the “Palace of Natural Art”, with stalactites under colored lights and reflections in an underground lake. It has welcomed many foreign heads of state.

Reed Flute Cave lies on the south side of Guangming Hill, about 5 km northwest of downtown Guilin. It is named after the reed grass growing at the cave entrance, which can be made into flutes. It is a limestone cave that formed 600,000 years ago. The tour route is about 500 meters long in a U shape. The cave has more than 30 sights, including Lion Ridge Morning Glow, Red Brocade Canopy, Crystal Palace, Primeval Forest and Fruit and Flower Mountain. The stalactites, stalagmites, columns and curtain formations look stunning under colored lights, and the cave is known as the “Palace of Natural Art”. Since it opened in 1962 it has welcomed many domestic and foreign leaders, including Deng Xiaoping, Nixon and Clinton. The most spectacular chamber is the Crystal Palace, 18 meters high and 93 meters wide. Its underground lake is calm as a mirror and reflects the stalactites on the cave ceiling, making it a classic photo spot. Light projection shows have recently been added inside the cave. Admission costs about 90 yuan. Guides lead visitors in groups, and the tour takes about 40 to 60 minutes. After leaving the cave, you can stroll around Fanglian Pond and along the banks of the Taohua River. Getting there: from downtown take bus 3 or 213 to the “Reed Flute Cave” stop, or take a taxi, about 20 minutes. Plan to visit on the same day as Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Trunk Hill. Notes: The cave is slippery, so wear non-slip shoes and bring a thin jacket. Space inside is limited, so expect to wait to enter in peak season. The lights change often, so use the night mode or high ISO on your phone. Touching the stalactites is forbidden.

Reed Flute Cave

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