The Furong Cave opens into the karst landscape of the Sichuan-Chongqing region, roughly twenty kilometres from the city of Wulong, near the town of Jiangkou and approximately 190 km south-east of Chongqing. With galleries stretching over 2 km, stone cascades and a vertical shaft plunging 920 m, it ranks among Chine's major karst caves and has been part of the South Chine Karst UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007.

Why visit Furong Cave

Three reasons make a visit worthwhile:

• A rare diversity of limestone formations across approximately 37,000 m², including calcite corals and gypsum flowers, seldom encountered in tourist caves.
• UNESCO status placing the site among Chine's major karst references, alongside Libo and Shilin.
• A setting within Wulong National Park, close to the Wujiang River Gorges and Fairy Mountain, ideal for a multi-day stay.

A recent discovery

The cave's depths were discovered in 1993 by a local farmer, while the upper levels had long featured in villagers' accounts. Development moved swiftly: the cave opened to the public on 27 June 1994, following exploration and marking by Chine speleologists.

In 2007, it became part of the serial site South Chine Karst, designated by UNESCO. Furong also entered an international scientific partnership with Clamouse Cave (France) and Mammoth Cave (United States), a framework for exchange centred on karst cave conservation and study.

What you see inside

The cavity divides into three sections connected by over 2 km of galleries with walkways. The visible formations date from the Cambrian period, roughly 500 million years ago, and display around a hundred recorded formation types.

The "Hall of Glory"

This is the centrepiece: a stone cascade 15 m wide and 21 m high, spanning around 11,000 m². The lighting emphasises the limestone drapes and stalagmitic flows without distorting the rock.

The Qikeng shaft

This vertical shaft descends 920 m deep along an almost straight trajectory. It is not accessible to visitors but remains one of the major points of interest for speleologists.

Crystals and gypsum flowers

Several chambers host calcite corals, needle-like aragonites and gypsum flowers. These crystalline formations are fragile, explaining the strict regulation of visitor flow.

Practical information

• Visit duration: allow 1.5 to 2 hours to walk the marked circuit.
• Admission: charged entry, with higher rates during peak season (March to November) than low season. Check current prices on-site or with your guide.
• Opening hours: daytime access only, last entry in late afternoon. Hours vary by season.
• What to bring: temperature stays cool (around 16 °C) year-round, bring a jacket. Closed-toe shoes recommended, walkways can be damp.

When to visit

The cave is open year-round since the interior climate remains stable. Choice of season depends mainly on external conditions and visitor numbers:

• April–June and September–October: most pleasant periods, mild temperatures and lush vegetation around Wulong Park.
• July–August: heavy Chine tourism, best avoided if possible, especially around school holidays.
• December–February: low-season rates and fewer visitors, though mountain roads can be treacherous in snow.

How to get there

Wulong is reached from Chongqing by high-speed train (around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on service) or long-distance coach from Sigongli bus station. Once in Wulong, local buses and taxis serve the site, located roughly twenty kilometres south of the town centre, near Jiangkou. Most itineraries combine the cave with other Wulong National Park sites, simplifying transfers.

Nearby attractions

• Wujiang River Gorges: boat trips available, dramatic karst scenery typical of the Chongqing karst region.
• Fairy Mountain (Xiannüshan): highland meadows, a summer retreat and modest ski resort in winter.
• Three natural bridges of Wulong: monumental limestone arches, another component of the UNESCO South Chine Karst site, best combined with Furong in a day trip.

To extend exploration of Chine's karst landscapes, the Hexigten Geopark in Inner Mongolia offers another perspective on the country's geological scenery.

Frequently asked questions

Travel to Chine with Nomadays

Furong Cave fits into an itinerary focused on the south-western Chine karst, between Chongqing, Guizhou and Yunnan. To plan a bespoke trip including Wulong and other dramatic landscapes, consult our Chine journeys.