Longyou Grottoes is located 1 kilometer east of Longyou North Bus Station, representing a large-scale underground architectural complex that has been dormant beneath the ground for a millennium. Within an area of nearly one square kilometer, there are 24 artificially excavated caves of varying sizes, distributed seemingly in a pattern, with a grand scale. Currently, five caves have been developed and visitors can descend into the caves along stone steps for a tour. The scenic area is an open park with lakes and various pavilions and towers; admission is only charged upon entering the caves, while strolling around the park is free of charge. Within the scenic area, you can also see undeveloped caves, which are submerged in water and blocked by barriers. Upon entering the scenic area, you first arrive at a screening room to watch a documentary about the discovery and excavation of the grottoes. The origin of Longyou Grottoes is a subject of much debate, with theories ranging from underground pyramids to storage facilities for grain and military use dating back to the Western Han Dynasty, and even suggestions that they were left by extraterrestrials. Local elders often say that this place used to be a quarry, where stones from the ground were excavated to build the walls of Longyou… The enigmatic history of Longyou Grottoes has attracted many visitors to explore its mysteries. After leaving the screening room and walking along the path, you will soon reach the visiting area. The entrances to the grottoes are all at a higher elevation, and as you descend step by step, it becomes increasingly cooler. Especially in the summer, when the outside is scorching, entering the grottoes brings a refreshing chill. In fact, Longyou Grottoes do not provide a strong visual impact like natural karst caves or the sculptures of Longmen Grottoes. At first glance, you might think it’s just a large cave with dim lighting, damp ground, and seemingly nothing else. However, if you observe closely, you will notice that the cave ceilings and stone pillars bear marks of what appear to be intentional decorations by ancient people, distributed evenly and regularly; each cave varies in size, but there are always several thick stone pillars supporting the roof; at the bottom of each cave, there is one to two stone pools and artificial slopes carved out; not far from the entrance of Cave No. 1, there are cliff carvings of fish, horses, and birds… Every visitor here wonders who built such a massive underground grotto and what it was used for. The ornamental value of the grotto itself is secondary. After visiting the grottoes, you can proceed to the nearby Longyou Folk House for further exploration, which is a drive of about ten minutes away. Opening hours are from 08:00 to 16:30 all year round. Preferential policies include: Children: Free for those under 1.2 meters (not included); half price for those between 1.2 meters (included) and 1.5 meters (included). Elderly: Free for those aged 70 and above with ID or senior citizen card; half price for those aged 60 to 69 with ID or senior citizen card. Military personnel: Free for active-duty military with valid documents. Students: Half price for students with valid student IDs. Veterans: Free for veterans with valid documents. Martyrs’ families, families of those who died in service, and families of deceased military personnel: Free with valid documents. Service facilities: Parking lot: [Longyou Grottoes Parking Lot] Reference price: ¥10 per hour; Address: Entrance of Longyou Grottoes; Spaces: 60.
Longyou Grottoes
Longyou Grottoes is located 1 kilometer east of Longyou North Bus Station, representing a large-scale underground architectural complex that has […]
