Tenglong Cave Scenic Area, the “Largest Cave in Asia”

In the mountains of Lichuan City, Enshi, Hubei Province, there is a shocking geological wonder-Tenglongdong Scenic Area. It is famous all over the world for its “majestic, strange, dangerous, secluded, and beautiful”. It is the largest proven cave in Asia and one of the six most beautiful tourist caves in China. The stalactites in the cave are colorful, the underground dark rivers are rushing endlessly, the green mountains outside the cave are surrounded by gurgling streams, and there are also unique laser shows and Tujia song and dance performances. The perfect blend of natural wonders and humanities and arts can be called a “museum in the cave”. ​

Location and transportation​

Tenglongdong Scenic Area is located at No. 1 Tenglong Avenue, Dongcheng Street, Lichuan City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province. It is located at the junction of Hubei and Chongqing. It is about 6 kilometers away from Lichuan City and about 120 kilometers away from Enshi City. It takes about 2.5 hours by car. It is one of the representative attractions in the Enshi Tourist circle. ​

Recommended transportation method​

1. Public transportation：​

• If you are departing from Enshi, you can take a bus to Icheon City at Enshi Bus Terminal (which departs on a rolling basis every day, the journey takes about 2 hours and the fare is about 30 yuan); after arriving in Icheon City, transfer to a local bus (such as No. 6, tourist line) or a taxi to the scenic area (about 15 minutes by car from the city to the scenic area)., The taxi fare is about 15-20 yuan). ​

• If you are departing from Chongqing, you can take the high-speed rail to Lichuan Station (about 1.5 hours by car). After leaving the station, it takes only 20 minutes to take a taxi to the scenic area and the cost is about 25 yuan. ​

2. Self-driving travel: Navigate to “Lichuan Tenglong Cave Scenic Area Visitor Center.” The roads around the scenic area are flat and suitable for self-driving. The scenic area features a large parking lot with fees of approximately 15 yuan per day. When driving from downtown Lichuan, simply proceed straight along Tenglong Avenue. Clear road signs are provided along the route, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost.

3. Local follow-up group: Both Enshi and Lichuan offer one-day tour packages to Tenglong Cave, with some itineraries also incorporating nearby attractions like Longchuan Water Village and Fobao Mountain. These tours include transportation, admission tickets, and guided services, making them ideal for travelers with limited time or those who prefer not to plan their own itinerary—offering both convenience and efficiency.

Ticket information​

Tenglong Cave tickets include cave tours, laser shows and cabaret performances (core experience items). A package ticket system is implemented. The specific prices are as follows：​

• Adult :150 yuan / person(including scenic area entrance ticket, cave sightseeing ticket, laser show ticket, ‘Yishui Lichuan’ song and dance performance ticket)；​

• Preferential policy：​

• Students (with valid student ID) and seniors aged 60-69 (with ID) can enjoy a half-price discount on the package,that is, 75 yuan / person.；​

• Children under 1.2 meters, the elderly over 70 years old (with ID card), the disabled (with disability card), and active-duty soldiers (with officer card and soldier card) are free of tickets, but the sightseeing fare in the cave is 20 yuan / person.；​

• Veterans (with their veteran’s certificate) can enjoy a half-price discount on tickets, that is, 75 yuan / person (including sightseeing cars and performance tickets). ​

• Ticket purchase reminder: It is recommended to purchase tickets on the official official account of the scenic area or travel platform (CTRIP, Meituan) 1 day in advance, you can enjoy a slight discount, and there is no need to exchange tickets on-site, directly swipe your ID card to enter the park; laser shows and cabaret performances have fixed sessions (usually laser shows 10:30/15:30, Cabaret performance 11:30/16:30, the details are subject to the notice of the scenic area on the same day), you need to pay attention to the time of the show after purchasing tickets to avoid missing it. ​

Attraction features​

The charm of Tenglong Cave lies in the fact that “there are caves in the cave, rivers in the cave, and scenery in the cave”. The core attractions cover natural wonders and humanistic experiences, and every place is amazing.：​

1. Tenglong Cave Main Cave (the largest cave in Asia)

The total length of the main cave is about 59.8 kilometers, and the entrance of the cave is 74 meters high and 64 meters wide, which is equivalent to 20 floors high. It can accommodate helicopters to pass through it, which is magnificent. Stepping into the cave is like entering an ‘underground palace”: there are a variety of stalactites hanging from the top of the cave, some like the “Dinghai God Needle” straight into the ground, some like the “Jade Pillar Qingtian” towering, and others are shaped like “birds and beasts”, lifelike. The temperature in the cave is maintained at 14-18℃ all year round, even in summer, it is cool and pleasant, and it is a natural “summer resort”; walking on the trail in the cave, you can still hear the sound of flowing water in the underground dark river, mysterious and quiet. ​

2. Laser show performance (the collision of technology and nature)​

The laser show is the “net celebrity project” of Tenglong Cave and is staged in the “Laser Theater” deep in the main cave. The performance uses the rock wall of the cave as the curtain, and uses advanced laser technology to project pictures of mountains, rivers, starry sky, and the migration of Tujia ancestors. With shocking sound effects, it seems to travel through time and space, telling the geological evolution of Tenglong Cave and the history of Tujia. The performance lasts for about 20 minutes. During the changes of light and shadow, stalactites and lasers are intertwined, making the dark cave colorful and visually impactful, suitable for tourists of all ages. ​

3. ‘Yishui Lichuan’ Song and Dance Performance (Tujia Cultural Feast)​

‘Yishui Lichuan’ is a large-scale live song and dance performance that shows the folk culture of the Tujia people. It is performed in the exclusive “song and Dance Theater” in the cave. The performance is themed on the historical legends and life customs of the Tujia people, and includes classic elements such as hand-waving dance, dragon boat tune, and wedding song. The actors are dressed in gorgeous Tujia costumes and use singing and dancing to interpret the enthusiasm and simplicity of the Tujia family. The theater relies on the natural acoustic effects of the cave. Without a microphone, the singing can be clearly transmitted to every corner. The immersive experience is full. After watching the performance, you can also have a deeper understanding of the Tujia culture. ​

4. Underground dark River (River in the cave)​

The underground dark River in Tenglongdong is called ‘Qingjiang Fuliu”. It is an underground river of the Qingjiang River with a total length of about 16 kilometers. The river is crystal clear and the water is turbulent. Visitors can watch the dark river in the designated area of the cave. In some sections, the river can be seen rushing out of the rock crevices, forming a small waterfall. The sound of water roars and is majestic. The rock walls on both sides of the dark River are covered with moss and stalactites, side by side with the river, like an “underground gallery”. ​

5. Wolong Thun River Waterfall (Spectacle Outside the cave)​

Outside the entrance of Tenglong Cave, there is a spectacular waterfall-Wolong Tunjiang Waterfall. The Qingjiang River flows through here and suddenly falls into the cave, forming a waterfall about 20 meters high and 30 meters wide. The water hits the rocks, splashes everywhere, and the roar is deafening. It can be heard from a distance of 100 meters. Standing on the observation deck next to the waterfall, you can not only enjoy the majestic momentum of the waterfall, but also see the picture of the waterfall and the entrance of Tamron Cave. It is a must-see landscape outside the cave, especially after the rain, the amount of water increases, and the waterfall is even more spectacular. ​

6. Zhidong Group (Niche Exploration Area)​

In addition to the main cave, Tenglong Cave also has a number of branch caves, such as “Guanyin Cave”, “Luohan Cave” and “Baiyushilin Cave”. At present, some branch caves have been opened to the public. Although the scale of the branch cave is not as large as the main cave, the stalactites are more unique in shape. For example, the “Statue of Guanyin” stalactites in Guanyin Cave are shaped like a seated Guanyin with a solemn expression. The stalactites in the white jade stone forest cave are as white as jade, arranged like a stone forest, niche and clean, suitable for tourists who like to explore. ​

Precautions​

1. Outfit recommendation：​

• Clothing: The temperature in the cave is 14-18℃ all year round, and the temperature difference between it and the outside of the cave is large (especially in summer). Regardless of the season, it is recommended to bring a thin coat (such as a sweater or jacket) to avoid catching cold.；​

• Shoes: Most of the trails in the cave are stone roads, and some sections are wet and slippery. You need to wear non-slip sports shoes or hiking shoes. Do not wear high heels or sandals to avoid falling.；​

• Others: The light in the cave is dark, so you can bring a flashlight (mobile phone flashlight is also available) to check the road conditions; if you want to take pictures, it is recommended to wear bright-colored clothing and take pictures in a dim environment. ​

2. Tour tips：​

• The tour route in the cave is long (the whole journey is about 3-4 kilometers). It is recommended to travel lightly and do not carry too much luggage. There are sightseeing cars in the scenic area (included in the ticket), which can reduce the walking distance. You need to pay attention to the stops of the sightseeing cars.；​

• Laser shows and cabaret performances are fixed. It is recommended to arrive at the theater 30 minutes in advance to occupy a seat. Especially during holidays, the theater has limited seats. You may only be able to stand and watch if you arrive late.；​

• The signal in the sub-area inside the cave is weak, so it is recommended to agree on the meeting time and place with your peers to avoid getting separated; you can download the scenic area map in advance to familiarize yourself with the tour route. ​

3. Safety and environmental protection：​

• Some sections of the cave are narrow, steep, and dimly lit. You need to support the guardrail when walking, pay attention to your feet, and don’t chase and fight; Don’t touch the stalactites. It takes tens of thousands of years for the stalactites to form, and touch will destroy their surface structure.；​

• It is strictly forbidden to dispose of garbage in the cave or in the dark river. There are trash cans along the scenic area, so the garbage needs to be sorted and put out; do not smoke in the cave to avoid safety accidents.；​

• When watching Wolong Tun River Waterfall, do not approach the edge of the guardrail to avoid getting wet or dangerous by splashing water. ​

4. Itinerary planning：​

• The scenic tour lasts about 4-5 hours (including performance time). It is recommended to enter the park before 9 o’clock in the morning. You can visit all the attractions calmly and avoid rushing in the afternoon.；​

• Summer (June-August) is the peak tourist season, and there are more tourists. It is recommended to travel at the wrong peak (such as working days) for a better experience; in winter (December-February), the cave is colder and you need to put on more clothes, but there are fewer tourists, which is suitable for quiet excursions.；​

• If you have plenty of time, you can connect Tamron Cave with other attractions in Icheon (such as Dragon Boat Water Village and Sumadang), and arrange a 2-day and 1-night itinerary to experience the beauty of Icheon in depth. ​

5. Other reminders：​

• There are restaurants and commissaries in the scenic area. You can taste Icheon specialties (such as Icheon small potatoes, hops, bacon), but the price is higher. You can also bring your own snacks and drinking water.；​

• The humidity in the cave is high, and electronic equipment such as cameras and mobile phones may be damp. It is recommended to bring a waterproof bag to avoid damage to the equipment.；​

• There are Tujia handicraft shops near the exit of the scenic area. You can buy special souvenirs such as Silankapu and bamboo weaving, but you need to consume rationally and pay attention to the quality. ​

Tenglong Cave is not only a geological wonder, but also a treasure house where nature and humanities blend. Here, you can not only sigh at the ingenuity of nature, but also immerse yourself in the cultural charm of the Tujia people. Whether it is a family trip, a group of friends, or a solo exploration, you can reap a unique experience. If you yearn for the ‘underground wonderland” and long for a cool and shocking trip, Tenglong Cave is definitely worth a visit.