Benxi Water Cave, located along Taizi River, about 35 kilometers  to the northeast of Benxi City in Liaoning Province, is known as the longest underground karst cave with water in the world. Comprising a dry cave and a water cave, it’s famous for a magnificent karst landscape.

With a length of 5.8 kilometers, of which 2.8 kilometers are accessible to visitors, the cave covers an area of 3.6 hectares. The entrance of the cave takes the shape of a crescent, with four red Chinese Characters “Ben Xi Shui Dong” (meaning Benxi Water Cave) inscribed on the upper part. Entering the cave, visitors see a large guest-greeting lobby that can accommodate more than one thousand people. The right side of the hall leads to a 300-meter-long (330 yards) dry cave. Numerous stalactites in different shapes and sizes protrude from the roof and walls. At the end of the cave there is a bottomless pool.

After visiting the dry cave, visitors return to the guest-greeting lobby. Passing through a corridor, they arrive at a dock where they can take a boat to start their water cave journey. Stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes such as lotus lamp, long sword, crocodile’s head, corn tower, rhino, elephant, leaning tower and snow mountain are scattered on both sides of the winding underground river. The cave maintains a temperature of 12 °C (54 °F) all year round, so visitors need to wear an overcoat in the cave, which is offered for free use.

Two more must-sees in the scenic area are the Geological Museum and the Kingdom of Silicified Wood.

The Geological Museum exhibits more than 3,300 rare specimens, among which 30 are classified as national treasures. Fossils of the feathered dinosaur, the aquatic lizard, and Archaefructus Liaoningensis are among the most precious. Visitors can also find the geological heritages of Benxi National Geological Park in the museum.
 

There are 619 petrified trees in the kingdom of Silicified Wood, including the world’s highest one honored as ‘King of Silicified Trees’. It is about 14.7 meters (48 feet) tall with a diameter of 1.5 meters (5 feet). According to scientists, these tree fossils formed in the last stage of the Middle Jurassic Period, about 180 million years ago.

Apart from the petrified trees, visitors can also appreciate some other kinds of trees and flowers, such as ginkgo, Chinese red pine, Mongolian oak, American maple, white birch, Japanese pagoda tree with golden leaves, Korean spruce and Magnolia sieboldii.

Visitors can also take a float on Taizi River to appreciate the amazing natural scenery on the banks of the river.

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Travel Tips
Add:  35 kilometers to the northeast of Benxi City in Liaoning Province
Opening Hours:08:00-17:00
Entrance Fees: CNY 150

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