Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area

Basic Facts

Name: Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area, Benxi Shuidong National Park
Chinese Name: 本溪水洞
Location: Along Taizi River, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) to the northeast of Benxi City in Liaoning Province
Length: Approximately 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles), of which 2.8 kilometers (1.7 miles) are accessible to visitors
Area: Around 3.6 hectares (9 acres)

Water Cave

Benxi Water Cave 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.

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.

Geological Museum

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.

Kingdom of Silicified Wood

There are 619 petrified trees in the kingdom, 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.

Tips

1. Bring a jacket to resist the low temperature in the cave.
2. Mind your step because it’s slippery inside.
3. Please follow the fixed route on your visit.
4. Bring some snacks in case you are hungry. There is only one restaurant in the Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area. Meals are expensive.

How to get to Benxi Water Cave from Shenyang

1. Take a train from Shenyang Railway Station to Benxi.
2. Take a bus from SK Passenger Transport Station to Benxi. It is located at No. 61, South Shengli Street, close to Shenyang Railway Station. Buses are available from 06:00 to 19:30. Fare is around CNY 24.

Then take a bus to Xiaoshi from the central passenger transportation center in Benxi (also called Dongfen Passenger Transport Station, located at No. 166, North Jiefang Road), and get off at Benxi Water Cave. It costs CNY 10.5 per person. Duration is around 30 minutes.
 
Admission Fee Water Cave, Geological Museum and Kingdom of Silicified Wood April 1 to October 31: CNY 150
November 1 to next March 31: CNY 110
Water Cave and Geological Museum April 1 to October 31: CNY 120
November 1 to next March 31: CNY 80
Kingdom of Silicified Wood CNY 35
Taizi River Rafting CNY 20
Thai Performance Garden CNY 60
Note: Children below 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) enjoy free entry.
Battery Car CNY 15 per person
Opening Hours April 1 to October 31: 08:30 -17:00
November 1 to next March 31: 09:30 -16:00
Best Time to Go May to October
- Last updated on Jun. 25, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area
Asked by Elizabeth from US | Jun. 24, 2023 02:36Reply
recommendations for hotels to stay in in Benxi? Do you need to book in advance for July?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jenny | Jun. 25, 2023 19:06
00Reply


Do you mean hotels in Benxi County? It is suggested to stay in Yitel Collection (Benxi Passenger Transport Terminal) located in No. 143 Jiefang North Road, Mingshan District, Benxi. It is pretty close to the city center.
Asked by Vanessa from BELGIUM | Apr. 12, 2019 18:24Reply
How long does the bus from SK Passenger Transport Station to Benxi take?
While in Shenyang I would like to spend a day at Benxi, by taking the bus in the morning and then a train back in the evening. The train takes less than an hour so that's fine, but what about the bus? For the schedule, is it a bus every half hour? Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Ryan from FINLAND | Apr. 16, 2019 01:57
00Reply


Generally speaking, the duration is 70 to 80mins. The bus schedules are from 06:20 to 16:52 every 10 to 20 mins.
Asked by Patsy from SINGAPORE | Feb. 21, 2019 23:44Reply
Can we deposit 20” luggage while visiting benxi water cave ?
Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Sadie from CANADA | Feb. 27, 2019 00:16
00Reply


As I know, the scenic area doesn't provide left luggage service. Thus you can put the luggage at the bus station.
Asked by Wafiy from SINGAPORE | Apr. 02, 2018 08:08Reply
What is the exact address of the entrance of the water cave in Beixi Liaoning?
Where to buy admission tickets? Is it at the entrance?
Answers (1)
Answered by Iris from ITALY | Apr. 02, 2018 21:14
00Reply


It’s located in Xiejie Waizi Village, Manchu Autonomous County. The ticket should be got form the tourist service center, which is near the entrance. Don’t worry! There are many visitors and it’s easy to find!
Ask a Question
Question Summary (100 characters)
Details (optional) (2,000 characters)
NameCountryEmail