Dongtian Xianjing: A Journey Through the Spectacular Caves of the First Pit in South China

The Origin of the Name "Tiancheng Cave"
The original name of "Dongtian Xianjing" is "Tiancheng Cave". This name is straightforward and vividly conveys the core feature of the scenic area. A clear underground river named Huanghua Xi flows through the mountain, eroding and shaping a huge cavity in the thick limestone mountain body. The rock layer at the cave ceiling is not completely sealed, and two large natural "windows" allow the light and shadows of the sky to enter the deep cave, creating a breathtaking spectacle of "a world within a cave, connecting the sky and the earth". This composite karst landform of river flowing through the rock and light shining from the top is extremely rare in South China, hence earning the titles of "Tiankeng" and "Wonderland". 

The Soul of Mythology - The Blessing Land Protected by the Nine Dragons
Apart from the astonishing geological causes, there are also touching myths here. It is said that in ancient times, this place was plagued by epidemics and the people lived in misery. Seeing this situation, the nine dragon sons of the Heavenly Emperor felt pity and descended to the mortal world. They used their dragon bodies to drill through mountains and tunnels, drawing the pure water from the source, purifying the land, and ultimately creating this blessed land of wonder. They named it "Nine Dragons" and remained here forever. To this day, on the rock walls inside the cave, one can still find stalactite formations resembling "Dragon Drinking Water" and "Group of Dragons Playing with Pearls", as if telling this ancient story of protection. 

Deep Understanding: Discover More Spectacular Karst Landscapes in China >> [Lijiang River, Guilin] | [Stone Forest, Yunnan]

The charm of the Heavenly Realm lies in its multi-layered and multi-perspective three-dimensional landscape system. From the depth of the underground river, to the vitality of the forest inside the cave, and to the awe-inspiring view of the sky above, every step is filled with the joy of discovery. 

Nature's Creation - A Masterpiece Carved Over Eons
Here lies the essence of karst landforms, with each landscape a masterpiece crafted by time and water.
The Sky Twin Caves - A Spectacular Cavern Wonder: The most captivating aspect of this scenic area is the two massive sky windows above. Sunlight pours down from a height of several tens of meters, refracting in the water vapor within the cave, creating a clearly visible "fantasy beam" (Tyndall effect). It is especially magnificent at noon, resembling a beam of light cast by a deity, and is hailed by tourists as the "time tunnel". The light moves within the cave over time, causing the vegetation, rock walls, and water surfaces to transform into different colors and expressions.
Riverboat in the Underground River - Cave Gallery: Taking a slow boat ride into the dark entrance of the cave is a classic way to embark on an exploration journey. The river meanders, and on both sides and above is a myriad of stalactites, stalagmites, and stalagmaliths. Under the carefully designed lighting, they transform into "Lingui Offering of Longevity", "Lotus Throne", and other wonders, resembling a beam of light passing through a magnificent and profound underground art palace.
Cave Ecology - A Secret Oasis: Unlike many dry caves, the cave wonderland, due to the presence of flowing water, natural light, and suitable temperature, nurtures a vibrant ecosystem within the cave. A land is covered with lush epiphytic plants, with ferns growing profusely, with swaying branches and leaves, full of primitive wild charm, and can be regarded as a miracle in geology.
Cave Wall Statues - Guanyin's Blessing: On one side of the cave wall, over billions of years, stalactites naturally formed a lifelike statue of Guanyin. She holds her hands together, with a solemn demeanor, standing quietly in the light and shadow, and is called "Guanyin's Blessing" by the locals, adding peace and spirituality to this natural wonder, attracting countless tourists to stop and pray. 

Humanistic Ingenuity - The Elevated Viewing Dimension
The ingenious intervention of human wisdom has provided a brand-new perspective for appreciating this natural wonder.
Jiulong Star Glass Observation Platform: Located on the cliff top of the scenic area's peak, this suspended glass observation platform is an adventurous choice for experiencing "wandering on the clouds". Standing on the transparent glass platform, one can not only overlook the entire basin like a giant emerald embedded in the mountains, but also fully capture the continuous beauty of the Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor from afar, with an extremely expansive and breathtaking view.
Sky-Piercing Suspended Walkway: This suspended walkway built along the steep rock wall is another way to deeply experience the grandeur of the cave. Ascending step by step, one can observe the details of stalactites from different heights and angles, feel the texture of the rock wall, and experience the "passing through the sky" atmosphere.
Circular Route for Water and Land Exploration: The scenic area ingeniously designed a circular tour route of "land entry and water exit" or "water entry and land exit". Tourists can first walk through the walkway to deeply explore the cave, then take a boat to easily and leisurely exit the cave; or they can do it in the opposite order. This design enriches the tour experience without repetition, allowing visitors to fully experience the beauty of the fairyland from various aspects of motion and stillness, height and lowliness, distance and nearness. 

Photography Tips:
The best spot for shooting the light beams in a sinkhole is in the central land area inside the cave. You need to capture the Tyndall effect during the noon hours on a clear day.
When taking photos while on a boat, you can use a high-sensitivity camera to capture the colorful reflections of stalactites under the light.
On the glass viewing platform, a wide-angle lens is suitable for shooting the panoramic view of the peak forest, but be aware of reflections and safety when standing below.
The "Guanyin Bestowing Blessing" statue is best photographed in a side-lighting environment, making its outline appear more solemn.

Five things you must do to unlock the complete Wonderland journey
1. Sailing through the darkness to welcome a sudden burst of light.
Experience: You must experience the process of taking a small boat from the underground river into the cave. As the small boat quietly glides into the darkness through the vine-covered cave entrance, and then you see the sky, forest, and cliffs in the spacious cave hall, the awe-inspiring feeling is unparalleled, reminiscent of the idyllic Peach Blossom Spring described in the poem "At first it was extremely narrow, barely wide enough for a person to pass through, but after walking a few dozen steps, it suddenly opened up into a bright and spacious place."
2. Pause and look up, capturing the "light of fairyland".
Key point: Midday on a clear day is the essence of the visit! Be sure to time it perfectly and wait in the center of the cave for the sunlight to stream through the skylight like holy light, casting the famous "fairyland beam" – this is the most iconic moment of the cave wonderland.
3. Challenge yourself at the glass viewing platform and overlook the breathtaking panorama of the karst peaks.
Experience: Muster your courage and step onto the "Star of Nine Dragons" all-glass observation deck. After overcoming your fear of heights, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view—a hidden sinkhole below and a forest of peaks before you, offering a truly divine perspective of the Yingxi Karst Forest.
4. Seek out the cliffside Guanyin statue and offer quiet prayers.
Cultural Interaction: Carefully search for the natural "Guanyin Bestowing Blessings" image inside the cave. In the tranquil atmosphere, facing this sacred image created by nature's divine craftsmanship, make a wish and feel the dialogue between nature and your soul.
5. Stroll along the suspended walkway and admire the stalactites and stalagmites.
Fun Experience: Ditch the means of transportation and walk the entire suspended walkway on foot. You can stop at any time to observe the stalactites named "Dragon Drinking Water" and "Dragons Playing with a Pearl" up close, and unleash your imagination to create your own rock story.

Suggested tour routes
Half-day "Core Wonders" whirlwind tour (suitable for those with limited time):
Arrive at 10:00 AM: Choose the "land route" and walk into the cave from the scenic area entrance along the suspended walkway (approximately 40 minutes) → Explore the central area inside the cave, admire the "Guanyin Blessing" and the cave forest, and wait to photograph the "Fairyland Beams" at noon (approximately 1 hour) → Take a small boat from the cave dock and exit through the waterway to enjoy the cave scenery from different angles (approximately 20 minutes) → End of tour.
IntoTravelChina advises: This itinerary is packed, focusing on the key wonders. Be sure to check the weather in advance to ensure a clear day for the best beam effect.

A one-day "deep panoramic" tour (highly recommended):
Morning: Follow the above "speed tour" route to complete the boat trip and tour of the core area inside the cave.
Afternoon: After disembarking, don't rush to leave the scenic area. Head towards the "Nine Dragons Star Glass Viewing Platform" at the top of the mountain along the hiking trail (climbing for about 30-40 minutes) → Take plenty of photos at the viewing platform and overlook the panoramic view of the sinkhole and Yingxi Karst Forest (stay for about 30 minutes) → You can choose to experience downhill activities such as the glass slide (optional), or slowly walk down the same route → In the afternoon, the light is soft, so you can stroll along the Huanghuaxi River outside the scenic area and take pictures of the reflection of the karst forest in the water → Return home with lots of memories.
IntoTravelChina's advantages: We can book the most suitable itinerary combination for you, arrange transportation, and provide detailed scenic area maps and suggestions for the best time to take photos, allowing you to travel in depth with ease and without worry.

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How to get there: The Back Garden of the Pearl River Delta
Dongtian Xianyi is located around the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration, with convenient transportation and is ideal for weekend short trips.
Self-driving (most recommended): Start from Guangzhou, take the Guangqing Expressway and Qinglian Expressway, exit at Jiulong, and the entire journey takes about 2-2.5 hours. The scenic area has a parking lot.
Public transportation: You can take the high-speed rail to Yingdexi Station, then transfer to the bus to reach Jiulong Town. Or take the special bus from the urban area of Qingyuan to Yingde-Jiulong Town.
Group tours/chartered buses: There are one-day tour products starting from Guangzhou, usually connecting with nearby attractions such as Gulongjia, etc., which is convenient and hassle-free. 

Best Touring Periods
Any season is suitable, but the climate and landscape experiences in spring and autumn are the most comfortable.
Golden Season for Spring and Autumn (March to May, September to November): The climate is mild, the rainfall is moderate, the humidity inside the cave is appropriate, and outside, the mountains and forests are lush or the forest colors are splendid. This is the best time for touring and photography.
Summer Cooling Season (June to August): The cave has a constant cool temperature, which is a natural "air-conditioning room" and is very suitable for cooling off. However, this is also the rainy season, and the waterfall has abundant water flow. The light inside the cave may become more dreamy due to the water vapor, and it is necessary to pay attention to slip prevention.
Winter Quiet Season (December to February): There are fewer tourists, allowing for a peaceful touring environment. The temperature inside the cave is still higher than outside, making it suitable for a quiet exploration. 

Tickets and Tips
Ticket Information: The price of an adult ticket is approximately 68 yuan. Additional tickets are usually required for activities such as the boat tour, glass viewing platform, and glass slide within the scenic area.
Suggested Clothing: Some of the paths inside the cave are wet, so it is necessary to wear waterproof hiking shoes or sports shoes. In summer, a light jacket should be prepared to prevent the temperature difference between inside and outside the cave.
Accommodation Options: If you plan a multi-day tour of Yingxi Fenglin, you can stay in a characteristic guesthouse in Jiulong Town or Huanghua Town to experience the tranquility of the countryside. There are more hotel options in the Qingyuan urban area. 

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"Dongtian Xianjing" is not only a concept of an ideal realm in Taoism, but also a vivid portrayal of a series of natural wonders and cultural treasures from southwestern China to southern China. This route will take you from the leisurely and spicy atmosphere of the Sichuan Basin, traverse the karst wonderland of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, cruise along the misty waters of the Li River in Guilin, and finally arrive at the ancient commercial capital of the flower city in the south of China, completing a deep exploration of both geography and culture. 

Classic 9-day Circuit: Chengdu (The Land of Abundance) → Guiyang (The City of Coolness) → Guilin (The Landscapes Supreme in the World) → Guangzhou (The Wondrous Realm of Heaven). This is a panoramic journey that combines natural wonders, ethnic minority cultures and modern urban vitality. >> View the 9-day highlight tour of Southwest and South China

The story of the Heavenly Realm is about the pulsating earth over the past 200 million years, the patient carving by flowing water, and humanity's eternal yearning for the Heavenly Realm. IntoTravelChina focuses on creating deep, personalized, and worry-free travel experiences in China. Our travel experts can offer you:
Tailored itineraries: Design perfect routes that include the Heavenly Realm, Yingxi Peak Forest, and the entire northern Guangdong landscape based on your interests and time.
One-stop services: Handle tickets, special accommodations, seamless transportation connections, local guides, and activity reservations.
Exclusive experiences: Arrange the best photography time tours, guidance for less-known viewing spots, and tastings of local farm specialties. 

Make your journey to the mystical wonderland not just a fleeting glance, but a profound face-to-face dialogue with the Earth's epic story.
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