Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (fifth batch) |
| Province | Anhui |
| Location | 35 km north-east of Guangde City, Anhui |
| Latitude, longitude | 30.9, 119.4 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Large cave |
| Top sights | The water cave |
| Length | 5,400 m |
| Nearby cities | Guangde (Anhui), Suzhou, Hangzhou |
| Nearby sites | Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City 80km, West Lake, Hangzhou 101km, Classical Gardens of Suzhou 123km, Huangshan (Yellow Mountains) 146km, Qiandao Lake 159km Search nearby |
| Themes | Cave, Karst, Hidden River, Rafting & boat trips |
About
Taiji Cave lies in Shilong Mountain 35 km north-east of Guangde, Anhui, where Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui meet. Over 5,400 m long, it is the largest natural cave in eastern China, with a dry cave and a water cave; the underground river surfaces at their mouths and flows into the Liudong River. A small lake 200 m from the entrance is called Inkstone Lake, where Fan Zhongyan is said to have practised calligraphy.
In May 2008 it was reported that discharges from the chemical industrial park at Taihua in Yixing, Jiangsu, had polluted the cave’s groundwater and the Liudong River, leaving over 70,000 people who drank from it short of water.
The Red Sun Hotel at Jianchuan village, costing nearly 10 million yuan, serves visitors to the cave.
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: the caves lie about 35 km north-east of Guangde. Take a bus or taxi from the town to the cave entrance, or come from Yixing, Changxing or Anji. Expressways connect Nanjing, Hangzhou and Suzhou with Guangde.
Layout: the caves are in two parts, a dry cave and a water cave. The dry cave is walked, and the water cave is entered by small boat.
Dry cave: follow the path through large chambers with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is spacious and lit at the high points.
Water cave: boats travel along the underground river, with a low roof, and in places you need to duck.
Time: each cave takes a little over an hour, so together they take half a day to a day.
Season: the temperature inside is cool and damp all year, cooler in summer and relatively warmer in winter, so any season is fine.
Where to stay: Guangde town has the most hotels, and there are farmhouse inns around the park.
Caution: the cave is slippery, so wear non-slip shoes and bring a jacket. Follow the boatman's directions in the water cave.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City 80km, West Lake, Hangzhou 101km, Classical Gardens of Suzhou 123km, Zhongshan (Purple Mountain), Nanjing 141km |
| National parks of China | Wuyishan National Park 387km |
| National parks | Mount Mogan 65km, Lake Tai 83km, Longchuan 112km, Caishi 123km |
| Detailed guides | The Three Hills of Lake Tai 87km |
| AAAAA attractions | Tianmu Lake Scenic Area 42km, Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area 88km, Xixi Wetland Tourist Area 94km, Nanxun Ancient Town Scenic Area 97km |
| AAAA attractions | Xianshan Lake 20km, Huihang Ancient Road Scenic Area 35km, China Bamboo Expo Park 42km, Xuanzhou Longquan Cave 42km |
| Historic cities | Yixing 65km, Huzhou 67km |
| Cities | Hangzhou 102km, Suzhou 123km, Nanjing 145km |
| Historical sites | Tianshou Temple Pagoda 2km, Qiliting Site 27km, Dipu City Site 29km |
| National geoparks | Suzhou Taihu Xishan National Geopark 94km, Jiangning Tangshan-Fangshan National Geopark 129km, Yashan National Geopark 147km |
| Nature reserves | Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve 60km, Tianmushan National Nature Reserve 60km, Lin'an Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve 97km, Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve 105km |
| Historic towns | Shuidong Town 44km |