Xianqi Cave

Xianqi Cave

Xianqi Cave is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Xianqi Cave is a major attraction of the Beijing Pingshan Mountain Tourism Development Center. With an explored depth of over 6,000 meters, the cave features numerous branches, mysterious underground rivers, and a variety of vividly shaped formations that rival China’s four great karst caves—yet it stands out as unique. What makes it even more distinctive is that when you take a serene boat ride halfway up the mountain, and with the boatman’s vigorous pulling, you glide 500 meters along the waterway into the cave. A gentle breeze blows, creating a truly special experience that lets you appreciate the wonder of this unique landscape.

Xianqi Cave is located in Dongguanshang Village, Zhangfang Town, Fangshan District, Beijing. It is less than 100 kilometers from Beijing’s Third Ring Road. It is the only karst cave in North China accessible via a 500-meter waterway.

In the spring of 1998, a dedicated group from Dongguanshang Village opened the cave to the public. It immediately caused a sensation and was praised as the “Stone Flower Palace,” “Deep Abyss Cave,” “Celestial Dome Cave,” and “Cave of Wonders.” Soon after, a wandering monk from Mount Wutai, who was searching for a place to cultivate enlightenment, visited the cave and exclaimed in awe: “Wonderful, wonderful indeed. There are people above people, and heavens beyond heavens—caves within caves. This is where ‘immortals dwell together.’ We are but humble beings. Amitabha…” Since then, it has been named “Xianqi Cave” (Immortals’ Dwelling Cave) and opened to the public. Data source: Baidu Maps. Final results are subject to Baidu Maps data.

The Dongguanshang area consists of multiple isolated karst cave bodies forming a cave cluster. Such concentration, scale, and diversity of landscapes are truly rare. It can be mentioned in the same breath as China’s famed Four Great Caves: Fujian’s “Shihua Cave,” Guilin’s “Reed Flute Cave,” Hangzhou’s “Yaolin Cave,” and Beijing’s “Qianzhen Cave”—all standing proudly on their own.

The cave formations consist of dolomitic limestone and sandy dolomite, formed in the early Sinian Period 1.6 billion years ago. In other words, 1.6 billion years ago, this area was an ocean, where thick carbonate sediments accumulated on the seabed. Due to crustal uplift and eons of geological change, around 100 million years ago, the mountain-building movement in North China gave rise to the Western Hills of Beijing. Concurrently, tectonic fractures formed, and under the combined influence of ancient climate, geography, and hydrogeological conditions, groundwater along these fracture zones eroded the highly soluble carbonate strata. Over time, through collapse, scouring, and dissolution, a series of underground water channels—varying in diameter and length, some just a few meters and others up to a kilometer—were gradually formed. As the crust uplifted again, the cave emerged from the water, entering a long phase of speleothem formation. Carbonate minerals precipitated from the water and recrystallized inside the cave, adhering to the walls, ceilings, and floors—these are the cave flowers. Xianqi Cave is one such example. The speleothems here began forming 1 million years ago and continue to “grow,” “refine,” and “perfect” themselves to this day.

Classified by cave deposit types, five major sedimentary forms and dozens of shapes have been identified, including stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, columns, towers, waterfalls, mirrors, lotuses, Buddha’s hands, crystal flowers, calcite plates, and stone drums. These formations range from the microscopic to the grandiose, displaying endless imagery—from “farmhouse courtyards” and “miniature Hangzhou landscapes” to “coiling dragon jade pillars,” “plunging stone waterfalls,” “celestial pavilions,” “Xianqi Grand Hall,” “heavens about to collapse,” “divine turtles guarding longevity,” “crocodiles watching over the cave,” “Eight Immortals crossing the sea,” “monks in meditation,” “giant Buddha’s hands,” “tropical rainforests,” “cave canyons,” and “jade lotus flowers.” Notably, “Upstream and Downstream of the Great River” strikingly resembles our mother river—the Yellow River Basin’s landscape. Its origins featuring “glaciers,” “lakes,” “waterfalls,” “canyons,” and “plateaus” are all breathtaking.

Attraction Introduction

The cave maintains a constant temperature of 18°C, making it an excellent summer retreat and an ideal winter destination, adding a new option for winter tourism in North China. Formed 1.6 billion years ago, the cave’s stalactites are generally between 300,000 and 700,000 years old according to experts. In terms of cave deposits, there are five types and dozens of forms, including stalactites, columns, stalagmites, draperies, towers, waterfalls, mirrors, lotuses, drums, crystal flowers, and cover plates. These formations present a myriad of shapes, such as “farmhouse courtyards,” “coiling dragon jade pillars,” “flying stone waterfalls,” “celestial pavilions,” “Xianqi Grand Hall,” “divine turtles with longevity,” “crocodiles guarding the cave,” “Eight Immortals crossing the sea,” “monks in meditation,” and “qin boards,” among dozens of other sights. Especially notable is “Upstream and Downstream of the Great River,” which resembles our mother river. The glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, and canyons at its source are all astounding. By June 1999, the explored depth of Xianqi Cave had exceeded 3,000 meters and still continues. Along the entrance hall, vast chambers stretch deep, with winding underground rivers and colorful stalactite clusters—especially the remarkably peculiar, exquisite, majestic, and delicate stalactite formations. It’s unbelievable that within less than 100 kilometers of Beijing’s Third Ring Road lies such an artistic paradise.

Address: Dongguanshang Village, Zhangfang Town, Fangshan District, Beijing

Type: Cave

Rating: AA

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 hour

Phone: 010-61338226

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:30

Dongguanshang Village: The Dongguanshang Folk Tourism Village is located in the northern mountainous area of Zhangfang Town, about 80 kilometers southwest of Beijing. Surrounded by mountains, the village enjoys fresh air, lush greenery, and a beautiful environment.

The locals are simple and hospitable. Since 1996, the village has developed tourism, now offering attractions such as the Red Leaf Grand Canyon, Xianqi Cave, Dragon Immortal Palace, and Five-Star Grand Canyon—all open to visitors. In autumn, the Red Leaf Grand Canyon and Five-Star Gorge are ablaze with red foliage, creating a stunning sight. The stalactites in Xianqi Cave and Dragon Immortal Palace are wonderfully diverse... Detailed information on Dongguanshang Village ++