Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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