Reed Flute Cave, Guilin

Introduction & Highlights

Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan) is the most celebrated of Guilin's many karst caverns and one of the city's signature sights. The cave takes its name from the reeds that once grew thickly around its mouth, which local people cut and fashioned into flutes. Inside, a 240-million-year-old limestone cavern unfolds into a fantasy world of stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, draperies and flowstone, all bathed in shifting coloured light. Long prized as a "natural art palace," the cave has drawn visitors for centuries — more than seventy ink inscriptions on its walls, some over a thousand years old, record the wonder of earlier travellers.

The undisputed star is the Crystal Palace of the Dragon King, a cavernous hall where a still pool reflects the illuminated formations above to create a flawless mirror image. Other named formations along the route — such as the "Pine in the Snow," "Virgin Forest" and "Crystal Palace" — invite you to spot the shapes the rock and light suggest. The full walk covers roughly 420 metres on a one-way looped path and takes about 40 to 50 minutes at a relaxed pace.

Opening Hours

Reed Flute Cave is open daily. Hours shift slightly with the season: roughly 07:30–18:00 from 1 April to 31 October, and 08:00–17:30 from 1 November to 31 March. The last entry is usually around 30 minutes before closing. Because operating hours and last-admission times can change for holidays or maintenance, please treat these as a guide and confirm on site or with your hotel before you set out.

Tickets

The standard adult ticket is around 90 RMB, with a half-price ticket (about 45 RMB) for eligible children and students. Children under 1.2 metres in height generally enter free. Minors aged 6 to 18 typically qualify for a discount, and you may be asked to show a passport or ID when redeeming an online ticket. Prices are subject to change, so verify the current fare at the gate or through an official booking channel.

Getting There

The cave sits in the northwest of Guilin, on the slope of Guangming Hill (Bright Hill), about 5–6 kilometres from the city centre near the Li River and Peach Blossom River area. Public bus routes 3 and 213 run to the Reed Flute Cave stop; a taxi or ride-hail from downtown takes roughly 15–20 minutes. Many travellers combine the cave with a half-day Guilin city tour, as it pairs well with nearby Seven Star Park and the river scenery.

Best Season to Visit

The cave's interior temperature stays cool and steady all year, so it is a comfortable visit in any season — and a particularly refreshing one during Guilin's hot, humid summers (June to August). Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most pleasant weather for combining the cave with outdoor Guilin scenery. Try to avoid the busiest national holiday periods, such as the early-October Golden Week, when queues inside the narrow passages can be long.

Practical Tips

The guided route is one-way, so you move at the pace of the group around you; arriving early or late in the day gives you more breathing room and better photos. Photography is allowed, but tripods may be restricted and flash struggles in the low light — a steady hand and the cave's own coloured lighting usually produce the best shots. Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes for the damp paved paths, and bring a thin layer for the constant cool air. Allow about 40–50 minutes for the cave itself, plus time for the entrance plaza and gardens.