Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan)
1 Ludi Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin, Guangxi
Located 3 miles (5 kilometers) from downtown Guilin, this famous limestone cave is one of the top attractions in Guilin. It’s named for the reeds that grow outside the cave, which are used to make flutes. The cave stretches for 787 feet (240 meters), and is colorfully lit inside to highlight the interesting collection of stone pillars, stalactites, and stalagmites found within.
Visitors follow a U-shaped route through the cave system to see the variously shaped formations. In addition, there are numerous inscriptions on the cave walls, said to be poems dating from the Tang Dynasty. Outside the cave, you’ll see pavilions, ponds, bridges, and gardens.
Reed Flute Cave can be easily visited independently. If you’re planning to visit other Guilin attractions, consider taking a half-day and full-day tour, which will typically include Reed Flute Cave and other attractions like Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, and Seven Star Cave.
Flash photography is not permitted. Set your camera to a high ISO to better capture photos in the low-light environment.
The tour through the cave typically takes about an hour.
If you plan to purchase any of the flutes sold near the cave, be sure to bargain for the best price.
Take the No. 3 bus to Ludiyan or the No. 213 to Ludiyan Tingchechang.
Reed Flute Cave can be visited at any time. That said, it’s a popular destination and can get crowded, especially during weekends and on public holidays.
A large number of the formations have Chinese names that refer to their shape. For example, there are formations named after different flowers, while others bear names like Fruit Mountain, Crystal Palace, Dragon Pagoda, and Rose Dawn Over Lion Peak. Just note that you may need to put your imagination to work to see the resemblance.
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