Xing'an Century Glacier Spirit Buddha Cave

Xing'an Century Glacier Spirit Buddha Cave

The Century Glacier Spirit Buddha Cave, also known as Spirit Buddha Cave or Century Glacier Grand Karst Cave, is located on the Shuzipu section of the Guihuang First-Class Highway in Yanguan Town, Xing'an County. It lies 50 kilometers (a one-hour drive) south of downtown Guilin and just 4 kilometers north of Xing'an County town (a six-minute drive from Happy Valley), covering an area of 300 acres. It combines geological exploration, cave adventures, underground river drifting, glacier science education, pastoral scenery, forest camping, hot spring therapy, oracle bone art displays, stele forest exhibitions, folk custom appreciation, and agritainment tourism.

The Century Glacier “Spirit Buddha Cave” is renowned for its marvelous caves, stunning rocks, and breathtaking landscapes, earning the reputation of “the world’s premier water cave and a spectacular natural wonder.” In addition, it features distinctive attractions such as China’s first oracle bone art exhibition, cave culture exploration, and an international stele forest display. Due to tectonic movements hundreds of millions of years ago, the area developed typical karst landforms. In recent years, through human effort and ingenuity, these naturally formed wonders have been developed for public enjoyment. The Spirit Buddha Cave is divided into upper and lower levels: the upper level offers a land-based tour route, while the lower level features an underground river. The land attractions include over ten scenic spots such as “Undersea Dragon Palace,” “Glacier World,” “Tianshan Snow Lotus,” “Milky Way in the Sky,” “High Mountains and Flowing Water,” “Thousand-Year Ginkgo,” “Chinese Zodiac,” and “Maitreya Manifestation.” Cruising along the winding underground river feels like journeying through the Earth’s core. One moment you’re listening to the dripping sounds from the cave walls, the next you’re touching cool rock surfaces, dipping your hands into the underground river, singing out loud, or admiring the stunning rock formations. According to geologists in Guilin, the underground river of the Century Glacier Spirit Buddha Cave, historically referred to as a “subterranean stream,” flows through more than ten stone peaks in Guanshan Village Committee of Xing'an Town before entering the Lingqu Canal (locally called “Ling River”) near the ancient Yanguan Pass, stretching approximately 4 kilometers in total. Due to geological changes over millennia, tectonic uplift and fractures have caused parts of this underground river to alternate between light and dark sections. As a result, it serves as a tributary of the Lingqu Canal, with the Spirit Buddha Cave being just one segment of this subterranean branch.

The underground river twists and turns, with the entire round-trip journey spanning about 1,500 meters. Its serpentine course is deep and tranquil, featuring sections that resemble rivers, lakes, and even waterfalls. Stalactites hang low inside the cave, requiring visitors—under the guidance of their guide—to duck, lie back, or even brace themselves against the walls at times. The narrowest parts of the river allow passage for only one boat, while the wider sections plunge into pitch darkness, seemingly stretching endlessly amid hazy white mist. The cave walls are richly adorned with stalactites, offering stunning views around every corner—approximately 20 natural and cultural attractions in total, including “Maitreya Manifestation,” “Pearl of Auspiciousness,” “Spirit Turtle Meditating,” “Beauty at Her Dressing Table,” “Kunpeng Spreading Wings,” and “Underground Amazon Jungle.” Under the glow of lights, the cave’s scenery is ever-changing, awe-inspiring, and mesmerizing. Visitors can look up to admire the beauty above or gaze down to interact with the clear waters below, creating the sensation of traveling through an underground realm or exploring a vibrant underwater dragon palace—an experience that leaves everyone in sheer amazement. What a marvel of nature’s craftsmanship this underground river is! The Spirit Buddha Cave remains cool in summer and warm in winter, with fresh air and crystal-clear waters. Gliding along the underground river in an electric boat, a refreshing breeze greets you, instantly dissipating the sweltering heat outside. This underground river is truly nature’s air conditioner. According to villagers who work in the cave, the water is 2–3 meters deep and home to many wild species such as catfish, carp, and tilapia. During the Anti-Japanese War, local residents sought refuge here. Hence, the underground river is also known as a “river of salvation.” Combining karst science exploration with underground river adventure, the Spirit Buddha Cave attracts tourists from across China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and abroad, including visitors from Japan, the United States, and other countries.

Drifting along this timeless river, we explore the infinite mysteries of nature while feeling the pulse of Mother Earth. The entire experience weaves together the mystical, the wondrous, the serene, the thrilling, the challenging, and the joyful—offering an unforgettable journey through time and space.

Address: Shuzipu Section, Guihuang First-Class Highway, Yanguan Town, Xing'an County, Guilin City

Transportation: Take a bus from Guilin to Xing'an County, then transfer to a minibus to the scenic area

Type: Cave

Recommended visit duration: 1 hour

Opening hours:

8:30-17:00

Ticket information:

Gate price: 50.0 RMB