The Magical Palace of the Yellow Dragon
Millions of years ago, Earth was inhabited by giant dinosaurs and enormous insects. During this time, the ancient karst system began to form in Hunan Province, in the eastern part of the Wulingyuan area. This geological wonder is known as Huanglong Cave ⛰️
Huanglong (translated from Chinese: 'huang' means yellow, 'long' means dragon) 🐉
According to legend, the sacred site is home to the Yellow Dragon and nature spirits, and making noise here is strictly forbidden. You are a guest.
The Yellow Dragon Cave is one of the oldest in its region and feels like a living fairy tale straight out of the works of Ursula Le Guin, J.R.R. Tolkien, or George R.R. Martin.
This four-level cave spans an impressive area of over 100,000 square meters, with some sections reaching heights of 140 meters.
Inside, you'll find massive halls, underground rivers, lakes, waterfalls, galleries, and a plethora of stalactites and stalagmites.
The cave features six themed zones: Dragon Dance Hall, Echo River, Heavenly Waterfall, Street of Heavenly Pillars, Dragon Palace, and Dragon Labyrinth. The Dragon Palace alone houses over 1,700 stalagmites, including the 'Sacred Needle Holding the Sea,' which stands over 19 meters tall and is insured for 100 million yuan 💸
Tours for visitors include both land and water routes. My favorite part is the 10-minute boat ride along the underground river 😍 It feels like stepping into a fantasy world!
But don't think you're alone here—this seemingly magical place is home to rare creatures like the giant salamander and glass fish 😲
The entire walk through the Dragon's domain is on well-maintained paths, stairs, bridges, with good lighting, and accompanied by a guide (2.5 km). There are many steps to climb and descend, so keep this in mind when planning your visit.
This extraordinary place amazes with its scale and uniqueness! And there's still so much left to explore! 🤯
Be sure to visit Huanglong Cave when planning your trip to Zhangjiajie/Zhangjiajie National Forest Park 😉
The ideal time to visit the cave is summer, as it's cool and damp inside, providing a perfect escape from the scorching heat. Alternatively, you can take shelter here from the rain without wasting precious travel time 🙃
Tickets can be purchased at the cave entrance or online in advance via trip.com 🙌🏻 The ticket price includes the boat ride along the underground river.
Average sightseeing time: ~2 hours.
Tips for visiting the cave:
- Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes 🥾
- Bring water/snacks 💧
- There are no restrooms inside (use them before entering the cave) 👌🏻
- Arrive at opening time or after 3:00 PM to avoid crowds.
🗺️ Address: Zhangqing Main Road, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, 427400.
🚍🚖 How to get there:
The cave is located near the Wulingyuan area. You can take bus No. 1 from the Wulingyuan bus station or a taxi. Travel time: no more than 20 minutes.
❗️If you're coming from Zhangjiajie city, first take a bus from Zhangjiajie's Central Bus Station to Wulingyuan Bus Station (approximately 1 hour), then transfer to bus No. 1 to the attraction (up to 20 minutes).