Nature's Creation–Millions of Years of Sculpture Carved by Water Droplets
The natural landscape of Reed Flute Cave is an eternal dialogue between water,stone,and time.The cave is filled with dripping water and exceptionally rich stalactites.Visitors strolling among the towering stone pillars,illuminated by colorful lights,feel as if they are in a fairyland.The entire cave is divided into four sections:"Stone Curtain Forest,""Heavenly Pillar Cloud Mountain,""Crystal Palace,"and"Winding Path Gallery,"containing over 30 exquisite scenic spots,each a new vista at every turn.
Lion Ridge at Dawn:A Visual Feast Upon Entering the Cave
"Lion Ridge at Dawn"is Reed Flute Cave's welcoming spectacle.Bathed in warm lighting,the stalagmites and columns resemble mountains awakening at dawn,with stalactites of various shapes like proud lions welcoming visitors.This is the prelude to your cave tour and the first excellent vantage point for capturing the entire cave panorama.Photography tip:Use a wide-angle lens to include both the foreground stalagmites and the background lighting effects in the frame.
High Gorge Waterfall and Coiled Dragon Pagoda:A Spectacular Duet of Movement and Stillness
High Gorge Waterfall:This is a truly magnificent stone curtain landscape.A massive stone curtain cascades down from the cave ceiling,its flowing textures resembling a waterfall,like a frozen symphony of flowing water.Under blue lighting,it possesses an even more majestic grandeur,as if"the Milky Way has fallen from the heavens."
Coiled Dragon Pagoda:A giant stalagmite,rising in layers like a pagoda,its textures resembling a coiled dragon.This is one of the most representative stone pillar landscapes of Reed Flute Cave and an important specimen for geologists studying stalactite growth rates.
Crystal Palace:A Mythical Underground Palace
The Crystal Palace is the most spacious hall inside Reed Flute Cave.A giant natural"palace lantern"hangs in the upper left corner,bathing the entire hall in a magical glow,resembling the crystal palace of the Dragon King of the East Sea in mythology.This fantastical space was chosen as the filming location for the East Sea Dragon Palace in the 1986 TV series Journey to the West,where classic scenes of the Dragon Palace were filmed.Now,the scenic area has created the"Reed Flute Cave Mirror"4D visual show,projecting fantastical scenes of geological evolution—from the Ice Age and tectonic movements to the revival of nature and the formation of stalactites—onto the 3,000-square-meter ceiling of the Crystal Palace.This allows visitors to experience the magical charm of this"Palace of Natural Art"while appreciating the harmonious fusion of cave wonders and modern technology.
Snow-capped Mountain Reflections and Primeval Forest:A Blend of Poetry and Wildness
Snow-capped Mountain Reflections:This is an exquisitely crafted landscape combination—stalactite formations,under carefully designed lighting,resemble snow-capped mountains reflected in clear underground water,creating a dreamlike and ethereal effect where it's hard to distinguish between stone and reflection.
Primitive Forest:Dense clusters of stalagmites form an"underground stone forest,"varying in height and shape,resembling an ancient primeval forest sealed within a deep cave.Walking through it,with stalagmites flanking the path,feels like stepping into a secret jungle deep within the earth.
Wonderful Stalactites:Nature's Masterpiece
The stalactites at Reed Flute Cave are diverse and unique:those hanging from the cave ceiling are called stalactites,those growing upwards from the ground are called stalagmites,and stalactites and stalagmites connecting form pillars.Other formations include stone curtains,stone flags,stone flowers,stone waterfalls,stone harps,stone drums,and stone bells.Some of the stones are hollow,producing a clear and melodious sound when struck,hence the names"Stone Qin"(stone zither),"Stone Drum"(stone drum),and"Stone Bell"(stone bell).The stalactites contain calcite particles,which sparkle and shimmer under the colorful lights inside the cave,appearing exquisite and translucent,as if entering a magnificent underground palace carved from gemstones,coral,and jade.
Cultural Imprints—Echoes of a Thousand Years Engraved on the Stone Walls
Besides its breathtaking natural landscape,Reed Flute Cave also possesses a rich cultural heritage.
Millennial Wall Inscriptions:On the rock walls of attractions such as the"Primitive Forest"and"Crystal Palace,"77 wall inscriptions dating from the Tang Dynasty to the Republic of China period are preserved,the earliest dating back to 792 AD.These ink-written travelogues are authentic records of ancient visitors to Reed Flute Cave and are invaluable material for studying the ancient history of Guilin tourism and calligraphy.Standing before these millennia-old wall inscriptions,one can almost travel through time and have a dialogue across centuries with the literati of a thousand years ago.
Half-Poem Terrace:This scenic spot carries a long-standing literary anecdote.Legend has it that one day,a poet,while visiting Reed Flute Cave,was struck by the breathtaking scenery and wrote the lines,"Nature's reeds are naturally ingenious,yet words fail to capture the wonder of this rock."He could not find the right words to complete the poem,hence the name"Half-Poem Terrace."In 2014,the renowned poet Wang Guozhen visited the scenic area and,upon hearing this story,was inspired to add the second half:"Spring's beauty never loses to autumn's rustling,you are like brocade,I am like smoke."This poetic dialogue across time adds a rich humanistic touch to Reed Flute Cave.
The Glory of the State Guest Cave:Since its opening in 1962,Reed Flute Cave has received over 300 heads of state and dignitaries from China and abroad.On February 28,1976,former US President Richard Nixon and his wife visited Reed Flute Cave.After enthusiastically walking the 500-meter path,his wife exclaimed,"The scenery here is beautiful,unique,and magnificent,like a palace.The people who discovered this cave are even greater!"This is how Reed Flute Cave earned its reputation as the"State Guest Cave,"making it an important window for cultural exchange between Guilin and even China with the world.
Cave Technology Show:In addition to traditional light displays,Reed Flute Cave incorporates modern technology.The"Reed Flute Cave Mirror"4D visual show utilizes the vast ceiling space of the Crystal Palace to present the geological evolution process through immersive projection,allowing visitors to intuitively experience the millions of years of time flowing from the Ice Age to the formation of stalactites.The scenic area also features China's first new type of elevated monorail sightseeing vehicle,providing a convenient shuttle experience for tourists.
Photography Tips:
The best panoramic view is from the Crystal Palace,capturing the natural palace lanterns,the cave ceiling projection,and the surrounding stalactites,creating a truly breathtaking sense of space.The Panlong Pagoda is best photographed up close,highlighting the majestic texture and intricate patterns of the stalagmites.For the cascading waterfall,use a slow shutter speed(tripper or stabilizer required)to capture the flowing lines of the stalactites,creating a soft,water-like effect.At the snow-capped mountain reflection,patiently wait for the water to calm and use symmetrical composition to capture the beauty of the interplay between reality and illusion.
Drones are prohibited inside the cave(it's an enclosed space).Please follow the guide's instructions and take photos in designated areas.
