Known by many as “the Palace of Natural Arts,” the Reed Flute Cave (pinyin: Lúdí Yán; Chinese: 銦笛岩) is a popular tourist destination in Guilin, Guangxi, China.
The reed that grows outside the cave is the kind that gives it its name; it may be fashioned into flutes. There are a ton of stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations at Reed Flute Cave. There are around seventy ink inscriptions within that date to the Tang period, which began in 792 AD.
It has been a popular destination in Guilin since ancient times, according to these worn inscriptions. In the 1940s, a group of refugees escaping Japanese forces rediscovered it. These days, the cave is artificially lit with colorful lighting.
There are many different types of stalactites and stalagmites in the Reed Flute Cave. These formations are called Crystal Palace, Fish Tail Peak, and Dragon Pagoda based on their appearance and the stories that surround them.
According to legend, one enormous stalactite was the Dragon King’s magic spear, which the Monkey King Sun Wukong used in the Journey to the West, a famous Chinese Buddhist tale.
The abundance of reeds growing outside the cave’s mouth, which are frequently used to build flutes and other tiny wind instruments, gave Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan) its odd name. The primary entrance to the cave is located on the south side of Guangming Hill, also known as “Bright Light” Hill, and the cave is approximately 5 kilometers northwest of Guilin’s city.
The natural limestone cave known as Reed Flute Cave was developed over 180 million years ago. It has really been a tourist destination for more than 1,200 years, even though it was only formally established as one in 1962.
More than 70 inscriptions, some of which date as far back as 792 A.D., have been inscribed in pen on the cave’s walls, a tribute to its popularity over time. These inscriptions show that, even throughout the Tang Dynasty (618–907), the cave has been a popular tourist destination.
The cave was undiscovered for many years until it was discovered and utilized as a hiding spot in the 1940s by a group of Chinese refugees who were trying to escape Japanese forces during World War II. The 240-meter-long cave is home to an amazing variety of stalactites, stalagmites, stone columns, and other karst formations.
The water seeping through the limestone has deposited calcium carbonate, which has formed all of these amazing alien forms. Little calcium carbonate particles are left behind by the water as it hits the floor, and these particles gradually rise upward to create stalagmites.
Small calcium carbonate deposits left behind by the water dropping from the cave’s roof ultimately crystallize into stalactites.
The average annual growth rate of the stalactites and stalagmites in Reed Flute Cave is believed to be around 1 millimeter.
After entering the cave at Bright Light Hill, visitors follow a U-shaped trail that finally takes them to an exit nearby. To go around the entire cave at a steady pace, about one hour is needed.
The cave floor is damp and muddy, and even in warm weather, the cave tends to be very cold, thus it is highly advised that you wear adequate footwear and layers of clothing. The interior of the cave has been exquisitely illuminated with various colored lights.
The cave has an almost supernatural atmosphere, as though you are traveling through a realm straight out of a fairy tale, thanks to the rainbow of colors that illuminate and reflect off of the odd formations of the rock.
The Dragon Pagoda, Mushroom Hill, the Red Curtain, and Pines in the Snow are just a few of the wacky names given to various rock formations you’ll see throughout the cave. Even a rock formation that resembles the Statue of Liberty exists.
With enough for little more than 1,000 people, the Crystal Palace grotto is arguably the most stunning feature of the cave. There is a stalagmite in this grotto that seems to be shaped like a human. According to legend, this stalagmite was once a visiting scholar who came to Reed Flute Cave to write a poem that would adequately depict its magnificence.
He ultimately turned to stone since he had been in the cave for so long attempting to come up with the appropriate words for his poetry. Reed Flute Cave is now known as “Nature’s Art Palace” because of the abundance of stunning rock formations like this.
Unfortunately, unless you are using specialized photography equipment, it is quite impossible to acquire any quality images within the cave due to its extreme darkness.
However, there is camera equipment set up at several of the cave’s stations, such as the Crystal Palace, where visitors may pay to have their picture taken in close proximity to some of the more amazing rock formations.
These photos also make a great memento, as do the reed flutes that are for sale at the cave’s entrance and exit. A park including multiple magnificent pavilions, ponds with crystal clear water, exquisitely etched stone bridges, and an abundance of vibrant flowerbeds has been constructed at the cave’s mouth. It’s the perfect spot to unwind following a strenuous cavern hike.
Although they are not particularly frequent, public buses do operate between Guilin City and Reed Flute Cave; thus, we advise you to check the bus schedule in advance.
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