Fish Valley Cave

Fish Valley Cave

Fish Valley Cave is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Fish Valley Cave is located in the central part of Yesanpo Scenic Area. It is a scenic area primarily known for its unique springs and extraordinary caves. About 2 kilometers from Zishi Kou Village, on the eastern bank of the Xiaoxi River, there is a spring also known as the "Fish Valley Cave Spring."

The interior of Fish Valley Cave is about 1,800 meters long, divided into five levels, each offering unique and fascinating scenes. The cave features an intricate network of interconnected chambers. Inside, you’ll find remarkable geological formations, including vividly realistic stone flowers, cloud basins, stalactites like goose tubes, and other karst formations. These ancient geological relics and their spectacular landscapes are outstanding natural works bestowed upon humanity. The Fish Valley Cave Scenic Area boasts numerous famous springs, including the Fish Valley Spring, Divine Fish Spring, Divine Cave Spring, and Divine Heaven Spring, among which the Fish Valley Spring is the most renowned.

Fish Valley Cave: The cave stretches approximately 1,800 meters in length, divided into five levels, each offering unique and fascinating scenes. The cave features an intricate network of interconnected chambers.

The Fish Valley Spring has a long history and is widely known as a legendary ancient spring. Its cool and sweet waters are famous for the phenomenon of fish spraying out around the Grain Rain season each year, making it one of the “Eight Great Wonders of Hebei Province.” With a water discharge of 0.42 cubic meters per second, the spring can spout over 2,000 jin (approximately 1,000 kg) of fish at its peak, with individual fish weighing up to six or seven liang (300–350 grams). These fish have black backs and white bellies, delicious meat, and hard bones. Locals call them “Stone Mouth Fish,” though their scientific name is the Scalemouth Barb (Acrossocheilus wenchowensis). During the fish-spouting season, locals come with baskets and crates to catch them. This time becomes especially lively for two reasons: first, the unique sight of fish gushing from the spring, and second, the water’s richness in beneficial minerals, high nutritional value, and complete absence of pollution. 1. The Unique Fish-Spouting Phenomenon: The Fish Valley Spring is crystal clear and flows continuously at an average rate of 0.42 m³/s. It is famed for the fish that emerge from its mouth around the Grain Rain Festival, typically in the evening over a period of 8–10 days. These fish, scientifically named the Scalemouth Barb and commonly called “Stone Mouth Fish,” weigh about 350 grams each, have black backs and white bellies, and are delicious. Locals often use baskets to catch them at the spring mouth, harvesting over 1,000 kg annually. This spectacle is considered one of the great wonders of Yesanpo and is recognized as one of China’s Eight Great Wonders. About 200 meters up the mountain from the cave, there is a pool inside another cave where small fish often swim. During the rainy season, the normally calm, green water turns into a roaring “dragon,” bursting out of the cave and creating the spectacular sight of a “White Dragon Emerging from the Cave.” 2. Rich Mineral Content: Due to the lack of industrial pollution and urban noise in the Yesanpo Scenic Area, the environmental quality of the air and water is exceptionally high. According to monitoring data from the Zijinguan and Zhangfang stations, toxic substances such as phenols, arsenic, cyanide, and sulfides in the Juma River section of the scenic area are all below standard levels. The pH value ranges from 7.6 to 8.0. Hydrological records indicate that the water is colorless, odorless, transparent, with a total hardness of 9.55, meeting national drinking water Class I standards. The mineral water from Fish Valley Cave is cool, sweet, pleasant-tasting, clean, sterile, moderately warm, with stable flow and minimal harmful elements. Laboratory analysis confirms it meets all health standards, with all 14 trace elements within safe limits and compliant with national drinking water standards. With a total hardness of 171 mg/L, calcium content of 59.3 ppm, it is beneficial for reducing heart disease risks. It contains selenium, which helps prevent heart disease and inhibits cancer cell growth, as well as zinc, which aids in the recovery from chronic illnesses. It also contains sodium. Compared to mineral waters both domestically and internationally, its quality is considered very high.

2 Pricing Information – Fish Valley Cave Ticket: 65 RMB per person; 35 RMB per person for seniors (with senior ID), students (with student ID), and active military personnel; free for children under 1.2 meters and seniors over 70 years old.

Scenic Area Mini Train Ticket: 5 RMB round trip per person (the mini train connects Fish Valley Cave to Fish Valley Spring, covering a round-trip distance of 1,000 meters)

Fish Valley Cave Grass Sledding: 15 RMB per person per ride (maximum speed 60 mph, track length 200 meters)

3 Precautions – (1) The temperature inside Fish Valley Cave is constant at 11–13°C; please dress warmly.

(2) After grass sledding, you can ride the scenic area mini train for free with your sledding ticket.

(3) Transportation to the scenic area is limited. If you’re not driving, consider renting a car to get to Fish Valley Cave.