Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (fifth batch) |
| Province | Guizhou |
| Location | East of Tongren, Guizhou |
| Mountains | Wuling Mountains |
| Latitude, longitude | 27.6, 109.3 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Cave, underground river |
| Length | over 3,200 m |
| Nearby cities | Tongren (Guizhou), Fenghuang (Hunan) |
| Nearby sites | Fanjingshan 70km, Wuyang River 122km, Ziquejie Terraces 159km, Liping Dong Villages 163km, Meishan Dragon Palace 194km Search nearby |
| Themes | Cave, Hidden River, Karst, Rafting & boat trips |
About
Nine Dragon Cave lies about 17 km south-east of Tongren, Guizhou, on the northern edge of the Liulong hills of the Wuling range, backed by Nine Dragon Mountain and facing the Jin River, a tributary of the Yuan. The area has three sights: the cave, Guanyin Mountain and Squid Cave. The main cave is over 3,200 m long on two levels, a dry cave above and an underground river below.
Inside are stone flowers, curtains, birds and beasts, and dozens of stalagmite columns over 20 m high, the tallest 40 m high and 16 m across.
Other sights are the Jin River scenery, Dongshan Temple and Ming and Qing houses.
It is in the fifth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2004.
Travel tips
Getting there: Tongren has an airport and a high-speed railway station, Tongren South. From either go into the city, and from the city to the cave is about 17 km, roughly half an hour by road.
Layout: three sites, Jiulongdong cave, Guanyin Hill and Youyu Cave, plus the Jinjiang River scenery, Dongshan Temple and old Ming and Qing houses.
The cave: the main cave is over 3,200 m long on two levels. The upper level is dry and is walked along boardwalks, and the lower level carries an underground river. The visit mostly follows the upper level and takes one to two hours.
By the river: outside the cave the Jinjiang River has a riverside path, and Dongshan Temple and the old street are close by.
Time: half a day is enough; combine with Fanjingshan and stay a night.
Season: the cave is cool all year, which is welcome in summer. Spring and summer are rainy and the water inside can be high after rain.
Where to stay: Tongren city has many hotels.
Nearby: Tongren is the usual base for Fanjingshan, about an hour and a half from the city to the foot of the mountain. The ancient town of Fenghuang, in Hunan, is about an hour away by road.
Caution: the cave is damp and the steps are slippery, so wear shoes with grip and bring a jacket.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Fanjingshan 70km, Wuyang River 122km, Shibing Karst (Yuntai Mountain) 133km, Laosicheng Site 163km |
| National parks | Fenghuang Ancient Town 43km, Dehang 86km, Shiqian Hot Springs 109km, Liye and Wulong Mountain 123km |
| AAAAA attractions | Wulingshan Grand Rift Valley Scenic Area 64km, Zhenyuan Ancient Town Scenic Area 112km, Youyang Peach Blossom Spring Scenic Area 144km, Zhuoshui Scenic Area 192km |
| AAAA attractions | Daming Border City 14km, Zhongnanmen Historical and Cultural Tourism Area 16km, Cinnabar Ancient Town 24km, Miao King City 36km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark 127km |
| Historic cities | Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County 42km, Fenghuang County 42km |
| Cities | Fenghuang 38km |
| Historical sites | Dongshan Ancient Building Complex 16km, Wanshan Mercury Mine Site 17km, Fenghuang Ancient Fortress 29km |
| National geoparks | Fenghuang National Geopark 45km, Hongshilin National Geopark 133km, Youyang National Geopark 144km |
| Nature reserves | Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve 70km, Huangsang National Nature Reserve 73km, Fodingshan National Nature Reserve 129km, Gaowangjie National Nature Reserve 134km |