Zhangzhou Longkong Cave Scenic Area: Exploring the Wonders of Karst Caves

Overview of the Scenic Area Zhangzhou Longkong Cave Scenic Area is located in Longyan County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province (previously under Pinghe County, Zhangzhou City). It is a typical karst cave landscape formed 270 million years ago. Known for its vast scale and unique scenery, it is hailed as the "Number One Cave in East China." Covering a total area of approximately 10 square kilometers, the scenic area includes cave clusters, Longtan Lake, and ecological trails, making it a comprehensive destination for geological sightseeing, ecological tourism, and educational activities. Transportation Guide Driving Routes From Zhangzhou: Take the Shenhai Expressway and transfer to the Yongguan Expressway, exit at Pinghe, and drive along Provincial Road S207. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. From Xiamen: Take the Xiamen-Chengdu Expressway and transfer to the Yongguan Expressway. The drive takes about 2 hours. Parking: The scenic area has three parking lots with a total of 500 spaces (10 RMB/day). Public Transportation From Zhangzhou: Take the "Zhangzhou-Pinghe" bus from the West Bus Station (one bus per hour, ticket price 25 RMB). Transfer to the "Pinghe-Longkong Cave" shuttle bus at Pinghe Bus Station (four buses daily, ticket price 15 RMB). From Xiamen: Take the bus to Pinghe from Fanghu Bus Station (six buses daily, ticket price 45 RMB). Transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus or take a taxi (approximately 80 RMB). Tickets and Opening Hours Ticket Information Peak Season (April-October): Adult Ticket: 90 RMB Student/Senior Ticket: 45 RMB (with valid ID) Off-Season (November-March): Adult Ticket: 70 RMB Student/Senior Ticket: 35 RMB Combo Ticket Discounts: Cave + Boat: 110 RMB Family Package (2 adults + 1 child): 220 RMB Opening Hours Summer: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM (ticket sales end at 4:30 PM) Winter: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (ticket sales end at 4:00 PM) Recommended Visit Duration: 3-4 hours Highlights of the Scenic Area 1. Cave Wonders Dragon Palace Hall (Approx. 30 minutes): Covering an area of 2,000 square meters, with the highest point of the cave ceiling reaching 36 meters, it can accommodate up to 500 people. The hall features numerous stone pillars, with the largest "Sky Pillar" having a diameter of 5 meters. Galaxy Waterfall (Approx. 20 minutes): A stone waterfall 18 meters wide, illuminated by colorful lights, resembling a cascading galaxy. It is a popular spot for photography. Crystal Palace (Approx. 25 minutes): Composed of dense calcite crystals, the palace glows in seven colors under the lights, creating a fairy-tale-like atmosphere. 2. Surface Attractions Longtan Lake Boat Ride (Approx. 30 minutes): Choose between electric boats (40 RMB/boat) or pedal boats (30 RMB/boat), with a maximum capacity of 4 people per boat. Ecological Trail (Approx. 1 hour): A 2.5-kilometer circular wooden walkway featuring three viewing platforms and multiple rest areas. Recommended Itineraries Classic Half-Day Tour (3 hours) Scenic Area Entrance (10 minutes) Longtan Lake Boat Ride (30 minutes) Cave Exploration (1.5 hours): Dragon Palace Hall Crystal Palace Galaxy Waterfall Ecological Trail (30 minutes) Return In-Depth Full-Day Tour (6 hours) Morning: Full Ecological Trail (1.5 hours) Longtan Lake Boat Ride (30 minutes) Lunch: Dining at the scenic area restaurant (1 hour) Afternoon: Full Cave Exploration (2 hours) Photography at Viewing Platforms (30 minutes) Return Practical Tips Clothing Recommendations Shoes: Wear non-slip athletic shoes (humidity inside the cave exceeds 85%). Clothing: Summer: Bring a light jacket (temperature difference between inside and outside the cave is about 10°C). Winter: Regular winter clothing is sufficient (cave temperature is a constant 18°C). Photography Tips Equipment: Wide-angle lens recommended (spacious cave interiors). Small tripod allowed (requires prior approval). Settings: ISO: 800-1600 Shutter speed: No less than 1/30 seconds Restricted Areas: Flash photography is prohibited (damages stalactites). Safety Guidelines Follow the guide throughout the tour (free commentary every 30 minutes). Pay attention to cave warning signs (some areas have a height limit of 1.5 meters). Visitors with heart conditions or high blood pressure should exercise caution. Touching stalactites is strictly prohibited (fines range from 200 to 2,000 RMB). Dining and Accommodation Dining Options Dragon Palace Restaurant (Average cost: 50 RMB/person): Specialties: Rock Mushroom Chicken Soup, Hakka Stuffed Tofu Recommended: Cave specialty "Stone Bamboo Shoot Scrambled Eggs" Lakeside Snacks (Average cost: 20 RMB/person): Offers local specialties such as Pinghe Guanxi Pomelo and Luxi Pickled Vegetables. Accommodation Recommendations Within the Scenic Area: Longkong Cave Mountain Villa (Three-star, starting at 328 RMB/night) Special Treehouse (requires booking one week in advance, starting at 588 RMB/night) Best Travel Seasons By Month April-May: Blooming flowers outside the cave, pleasant temperatures. July-August: Best season for escaping the heat (cave temperature is a constant 18°C). October-November: Clear skies and optimal visibility. By Time of Day Morning: Avoid peak crowds (tour groups usually arrive in the afternoon). Weekdays: Fewer visitors, better experience. Day after rain: Enhanced water features inside the cave, more spectacular views. Nearby Attractions Within 1 Hour Drive Lingtong Rock (50 minutes): Suspended Temple Wonders Qingyun Waterfall Sanping Temple (1 hour): Thousand-year-old temple National 4A Scenic Area Within 2 Hours Drive Nanjing Tulou (1.5 hours): World Cultural Heritage Site "Four Dishes and One Soup" Tianluokeng Cluster Dongshan Island (2 hours): Coastal resort destination Wind Rock Scenic Area Special Notes Reservation Services: Group tours (10 or more people) require booking 3 days in advance. Special needs (wheelchair users) can apply for accessibility services. Environmental Tips: Smoking is prohibited throughout the scenic area. Garbage must be sorted (violators face fines of 50-200 RMB). Network Signal: No signal inside the cave (handle important matters in advance). Scenic area WiFi covers main rest areas. As one of Fujian's most representative karst cave scenic areas, Longkong Cave not only showcases fascinating geological wonders but also offers a rich tourism experience. Whether you're planning a family outing, a romantic date, or an educational trip, this destination caters to all. It is recommended to plan your itinerary in advance and avoid peak hours for the best experience.