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Prof. Jian Chen
What You'll Find Here
The first time I stepped into Dragon Palace Cave, I almost slipped on wet stone and nearly dropped my camera into a pool of turquoise water. That's the kind of place this is—beautiful but messy, awe-inspiring but exhausting. After guiding over 20 groups through this cave in Anshun, Guizhou, I can give you a real answer: it's worth visiting if you know what you're getting into. Otherwise, you'll just end up tired and disappointed.
The Short Answer: Yes, But Only Under These Conditions
If you love massive underground chambers with colored lights reflecting off water, and you don't mind climbing hundreds of steps in humid air, then yes. Dragon Palace Cave (also called Longgong Cave) is one of the largest water caves in Asia—you actually take a boat ride inside for part of the tour. But here's the catch: it's not a peaceful walk. It's crowded, the lighting can be tacky, and some sections feel repetitive. I'll break down why I still recommend it, and when I tell people to skip.
✅ Worth it for: First-time cave visitors, families with older kids (no strollers allowed), photographers who like reflections
❌ Skip if: You have mobility issues (lots of steep stairs), you hate tourist crowds, you've already seen Reed Flute Cave or Zhijin Cave
The Bad Stuff Nobody Tells You
Let's get the negatives out first, because most travel blogs sugarcoat it.
- Stairs, stairs, stairs. The cave walk is about 1.2 km on foot plus a 20-minute boat ride. But those 1.2 km include over 500 steps, some uneven and slippery. I've seen elderly tourists give up halfway.
- Lighting is… aggressive. Neon purple, green, and red lights turn stalactites into a disco. If you want a natural cave experience, this isn't it.
- Pickpocket risk nearby. Few guides mention this—outside the cave entrance, the market area can be chaotic. Keep your phone in a zipped pocket.
- Boat ride is short. The “underground boat trip” sounds epic, but it's only 15 minutes and you sit packed with 8 other people. The boatman paddles fast.
Best Time to Visit & How to Avoid the Worst Crowds
Dragon Palace Cave is open year-round, but summer (June–August) is peak season. I've waited 45 minutes just to buy tickets. Here's my timing advice:
| Time Slot | Crowds | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Low | Buses haven't arrived yet. You'll have the cave almost to yourself. |
| 9:00 – 11:00 AM | Medium | Tour groups start coming. Still okay. |
| 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | High | Worst time. Packed like sardines. Avoid if possible. |
| 2:00 – 4:00 PM | Medium-High | Still busy, but afternoon groups are smaller. |
| 4:00 – 5:30 PM | Low | Last entry at 5:30 PM (check season). Fewer people, but you'll rush. |
Pro tip: Go on a weekday, ideally Tuesday or Wednesday. The cave is underground so weather doesn't matter, but avoid Chinese public holidays like National Day (Oct 1-7) and Labor Day (May 1-5). It's a nightmare.
Ticket Prices & How to Book
Prices change, but here's what I paid last month (April 2025):
- Adult: 150 RMB (about $21 USD)
- Children (1.2–1.4 m): 75 RMB
- Seniors (60+): 75 RMB (with ID)
- Boat ride: Included in ticket (required to exit the cave)
Do you need to book in advance? Yes, especially on weekends. You can buy on-site, but the line is long. Use WeChat mini program “Longgong Cave” (search in WeChat) or ask your hotel to help. If you don't have WeChat, booking via Trip.com (ctrip) is smooth. I always use Trip.com for my clients—no trouble.
How to Get There (Exact Directions)
Dragon Palace Cave is about 30 km from Anshun city center. Here's how:
From Anshun city (where most people stay)
- Bus: Take bus 3 from Anshun Bus Terminal (安顺客运东站). Look for “Longgong” sign. Get off at the last stop. Travel time: 50 minutes. Cost: 20 RMB.
- Taxi: About 70–90 RMB (use Didi app). Tell the driver “Longgong Cave”. Ask to be dropped at the ticket office, not the parking lot—saves a 10-minute walk.
- Private driver: If you book through your hotel, expect 150–200 RMB round trip. Worth it if you're in a group of 3+.
From Guiyang (capital of Guizhou)
- High-speed train: Guiyang North to Anshun West (about 30 minutes, 45 RMB). Then taxi 30 minutes to the cave.
- Direct bus: There's a direct bus from Guiyang Longdongbao Bus Station to Dragon Palace Cave (departs 8:30 AM, returns 4:30 PM). Cost 60 RMB. Reserve one day ahead at the station or via Ctrip bus.
Address for navigation: (Longgong Town, Xixiu District, Anshun). Use Google Maps or Apple Maps – both work.
Inside the Cave: What the Boat Ride and Walk Feel Like
You'll enter through a massive opening that feels like a giant mouth. First part: a 15-minute boat ride through a narrow water tunnel with low ceilings (duck your head). The water is an unreal shade of green—photo-worthy if you have a good camera. Phone photos come out dark; bring a small light or use night mode.
After the boat, you're dropped at a platform and walk through several “halls”:
- Hall of Butterflies: Named for the butterfly-shaped stalactite. It's impressive, but the colored lights make it look like a carnival ride.
- Hall of the Dragon King: A huge chamber with a 50-meter tall column. This is where the cave gets its name. The scale is genuinely jaw-dropping. Take a moment to just stand and look up.
- Exit path: A series of staircases that go up and down. You'll come out near the same entrance area. There's a cable car that can take you down (20 RMB) but the walk downhill is only 10 minutes—I say skip it.
Total time inside: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on crowds. Add 30 minutes for the queue at the boat. So plan at least 3 hours for the whole experience.
How Dragon Palace Cave Compares to Zhijin Cave & Others
I hear this question a lot. Here's a quick comparison:
| Cave | Size | Boat | Crowds | My Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Palace Cave (Longgong) | Large (water + walk) | Yes | Very crowded | Good for first-time visitors |
| Zhijin Cave (Zhijin) | Huge (all walking) | No | Less crowded | Better for serious cave lovers |
| Reed Flute Cave (Guilin) | Smaller | No | Extremely crowded | Only if you're in Guilin |
My honest opinion: If you have time for only one cave in Guizhou, choose Zhijin Cave. It's more spectacular, less touristy, and the lighting is more natural. But Dragon Palace Cave's boat ride is unique—nowhere else in Guizhou can you float through an underground river. So if that sounds cool, go for it.
Honestly I was a bit let down. The place was packed even on a weekday, and you had to shuffle along with a slow-moving line. Some of the stalactites looked dry and dusty, and the lighting was so dim in certain sections that you couldn't see much. The steep exit stairs are poorly lit too — almost slipped. For the price and hype, I'd skip this and find a quieter cave nearby.
The cave is impressive, no doubt — the rock formations are beautiful and the atmosphere is mystical. I just felt it was a bit too commercialized. There's a photo station pushing prints at the exit, and the audio guide rental felt unnecessary. Also, the stair climb back up left me winded. Still a solid 4 stars for the natural beauty, but don't expect a wild, untouched cave.
Took my two kids (ages 8 and 11) here and they were mesmerized. The colored lights and the 'dragon palace' theme kept them engaged the whole time. The walkways are well-maintained and safe, and there are handrails on the steep sections. We spent about 1.5 hours inside. The ticket price felt fair for the experience. A must-do if you're in the area!
Honestly one of the coolest caves I've visited in Asia. The sheer scale of the main hall is insane — photos don't do it justice. The guided tour was informative, though a bit rushed at the end. If you're reasonably fit, the climb out is manageable. Only minor downside: the souvenir shop at the exit is overpriced. But the cave itself? 10/10. Would go again.
Absolutely breathtaking! The stalactites and stalagmites are like nothing I've ever seen — the lighting makes them glow in shades of emerald and amethyst. Our guide pointed out a formation that looked like a sleeping dragon, and the echo in the main chamber gave me chills. Yes, there are a lot of stairs, but every step is worth it. Tip: go early to beat the crowds and bring a light jacket — it's cool inside.