Peng Gao
I've led dozens of tours through Dragon Palace Cave (Longgong) over the past eight years, and let me tell you—most first-timers walk in blind and walk out kicking themselves. The cave is stunning, but the crowds, the lighting, and the boat rides can turn a magical experience into a sweaty hassle if you don't plan ahead.
So here's what I've learned the hard way.
What Makes Dragon Palace Cave Special
Dragon Palace Cave isn't just one cave—it's a massive limestone complex with underground rivers, waterfalls, and huge chambers lit by colored lights. The boat ride through the dark cave is the highlight. You float silently (well, not so silently if you go with a tour bus group) while stalactites hang overhead. The water is crystal clear in some spots, and the reflections are surreal.
What sets it apart from other Guizhou caves is the sheer scale. One chamber, the "Palace Hall," is the size of a football field. It's genuinely impressive.
Best Time to Visit: Timing is Everything
Weekday mornings, March–May or September–October. That's the sweet spot. Summer (June–August) is packed with domestic tourists, and the humidity inside the cave makes you feel like you're breathing through a wet towel. Winter (December–February) is quieter but colder—the cave stays around 15°C, so bring a light jacket.
If you must go in summer, arrive at the ticket counter before 8:30 AM. The tour buses usually roll in around 10 AM. I've seen queues stretch 200 meters by 11 AM.
Tickets & Prices (Latest Update)
As of my last visit, here's the breakdown. Note: prices change, so always double-check on the official WeChat mini-program.
| Ticket Type | Price (CNY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (Peak season Mar–Nov) | 150 | Includes boat ride |
| Adult (Off-peak Dec–Feb) | 120 | Some boat routes may be limited |
| Student / Senior (60+) | 75 | Must show valid ID |
| Child (under 1.2m) | Free | Ride must hold child on lap |
You must book in advance during Chinese holidays (May Day, National Day). Use Trip.com or the official WeChat account—same price, no surcharge.
How to Get to Dragon Palace Cave
It's located about 27 km southwest of Anshun city center. Here's how to reach it:
- From Anshun West Bus Station: Take the bus marked "龙宫" (Longgong). It leaves roughly every 30 minutes from 7 AM to 4 PM. Cost: 10 CNY. The ride takes 40–50 minutes. Get off at the scenic area entrance.
- By taxi from Anshun: About 80–100 CNY one way (negotiate before you go). Drivers often wait at the exit to take you back, but expect to pay 120 CNY for the return tip.
- From Guiyang: High-speed train to Anshun (1 hour, 50 CNY). Then bus/taxi as above. Total travel time from Guiyang: 2–2.5 hours.
What to Expect Inside: The Boat Ride & Walking Route
The tour is divided into two parts: a boat ride through the underground river, and a walking trail through a dry cave. The boat ride is about 20 minutes, but you'll wait in line—sometimes up to 1 hour during peak season.
Once you board, each boat holds about 8–10 people. The boatman rows slowly, so you have plenty of time to take photos. Pro tip: sit on the right side if you want the best reflections.
After the boat, you walk through a series of illuminated chambers. The paths are well-lit but can be slippery—I've seen more than a few tourists slip on wet stone. Wear closed shoes with grip.
There's also a small waterfall inside called the "Dragon's Breath"—it's a narrow cascade that hits a pool. Pretty, but not worth rushing for.
5 Common Mistakes Tourists Make (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Visiting on a rainy day
The water level inside the cave rises quickly after heavy rain. Sometimes the boat ride is suspended. Check the weather in Anshun. If it's been raining heavily for 2 days straight, delay your trip.
2. Not bringing a flashlight
The cave paths are lit, but there are darker corners and you'll get better photos if you have a small torch to highlight details. Your phone flashlight works, but a proper one helps you avoid puddles.
3. Eating at the only restaurant inside the scenic area
Overpriced and mediocre — 45 CNY for a bowl of noodles that tastes like cardboard. I always tell my groups to bring snacks and eat a proper meal in Anshun afterward. There's a nice local place called Wang's Guizhou Noodles at 168 Huangguoshu Avenue that does a mean spicy beef noodle for 15 CNY.
4. Wearing flip-flops
I've seen it more times than I can count. The walkways are wet, and you'll be waiting in line on uneven stone. Shoes with good grip save you from a twisted ankle.
5. Forgetting to bring cash
Most of the small vendors near the entrance only accept WeChat Pay or Alipay. International cards? Forget it. I always carry 200 CNY in small bills for snacks, drinks, or parking fees. There's an ATM at the visitor center, but it often runs out of cash on weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dragon Palace Cave suitable for elderly people with mobility issues?Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
Honestly, I was a bit let down. I came armed with all the 'beat the crowds' tips — arrived on a Tuesday at 8:30am — but there were already three tour groups lined up at the entrance. The cave itself is impressive but felt more like a theme park attraction than a natural wonder. Everything is overly lit with neon colors, the pathways are packed with people taking selfies, and the boat ride lasted maybe 5 minutes. Maybe I just had bad luck, but for the hype and the ticket price, I was expecting something more awe-inspiring. It's okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
Solid cave experience overall. The guided tour was informative and the boat ride is a nice touch. I followed the advice to go during the 11am-1pm 'lunch gap' and while it wasn't empty, it wasn't crazy crowded either. The reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5: the audio guide was hard to hear over the echoes and the staff seemed a bit rushed. Also, the path felt a little too planned — I would've loved more freedom to linger. Still, for the price and the uniqueness of the formations, it's a good stop. Just manage expectations on the 'intimacy' aspect.
Visited with two kids (ages 7 and 10) and the whole family loved it. The insider tip about buying tickets online in advance saved us an hour in line. The cave is huge but well-lit and easy to walk through — no slippery stairs or tight squeezes like some other caves. The kids were amazed by the 'dragon's egg' stalagmite and the echo spot. Only downside is the souvenir shop at the exit is overpriced and pushy, but we just walked past. A memorable adventure that felt manageable even with little ones. 5 stars from all of us!
Dragon Palace Cave blew my mind. I'm not usually a cave guy, but the sheer scale of the main hall is humbling. The tip about skipping the midday rush and coming after 3pm worked perfectly — we practically had the place to ourselves. The colored lighting is a bit dramatic for my taste, but the natural rock formations are stunning. If you're into photography, bring a tripod (they allow it during off-peak hours) and you'll get shots that look like another planet. Highly recommend combining it with a hike up the nearby hill for sunset afterward.
Finally got to see Dragon Palace Cave after reading about the insider tips here — arriving right at 8am on a weekday was a game changer! The stalactites were still dripping with morning moisture and the light hitting them made everything glow like amber. We had the whole first chamber to ourselves for 20 minutes before the first tour bus arrived. If you follow the early bird strategy, you'll have a magical, quiet experience. The guided boat ride through the underground river was surreal — the boatman even turned off the motor for a minute so we could hear the water dripping. Absolutely worth the early alarm!