National Parks of China
Overview
| Designation | National Park of China (third batch) |
| Province | Liaoning |
| Location | Eastern outskirts of Benxi, Liaoning |
| Latitude, longitude | 41.3, 124.1 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Caves, underground river |
| Top sights | The water cave |
| Area | 44 km² |
| Length | 3,000 m |
| Nearby cities | Harbin, Changchun, Dalian |
| Nearby sites | Qianshan, Mukden Palace, Shenyang, Phoenix Mountain, Qingshangou, Yalu River, Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom, Mount Yiwulü |
| Themes | Caves, Underground rivers, Hills, Hot springs & geothermal |
About
The Benxi Water Cave lies in Xiake Mountain on the north-east edge of the Qianshan range, 28 km from the centre of Benxi, Liaoning, and is claimed as the longest water-filled cave yet found in the world. The scenic area, centred on the cave, includes the Hot Spring Temple, Miaohoushan, Guanmenshan, Tanggou and Tiechashan.
The cave runs south-east in three parts, the water cave, the dry cave and the outflow cave. The underground river is 2,800 m long with a volume of over 400,000 m³; its maximum flow is over 14,000 tonnes, average depth 1.5 m, greatest depth 7 m, and the widest chamber is 38 m high and 50 m wide.
The dry cave, also Panlong Cave, is 300 m long with two parallel entrances. The hot spring at the Hot Spring Temple is 44 °C with a flow of over 400 tonnes a day. The Miaohoushan site is an early Palaeolithic cave site, the oldest in north-east China.
It is in the third batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1994.
Travel tips
Getting there: the caves are about 28 km east of Benxi city. It is about an hour from Shenyang to Benxi, then a park shuttle or taxi to the caves.
In the caves: first walk through the dry cave (the Coiled Dragon Cave), then take a boat through the water cave. The boat follows the underground river, lit inside, and the roof height varies widely.
Route: the whole visit takes about an hour, mostly by boat in the water cave, and after leaving you can walk to the Hot Spring Temple area.
Nearby: Guanmenshan, Tanggou, Tiechashan and Miaohoushan are close to the caves, with hill and water scenery and autumn colour.
Season: the cave is cool all year and more pleasant in summer; Guanmenshan has good autumn leaves, and winter brings ice and snow.
Time: two hours for the caves alone; a day with the nearby areas.
Where to stay: Benxi city is easiest, or make a day trip from Shenyang.
Caution: the cave is cool and damp, so bring a jacket; wear a life jacket on the boat and follow staff instructions.