Niedu Cave Cluster

Niedu Cave Cluster

The Niedu Cave Cluster is located on the southwestern border of Chongyi County, at the junction of Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guangdong provinces. It is 1.5 kilometers from the Niedu market town and 48 kilometers from the county seat. It is a key scenic area in Jiangxi Province. The Niedu Caves were developed with investment from the local government in 1991 and officially opened to the public in 1992. The Niedu marble cave cluster is actually a cluster of white marble caves, formed through hundreds of millions of years of seawater erosion. It is the oldest, most well-developed, and richest in landscape among the three major marble cave clusters in China, and has been praised by renowned cave expert Professor Zhang Jie as the "No. 1 Marble Cave."

There are 28 caves of various sizes scattered throughout the area, deep and mysterious, each with its own unique features. Among the explored ones are Xianhe Rock, Luohan Rock, Lotus Rock, and Stone Forest, with Xianhe Rock and Luohan Rock being particularly remarkable. Inside Xianhe Rock, a pair of lifelike and exquisitely crafted cranes were formed by mineral deposits from stalactites over tens of thousands of years. Currently, the middle level of the cave has been developed, consisting of six grand, magnificent halls covering a total area of over 5,000 square meters. It includes a main cave and branch caves, with a labyrinth of passages stretching approximately 500 meters, or about 1 kilometer in total tour distance. The cave features numerous stalactites, as well as stalagmites, stone pillars, stone flags, and stone vines in diverse shapes. Luohan Rock is filled with bizarrely shaped rocks and an intricate network of passages, with scattered stalagmites and stone pillars. Inside, there are naturally formed statues of the 18 Luohans that are strikingly lifelike, adding to the cave's mysterious depth. In the winter of 1981, ink inscriptions on the cave walls were discovered in Luohan Rock—rare surviving works by Zhu Da (also known as Bada Shanren), the renowned late Ming and early Qing painter. These findings have sparked great interest among experts and scholars both in China and abroad.

Address: Within Niedu Township, Chongyi County, Jiangxi Province

From Ganzhou to Niedu Township: The drive takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Take the highway from Ganzhou, head in the direction of Chenzhou, Hunan, exit at Guantian, then transfer to the Guan-Nie Township Road (a 4.5-meter cement-paved road). Pass through Niedouao, where you can enjoy views of sea of clouds and bamboo forests, and arrive at Niedu.

From the county seat to Niedu Township: Take the highway from Chongyi, head in the direction of Chenzhou, Hunan, and exit at Guantian. Alternatively, take the provincial Ganheng Line to Guantian, then transfer to the Guan-Nie Township Road. The drive takes about 1 hour.

Scenic Area Category: Natural Landscape

Opening Hours: 8:30–12:00, 14:30–18:00

Ticket Information: 35 RMB per person, valid for the day and the visit. Free admission for seniors over 70, active-duty (or disabled) military personnel, retired cadres, and children under 1.2 meters. Discounts are available for minors and group visits by primary and secondary school students.