Located at the eastern part of the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Yellow Dragon Cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a large-scale karst cave with numerous stalactites of various sizes and shapes. Regarded as a wonder of the world karst caves, Yellow Dragon Cave in China is one of the most beautiful karst caves and it is a must-visit attraction on your Zhangjiajie tours.
Overview of Yellow Dragon Cave
Yellow Dragon Cave, also named Huanglong Cave, covers an area of 100,000 square meters and stretches 7.5 kilometers with a maximum height of 140 meters. The miraculous underground cave is divided into four floors with six main scenic sites, including the Dragon Dance Hall, Dragon Palace, Xiangshui River, Tianxian Palace, Sky Column Street, and the Maze.
Yellow Dragon Cave Facts
- Location: Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province
- Opening time: 8:00 – 17:30
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Entrance fee: CNY 121 per person (including boat ride)
- Best time to visit: March to November
- Suited to: Anyone, especially cave lovers
What to Do and See in Yellow Dragon Cave
This natural wonder presents unique karst landscapes and charming scenery, and six scenic sites in the Zhangjiajie Yellow Dragon Cave await you to explore.
1. Dragon Dance Hall
After you enter the Yellow Dragon Cave, the first site to explore is the Dragon Dance Hall. The hall is said to be a place where the Dragon King enjoys dancing. There are colorful neon lights cast on various types of stone columns, creating a fancy charm of the cave.
2. Dragon Palace
Dragon Palace is the largest and oldest hall in the Yellow Dragon Cave, and its formation dates back to 200,000 years ago. It covers an area of 14,000 square meters with an average height of 40 meters, and there are a large number of stalagmites and stalactites. The unique landscapes are Dinghai Shenzhen, Dragon King’s Seat, and Wannian Cedar, among which Dinghai Shenzhen is also a landmark of the Huanglong Cave in Zhangjiajie.
3. Xiangshui River
This is one of the underground rivers in the Yellow Dragon Cave. Located on the second floor, Xiangshui River is 2,800 meters long with an average depth of 6 meters. It’s a good place for boat riding. You can take a boat ride for sightseeing and explore this mysterious place. Besides, there is a Tianxian Bridge spanning the Xiangshui River, and it is the largest artificial stone arch bridge in a karst cave in China.
4. Tianxian Palace
Tianxian Palace is the widest hall in the Yellow Dragon Cave. It mainly features a spectacular Tianxian Waterfall, which is a hanging waterfall with the largest flow and highest drop of its kind in China. The water pours down from the cavern on top of the cave with great momentum, and the drop reaches 27.3 meters. Take a visit there in the Huanglong Cave on your tour of Zhangjiajie, and you’ll marvel at this masterpiece of nature.
5. Sky Column Street
The Sky Column Street is located on the third floor of the Yellow Dragon Cave. It is said to be a market in the sky where the immortals buy and sell stuff. There stand numerous stone columns of different shapes, looking like immortals with different appearances bustle and hustle in the street. Besides, you can also find other wonderful landscapes in this area, including Flower and Fruit Mountain and Shiqin Mountain.
6. The Maze
The Maze is located in the bottom part of the Yellow Dragon Cave, and it is also one of the highlights in the scenic area. There are various stalactites and stalagmites densely packed in the cave. Besides, you can see a dazzling array of stalactite flowers, pearls, and corals, which are amazingly beautiful.
Best Time to Visit Yellow Dragon Cave
Huanglong Cave is suitable to visit throughout the year, and the best time to visit there is during spring, summer, and autumn, that is from March to November. In these times, the climate and humidity are mild for traveling, and the landscapes are beautiful.
How to Get to Yellow Dragon Cave
If you find yourself in Zhangjiajie, head to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station and take a direct bus to Wulingyuan Bus Station, which costs CNY 13. Then, take Wulingyuan Bus No. 1 to Yellow Dragon Cave (Huanglong Cave), which costs CNY 2.
Attractions Nearby Yellow Dragon Cave
Zhangjiajie has many attractions, including beautiful lakes, valleys, and other scenic areas. Below are the top of the sites near Yellow Dragon Cave in Zhangjiajie, and you can visit them on your Zhangjiajie tours.
- Suoxi Valley: This site is a must-visit attraction on your travel to Zhangjiajie. By visiting there, you can find graceful mountains, tranquil valleys, clear water, and miraculous caves.
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon: Located near Yellow Dragon Cave, this is an attraction with dense vegetation and magnificent waterfalls, and it is a great place for hiking. Besides, you can walk on the thrilling glass-bottom bridge to overlook the whole scenic area.
- Baofeng Lake: Located 8 kilometers from Huanglong Cave, it is famous for its stunning water landscapes. Besides, the Water Curtain Cave in the famous TV series “Journey to the West” was set there.
