Guilin Crown Cave Scenic Area

Guilin Crown Cave Scenic Area

Guilin Crown Cave Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

is an underground karst cave with a thousand years of cultural history. Originally named "Gan Rock" (Sweet Rock) for its fresh spring water, it was later renamed "Crown Cave" due to the mountain’s crown-like shape. As early as 1637 AD, Xu Xiake visited the cave out of admiration, becoming the first explorer to venture into Crown Cave. He documented it in detail in his travelogue *The Travels of Xu Xiake*, where the name “Crown Cave” was first established.

Crown Cave

Known as the world’s premier karst cave, the national 4A-level Guilin Crown Cave Scenic Area is located 29 kilometers south of Guilin City in Caoping Hui Ethnic Township. Situated along the scenic middle section of the Li River, the area boasts unique natural landscapes, pastoral scenery, and local customs. It is the only developed tourism site in the hundred-mile highlight stretch of the Li River, earning the titles “Pearl of the Li River” and “Zero-Distance Li River Scenic Area.” Since development began in 1992 by Guilin Huazhi Guan Tourism Development Co., Ltd., the scenic area has invested nearly 100 million yuan to establish attractions such as the Crown Cave Underground River Tourist Zone, Xiangba Island, electric monorail vehicles, gravity monorail vehicles, electric sightseeing vehicles, Crown Cave Zip Line, Yunwu Mountain Villa, and Crown Cave Restaurant, among other facilities.

Covering an area of over 6,000 acres, Crown Cave forms the core of Guilin’s largest comprehensive tourist resort, centered around the Crown Cave Underground River and integrating sightseeing, conferences, recuperation, dining, lodging, and entertainment. The Crown Cave itself stretches 12 kilometers, featuring a grand and majestic scale with a dazzling array of colorful stalactites. Currently, 3 kilometers of the cave are open to visitors, offering five exploration methods: walking, scenic slide rides, sightseeing elevators, underground trains, and boat rides on the subterranean river—providing a 90-minute tour experience.

Throughout history, Crown Cave Scenic Area has captivated countless poets and scholars with its unique geographical advantages and unparalleled natural beauty, inspiring numerous odes. Historical figures such as Mo Xiufu of the Tang Dynasty, Wang Zhenggong of the Song Dynasty, Cai Wen and Xu Xiake of the Ming Dynasty, and the famed Qing Dynasty poet Zha Shenxing all visited and praised the cave. Guilin Crown Cave Scenic Area is the only location in Guilin where you can experience all four of the region’s world-renowned scenic features—"clear mountains, beautiful waters, magical caves, and exquisite rocks." Hence, it’s hailed as “Guilin’s scenery tops the world, but only Crown Cave combines them all.” In 2000, the Guinness headquarters in Shanghai recognized both the Crown Cave and its electric sightseeing monorail as record-holders. Crown Cave boasts the world’s most diverse range of cave exploration methods, and its electric scenic slide is the longest of its kind globally. Today, Guilin Crown Cave Scenic Area continues to attract streams of domestic and international tourists with its multifaceted charm and premium service, establishing itself as one of Guilin’s premier attractions. It is also listed among the four key scenic areas promoted by Guilin’s municipal government and tourism bureau. The scenic area currently receives nearly 600,000 visitors annually, with numbers growing steadily each year.

“Once you behold its landscape, you can’t bear to leave; once you tour Crown Cave, why think of returning?” Throughout history, Crown Cave Scenic Area has enchanted innumerable poets and scholars with its unique geography, abundant resources, and matchless beauty, inspiring countless verses. Historical figures such as Mo Xiufu of the Tang Dynasty, Wang Zhenggong of the Song Dynasty, Cai Wen and Xu Xiake of the Ming Dynasty, and the famed Qing Dynasty poet Zha Shenxing all visited and praised the cave. A representative poem is Ming Dynasty scholar Cai Wen’s *Seven-Character Quatrain on Crown Cave*: “Deep caverns mirror the water’s glow, / With odd rocks and blooms ‘neath clouds aglow. / A hidden stream flows pure within, / Yet none can say from whence it’s been.” In 1637 AD, the great Chinese geographer, traveler, and explorer Xu Xiake visited Crown Cave three times and left vivid accounts in *The Travels of Xu Xiake*. In modern times, Ho Chi Minh, the father of Vietnam, visited Crown Cave multiple times, praising it as the “foremost immortal cave under heaven.” Renowned anti-Japanese general Li Zongren inscribed the name “Guangyan” (Radiant Rock) at the cave, symbolizing the rejuvenation of China. Locals from Caoping Township also resisted Japanese forces inside the cave. Leaders of the Party and the nation have also visited Crown Cave for inspection and guidance.

Ticket Price: 80 RMB

Opening Hours: 8:00–16:30

Tour Duration: 1.5 hours

Scenic Area Features: The world’s premier karst cave, a national key scenic spot, and a national AAAA-level tourist attraction—Guilin Crown Cave Scenic Area is located 29 kilometers south of Guilin City in Caoping Hui Ethnic Township. Set along the picturesque middle section of the Li River, the area offers distinctive natural landscapes, pastoral views, and local culture, making it the only developed tourist destination in the hundred-mile highlight stretch of the Li River. It’s known as the “Pearl of the Li River,” the “Zero-Distance Li River Scenic Area,” and the place that embodies “Guilin’s scenery tops the world, but only Crown Cave combines them all.” The scenic area includes attractions such as the Crown Cave Underground River Tourist Zone, Xiangba Island, the electric sightseeing slide, electric sightseeing vehicles, and Yunwu Mountain Villa, with total investments reaching hundreds of millions of yuan. Covering more than 6,000 acres, it forms the core of Guilin’s largest integrated resort, combining sightseeing, conferences, recuperation, food, lodging, and entertainment around the Crown Cave Underground River. Both the Crown Cave and its electric sightseeing monorail hold Guinness World Records. Crown Cave offers the world’s most diverse cave exploration experiences, and its electric sightseeing slide is the longest globally.

Scenic Area Slogan: “Clear mountains, beautiful waters, magical caves, and exquisite rocks.” By the Li River lies a place closest to nature—a comprehensive Guilin tourist resort boasting national AAAA-level status and two Guinness World Records. With competing peaks, emotive waters, and idyllic pastoral scenes, it’s a paradise reconnecting you with nature. Explore a mysterious underground river that feels like a dream, poem, or painting. Discover the natural, artistic, and whimsical charm of Xiangba Island. Ride the electric sightseeing slide as you glide freely through the pastoral landscape… What are you waiting for? Come immerse yourself in nature today.

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