### Scenic Spot Overview
**Location and Proximity:**
This scenic spot is nestled in Shilong Mountain, at the tri-junction of Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. Although administratively part of Xuancheng, it is conveniently close to Yixing, renowned for its bamboo sea and karst caves, just 35 kilometers away. It stands out as an excellent choice for those wishing to explore karst caves in southern Anhui.
**Historical Significance:**
In the Ming Dynasty, Feng Menglong extolled ‘Taiding Burial (Tai Chi Cave), Qiantang River Tide, Leizhou Drum Change, and Mirage’ as the four wonders of the world. The cave offers a unique climate, warm in winter and cool in summer, adorned with a variety of stalactites and stalagmites. It comprises both dry and water caves, offering exploration by foot or boat along the underground river.
### Visitor’s Guide
**Entrance and Initial Attractions:**
The scenic area’s entrance is in the south. Upon entering, you’ll first encounter Yanchi Lake, with several smaller attractions scattered along the path. It’s advised to head straight to the deep Tai Chi Cave to avoid the crowds and tour groups, visiting smaller attractions afterward.
**Cave Exploration:**
At the cave entrance, wait until a group of about 20 tourists forms, then a free guide will lead the group into the cave. The tour route is Y-shaped, starting with the dry cave on the left, returning to the entrance, and then exploring the water cave on the right.
**Dry Cave Highlights:**
– **Changle Palace (Two仪 Palace):** The journey begins here, leading to Baijing Palace.
– **Baijing Palace:** Notable for the stalactites of the Supreme Old Lord and the thousand-year-old locust shade.
– **Tongguan Cave Door:** Leads to Yunjing Palace, where ‘Quranya’ was inscribed by Fan Zhongyan.
– **Yunjing Palace:** Features the Celestial Boat, a massive stone hanging from the cave ceiling.
– **Zhenbao Palace (Xuedou Palace):** Home to the stalactites Lingxiao Twin Towers and the inverted Ganoderma lucidum. The tour of the dry cave ends here.
**Water Cave Experience:**
– **Jiuqu Milky Way (Baqiu Yingzhou):** An underground river with a free boat ride, offering a novel experience.
– **Yuhuang Palace (Yuqiong Palace):** Features the impressive stalactite, Golden Dragon Wrapping the Jade Pillar.
– **Haitian Palace (God’s Drunken Palace):** Known for the unique Yellow Mountain group of stalactites, with cave lighting creating a sunrise scene.
– **Xihai Peaks and Fairy Peak:** Viewable from the high viewing platform, offering a panoramic Yellow Mountain scene.
**End of the Tour:**
The tour concludes after viewing the万象 Dong’s bell-like stone group and the murals on the stone wall of Xianyuan Palace, which require imagination.Exiting involves climbing 800 steps in a narrow passage, which can be tiring.
### Additional Information
**Cable Car:**
A thrilling open-air cable car is available at the cave entrance for 25 yuan, but it’s not necessary as walking down the mountain takes about ten minutes.
**World’s Four Wonders Wall:**
On the way down, you can visit the World’s Four Wonders Wall, inscribed with ‘World’s Four Wonders’, passing by the now-closed Hu Tian Gong cave, and returning to Tai Chi Temple at the mountain’s foot.
**Bao Pu Garden:**
For those with extra time, Bao Pu Garden offers ancient-style architecture and lush vegetation, including a children’s playground with swings, rope bridge, and boat rides on Yan Chi Lake.
**Xuan Miao Mountain:**
A detour to Xuan Miao Mountain reveals a stone forest composed of low-lying Taihu stones.
**Operating Hours:**
The entire site operates year-round from 08:30 to 16:30.
**Preferential Policies:**
– Children under 6 years old (excluding) or under 1.2 meters (including) in height (must be accompanied by a guardian), free.
– Children aged 6 to 18 (including), with a height limit of 1.### Ticket Discounts and Special Offers
**Height Discounts:**
– **Children:** 2 meters (excluding) to 1.4 meters (excluding), enjoy half price.
**Elderly Discounts:**
– **65 years and above:** Free admission.
– **60 years to 64 years (excluding 65):** Half price.
**Student Discounts:**
– **Full-time undergraduates and below:** Half price with valid documents.
**Free Admission for:**
– **Disabled individuals:** With their own valid documents.
– **Active-duty military personnel:** With their own valid documents.
– **Journalists:** With their own valid documents.
– **Tour guides:** With their own valid documents.
– **Members of photography associations at or above the provincial level:** With their own valid documents.
– **Retired military officers:** Half price with valid documents.
**Low-Income Discounts:**
– **Low-income households:** 30% off with valid documents.
### Service Facilities
**Parking Lot:**
– **Name:** Guangde Tai Chi Cave Parking Lot
– **Reference Price:** ¥10/visit
– **Address:** Tai Chi Cave Scenic Area, Xinhang Town, Guangde County, Anhui Province
– **Capacity:** 200 spots
### Must-See Tips
1. **Vendors and Accommodation:**
– There are numerous vendors at the foot of the mountain and near the cable car selling toys, drinks, and snacks. The Tai Chi Mountain Villa within the scenic area and hotels outside can provide dining and accommodation solutions.
2. **Flashlights:**
– Beware of vendors selling flashlights claiming the cave is very dark. The cave is well-lit, and flashlights are unnecessary.
3. **Photography in the Water Cave:**
– Be cautious of places offering free photography. The free photos are small, and larger ones require a fee. If you do not wish to pay or have your photos displayed, decline the offer.
4. **Horse Riding Down the Mountain:**
– At the exit of the water cave, locals may offer horse riding services. This is a private activity without safety guarantees, and the scenic area does not endorse participation.
5. **Restrooms:**
– There are no restrooms inside the Tai Chi Cave’s cavern. Restrooms are available at the entrance of the scenic area, outside the Tai Chi Cave, and next to the cable car exit at the water cave. Note that the restrooms beside the cable car are not very clean.
### Premium Service Information
**Exclusive Boat Cabin:**
– For individual use, with dedicated service for one person.
