Furong Cave
Furong Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of China’s largest and most spectacular karst caves, renowned for its otherworldly limestone formations, subterranean rivers, and ancient geological history. Spanning 3.7 kilometers with a vertical depth of 242 meters, the cave features over 300,000 calcite deposits shaped into delicate curtains, towering pagodas, and shimmering “coral forests.” Discovered in 1993, it has since become a flagship attraction of the Wulong Karst landscape, offering a mesmerizing journey through Earth’s underground wonders.
Historical Overview
The cave formed over 1.2 million years ago through the dissolution of ancient limestone by underground rivers. Local Tujia people revered it as the “Palace of the Underworld,” but systematic exploration began only in 1994. Key milestones include the 2001 discovery of a 200,000-year-old animal fossil bed, the 2007 UNESCO inscription alongside the Wulong Three Natural Bridges, and the 2019 installation of China’s first cave-based laser light show.
Structural Layout
The cave is divided into three sections:Golden Hall: A 12,000-square-meter chamber featuring the “Coral Kingdom” and the 30-meter-tall “Stone Flower Pillar.”
Dragon Palace: Home to the “Jade Emperor’s Throne” and the “Dragon’s Blood River” with its crimson-hued water.
Heavenly Palace: The deepest section, housing the “Snowy Mountain” and the “Mirror Pool” reflecting 10,000 stalactites.
Key formations include the “Life Genesis” fossil wall and the “Kings’ Assembly” cluster of 54 stone pillars.
Major Attractions
Stone Flower Pillar: A 30-meter-tall column of intertwined calcite crystals, dubbed the “Cave Pearl.”
Coral Kingdom: A 2,000-square-meter field of aragonite clusters resembling underwater coral.
Jade Emperor’s Throne: A 15-meter-wide selenite formation emitting a silvery glow.
Dragon’s Blood River: A 500-meter-long underground stream colored red by iron oxide.
Life Genesis Wall: A fossil-rich layer documenting 200,000 years of prehistoric life.
Mirror Pool: A still underground lake reflecting 10,000 stalactites like a celestial map.
Suggested Itineraries
Classic Route (1.5 hrs): Entrance → Golden Hall → Dragon Palace → Mirror Pool.
Extended Route (3 hrs): Life Genesis Wall → Coral Kingdom → Jade Emperor’s Throne → Heavenly Palace.
Adventure Tour (4.5 hrs): Combine routes 1–2 with a 3 PM guided kayak trip on Dragon’s Blood River.
Ticket Purchase
Online: Book via official site (furongcave.com) or Ctrip (up to 7 days in advance).
On-Site: Purchase at the Visitor Center (queues peak 10–11:30 AM).
- Prices:
Peak Season (April–October): ¥150 (adults), ¥75 (students/seniors).
Off-Season (November–March): ¥90 (adults), ¥45 (students/seniors).
Free: Children under 1.2m, disabled visitors.
Transportation
Bus: Chongqing Longtousi Station → Wulong Bus Terminal (2.5 hrs, ¥60) → Shuttle Bus to cave (¥20).
Taxi: Direct from Chongqing to Visitor Center (3 hrs, ¥500–¥700; negotiate fare upfront).
Self-Drive: G65 Baotou-Maoming Expressway → Wulong Exit (3 hrs; parking ¥20/day).
Best Time & Tips
Avoid Crowds: Visit Monday–Thursday (weekends host 60% more tourists).
Weather: Summer (June–August) for cool cave temperatures; winter (December–February) for fewer crowds.
- Essentials:
Wear non-slip shoes (wet floors in some areas).
Bring a light jacket (15°C year-round inside).
Photography allowed (flash prohibited to protect formations).
Prohibited: Touching formations, smoking, and unauthorized cave exploration.
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What Our Clients Say?
Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s):
Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s):
Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
June 02,2025
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
