Billions of years of fantasy! Zhijin Cave, China's most beautiful underground crystal palace

🌟 Journey through billions of years of subterranean wonder | Complete Guide to Zhijin Cave
🌌 1. Why must you visit Zhijin Cave?
- "King of Chinese Karst Caves": A UNESCO-certified Global Geopark, upgraded to a national 5A-level scenic spot in 2022, honored as "China's Most Beautiful Tourist Cave." If Xu Xiake were alive today, he would surely marvel, "No other cave compares to Zhijin Cave!"
- Dense magical landscapes: A 6.6 km corridor housing 12 grand halls, over 150 scenic spots, a 17-meter "Silver Rain Tree," a 14-meter "Overlord Helmet," and a 70,000㎡ "Hundred Thousand Mountains" stone forest—every step an epic karst masterpiece.
- Year-round constant temperature wonderland: The cave maintains a steady 16℃🌡️, perfect for summer cooling and warm winter visits, rain or snow no obstacle.

⏰ 2. Key Practical Information
- Opening Hours
- Peak season (March 1 - end of November): 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (extended to 6:30 PM on holidays)
- Off-season (December 1 - end of February next year): 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (extended to 6:00 PM on holidays)
- Ticket Prices
- Adult ticket: Peak season 140 RMB/person (includes sightseeing bus + insurance), off-season 130 RMB/person
- Discounts: Free admission for children under 14, seniors 60+, and military personnel (30 RMB insurance fee required); students half price
- Recommended combo ticket: Zhijin Cave + Grand Canyon joint ticket for 200 RMB, better value
- Ticket purchase tip: Book 3 hours in advance via the official WeChat "Zhijin Cave" to skip the line

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🚌 3. Transportation Guide (starting from Guiyang)
- High-speed train/EMU🚄: Guiyang North Station → Zhijin North Station (about 1.5 hours), then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus (30 minutes/10 RMB) or taxi (50 RMB)
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Zhijin Cave Tourist Service Center" from Guiyang, about 120 km via Hukun + Qian-Zhi Expressways, 1.5 hours direct, parking fee 10-20 RMB/day
- Airplane✈️: Arrive at Guiyang Longdongbao Airport → take a bus from Jinyang Bus Station directly to the cave (3 hours, 50 RMB)
⚠️ Internal transport: The scenic area sightseeing bus is mandatory (20 RMB/person), connecting the entrance and the cave; the entire tour is on foot

🚶 4. Value-for-money Tour Route Planning
📌 Core cave route (takes 2-3 hours)
Visitor Center → Sightseeing Bus → Cave Entrance → Welcome Hall → Lecture Hall → Snow Fragrance Palace → Longevity Star Palace → Guanghan Palace (must-see "Suoluo Tree") → Lingxiao Hall → Hundred Thousand Mountains (largest hall) → Silver Rain Tree (treasure of the cave) → Overlord Helmet → Exit

📌 Surrounding combined activities
- 1-day highlight tour: Zhijin Cave (morning) → Zhijin Grand Canyon (afternoon, boat exploration of the fissure underground river, 10 km from the cave)
- 2-day in-depth tour:
- Day 1: Zhijin Cave + Grand Canyon
- Day 2: Wujiangyuan Hundred-Mile Gallery (boat ride to admire karst landscapes) → Pingyuan Ancient Town (night tour and local delicacies)

📸 Photography spots recommended: Guanghan Palace blue light stone pillars, panoramic view of Hundred Thousand Mountains, backlit silhouette of Silver Rain Tree; tripod recommended for stability

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🍜 5. Food and Accommodation Recommendations
- Must-try delicacies
- Zhijin Eight Bowls: Traditional banquet with eight dishes, cured meat, dried tofu, and crispy pork bursting with flavor
- Buckwheat Cold Noodles: Sour, spicy, smooth with houttuynia, a summer cooling must-have
- Kung Pao Chicken: Original version! Tender chicken with crunchy peanuts, spicy with a numbing kick
- Accommodation options
- Near the scenic area entrance: Zhijin Cave Hotel (5-minute walk, about 300 RMB/night), Peninsula Hotel (river view)
- Zhijin County town (20 km away): Pingyuan Ancient Town Hotel (convenient for night tours), Zhijin Hotel (high-end), better value for money

❗ 6. Pitfall Avoidance Tips
1. Clothing: The cave is slippery❄️, be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes and a light jacket (16℃ constant temperature)
2. Safety: Entire tour is on foot with no elevators; elderly and pregnant visitors should be cautious; do not climb over railings or touch stalactites (fragile and fined)
3. Avoid peak times: Enter before 8 AM during summer holidays to avoid crowds from 10 AM to 2 PM
4. With children: The 6.6 km walk requires good stamina; consider visiting only the first half

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🎉 7. New Experiences in 2025
- Subterranean Light and Shadow Show: New underground museum with laser projections depicting mythical geological wonders
- Pingyuan Ancient Town Night Tour: Themed lantern festivals and intangible cultural heritage iron flower performances during Spring Festival and summer; don’t miss the Kung Pao Chicken night market
- Aerospace Experience Center: VR moon landing and rocket models, a great parent-child science education spot.