Rarely do I use the word "awe-inspiring" to describe a place...

Sanmenhai Travel Guide

Location: Paoli Township, Fengshan County, Hechi City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Highlights: World-class karst skylight cluster, underground river caves, turquoise glass-like waters

Why Visit Sanmenhai?
China's only "skylight cluster" wonder—seven interconnected transparent sinkholes. Boat through underground rivers for a "journey to the center of the earth" experience.
Turquoise waters rivaling Jiuzhaigou—mineral-rich Tiffany-blue lakes with crystal-clear visibility.
Off-the-beaten-path—fewer crowds than Guilin, more pristine than Yangshuo, with minimal commercialization.

Best Time to Visit
May-October: Comfortable water temperature for swimming; sunlight makes the water colors most magical (water levels slightly higher during rainy season).
November-April: Clearer, brighter waters but cooler, with very few tourists.
Avoid heavy rain season (July-August, occasional floods may temporarily close the park).

Must-Do Experiences
1. Underground River Skylight Boat Tour (Must-do!)
Route: Small boat ride through three transparent skylights ("Gate of Life," "Moon Gate," "Heaven's Gate"), ~1.5 hours total.
Highlights:
Sunlight piercing the water creates "God rays" under the skylights.
Touch the icy underground river water and observe stalactite reflections.
Ticket: ¥98/person (includes boat + guide).

2. Hiking to Viewpoints
Cloud Sea Viewing Platform: 10-minute climb for panoramic skylight views (free).
Earth's Core Tunnel: Short cave exploration, headlamp required (¥30/person).

3. Nearby Attractions
Crystal Palace (30km away): UNESCO Global Geopark with snow-white stalactite halls (¥90 ticket).
Bainiao Yan (Bird Rock): Boat through caves to see swallow flocks (similar to Sanmenhai but smaller).

Transport Guide
Getting There:
Self-drive (recommended):
Nanning → Sanmenhai (4h) via Lanhai Highway + winding mountain roads.
Guilin → Sanmenhai (5h) through stunning karst landscapes.
Public Transport:
1. Take a bus from Nanning/Guilin to Fengshan County (4-5h), then hire a car to Sanmenhai (40min, ~¥100/car).

Internal Transport:
Only walking or boating within the park; 10-minute boardwalk from parking lot to dock.

Accommodation
Near Sanmenhai:
Farmstays (¥100-200): Try "Skylight Homestay" with mountain views.
Fengshan County (more comfort):
Fengshan International Hotel (¥300+), ideal for higher standards.

Food Guide
Hemp Seed Chicken Soup: Local longevity ingredient, light and nourishing (must-try!).
Oil Tea Fish: Wild river fish cooked with Yao ethnic tea broth.
Five-Colored Sticky Rice: Naturally dyed, seasonal festival food.
Note: No restaurants in the park—pack snacks or eat at farmstays.

Important Tips
1. Safety: Wear life jackets on boats; keep hands away from deep water.
2. Attire: Non-slip shoes (wet boardwalks), sun protection (large temperature shifts in/out of caves).
3. Photography: Best light before 10am; use wide-angle for skylights.
4. Eco-rules: No sunscreen while swimming (harms water quality).

Itinerary Suggestions
[Day Trip]
AM: Skylight boat tour → Hiking viewpoint → Farmstay lunch
PM: Earth's Core Tunnel OR drive to Crystal Palace (choose one).

[2-Day In-Depth]
Day1: Sanmenhai boat + caving → Stay in Fengshan
Day2: Crystal Palace + return trip