The Underground Grand Canyon Tourist Area is located in Yishui County, Linyi City, Shandong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a typical karst cave landscape area. The scenic area is centered on a large cave that is 6,100 meters long, with a developed touring length of 3,100 meters and a total area of about 12 square kilometers. It is a rare cave wonder in northern China. The scenic area is characterized by the cave landscape of "majestic, peculiar, perilous, secluded, and beautiful" and the underground river rafting project. The widest part of the cave is 30 meters, and the highest part reaches 30 meters. It contains natural landscapes such as "one river, nine springs, nine palaces, and twelve waterfalls," and is known as "China's No. 1 Cave for Underground River Rafting." The scenic area is equipped with a visitor service center (with a building area of about 2,000 square meters), parking lot, dining area, and other facilities, providing convenient services for tourists.
Historical Culture
The history of Yishui County, where the Yishui Underground Grand Canyon is located, can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. It is an important area of ancient Langya culture. In their coexistence with nature, the local ancestors left behind rich prehistoric cultural relics. The Yimeng Mountain area surrounding the scenic area is a famous old revolutionary base area. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, this was an important rear-area base, and the deeds of soldiers and civilians fighting the enemy together added a red heritage to the regional culture.
From the perspective of geological history, the Underground Grand Canyon was formed about 65 million to 230 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. The stalactites, stalagmites, and other landscapes in the cave were formed through millions of years of precipitation, making it a natural "geological museum" of Earth's evolution. Local folk legends about the cave have a long history, such as the mythological story of the "Nine Dragon Palace," which is integrated into Yimeng folk culture, allowing natural landscapes and cultural legends to blend with each other.
Main Attractions
Underground Grand Canyon Cave
The Underground Grand Canyon Cave is 6,100 meters long in total, with 3,100 meters developed. The temperature inside the cave remains constant at 17-18°C, and it stays humid year-round. The cave is rich in landscapes. Attractions such as "Nine Dragon Palace," "Mengshan and Yishui," and "Undersea Stone Flowers" each have their own characteristics. Under the illumination of lights, stalactites, stone curtains, and stalagmites take on various shapes, some like flying waterfalls and flowing springs, and others like rare birds and animals. Among them, the "one river" refers to the underground river running through the cave, while the "twelve waterfalls" are natural waterfall landscapes in multiple places inside the cave, with the largest drop reaching 5 meters. The murmuring sound of water adds a lively atmosphere to the cave.
Underground River Rafting
Underground river rafting is the signature project of the scenic area. The rafting channel is 1,000 meters long in total, with a drop of more than 30 meters, passing through the "nine bends and eighteen turns." It is China's longest cave rafting project. Tourists ride rubber boats downstream, sometimes passing through narrow cave passages and sometimes moving gently through open waters. Along the way, they can enjoy landscapes such as "Dragon Palace Treasure Hall" and "Milky Way Pouring Down," experiencing a combination of speed and thrills. The whole journey takes about 40 minutes.
Underground River Adventure Area
The Underground River Adventure Area is located in the incompletely developed section of the cave, about 500 meters long. It requires hiking exploration with headlamps and is a project designed for experienced adventure enthusiasts. This area preserves the original appearance of the cave. Visitors can see unmodified stalactite prototypes and the source landscape of the underground river. Along the way, they need to climb through low passages and feel the mysterious atmosphere of the primitive cave. The entire journey requires the leadership of a professional guide and takes about 1.5 hours.
Geological Wonders Exhibition Area
The Geological Wonders Exhibition Area is located near the cave entrance, with an area of about 800 square meters. Through physical specimens, illustrated display boards, and multimedia equipment, it displays the formation process of the Underground Grand Canyon, the geological characteristics of karst landforms, and the ecological habits of organisms in the cave. The area also has a "stalactite growth simulation device," which intuitively presents the slow process of stalactites growing only 1 centimeter every hundred years, combining popular science and ornamental value.
Canyon Viewing Platform
The Canyon Viewing Platform is located at the highest point in the middle section of the cave, about 25 meters above the ground, and is connected to the main touring route by a suspended walkway. The viewing platform covers an area of about 20 square meters and offers a panoramic view of the "U-shaped valley" landscape in the cave. The underground river forms a backflow here, surrounded by stalactites. It is the best location for photographing the full view of the cave and is also a stop for tourists to rest and enjoy the scenery.
Food
Yimeng Bachelor Chicken
Yimeng Bachelor Chicken is a signature dish of farmhouse restaurants around the scenic area. It uses free-range roosters raised for 2 years in the Yimeng Mountain area, paired with green peppers, potatoes, star anise, and other seasonings, and is slowly stewed over a firewood stove for 1.5 hours. The dish is characterized by firm and chewy chicken and a rich sauce. It is named after the founder, who was one of several local unmarried chefs. It is a representative of the "coarse yet refined" style of Yimeng cuisine, with an average consumption of about 60 yuan per person.
Yishui Ta Jianbing
Yishui Ta Jianbing is a local traditional snack. It uses a pancake made from millet flour or cornmeal as the base, spreads eggs, chives, tofu, and other fillings on top, folds it, and bakes it on a griddle until both sides are golden brown. The finished product is crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, with fresh and fragrant fillings, and is affordable at about 5-8 yuan per serving. It can be tasted at the snack street at the exit of the scenic area and is a convenient choice for tourists to replenish energy.
Juxian Whole Lamb Soup
Juxian Whole Lamb Soup originates from neighboring Juxian County and is commonly found in restaurants around the scenic area. It uses local goats, and the mutton and bones are slowly stewed for more than 3 hours. The soup is milky white and the meat is tender. When eaten, it is paired with chopped green onions, cilantro, and local chili powder. The soup is clear in color and mellow in taste, at about 30 yuan per serving. It is especially warming when eaten in winter.
Mengshan Whole Scorpion
Mengshan Whole Scorpion is a specialty ingredient of the Yimeng Mountain area. Restaurants around the scenic area mostly use methods such as deep-frying or soaking in wine. Deep-fried whole scorpions are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, rich in protein, and are believed locally to have nourishing effects. They cost about 50 yuan per serving. It is a flavorful dish with local characteristics and is suitable for tourists who dare to try novel foods.
Tickets：
Tickets are 98 yuan per person.
You can search for the official public account "Firefly Water Cave Underground Grand Canyon" on WeChat to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open from 8:00-17:30 (April 1-October 31); from November 1 to March 31 of the following year, it is open from 8:30-17:00. The last departure time for the underground river rafting is 1.5 hours before closing, and the last entry time for the Underground River Adventure Area is 2 hours before closing. Tourists are advised to arrange their itineraries reasonably.
Tour Route：
After entering from the scenic area entrance, tourists first visit the Geological Wonders Exhibition Area to learn about cave geological knowledge; then enter the Underground Grand Canyon Cave and tour landscapes such as "Nine Dragon Palace" and "Undersea Stone Flowers" along the main route, passing the Canyon Viewing Platform to overlook the full view of the cave; next, experience the underground river rafting and feel the thrilling cave rafting; after rafting ends, they can choose to go to the Underground River Adventure Area (advance reservation required), or follow the exit route to enjoy the remaining landscapes. The entire tour takes about 4-5 hours, with a walking distance of about 3 kilometers.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From downtown Linyi, take the Changshen Expressway (G25) to the Yishui South exit, then drive north along Provincial Road 229 for 18 kilometers to arrive. The total journey is about 100 kilometers and takes 1.5 hours by car. From downtown Jinan, take the Qingyin Expressway (G20), transfer to the Changshen Expressway (G25) to the Yishui exit, then drive north along Provincial Road 229. The total journey is about 280 kilometers and takes 3.5 hours by car.
Bus: Buses from Yishui County Bus Station to Yaodianzi Town depart every 30 minutes. Get off at the Underground Grand Canyon stop. The journey takes 40 minutes, the fare is 8 yuan per person, and the last bus departs at 18:00.
Tourist Line: A tourist line from downtown Linyi departs directly to the scenic area every day at 8:00 from Linyi General Bus Station, and returns at 16:30. The round-trip fare is 50 yuan per person, and tickets can be purchased one day in advance at the bus station ticket window.
Must-Play Attractions：
Underground Grand Canyon Cave: 6,100 meters long in total (3,100 meters developed). The cave is rich in landscapes. Attractions such as "Nine Dragon Palace" and "Undersea Stone Flowers" show the wonders of karst landforms.
Underground River Rafting: 1,000 meters long in total, with a drop of more than 30 meters. It is China's longest cave rafting, offering a thrilling experience and unique scenery along the way.
Geological Wonders Exhibition Area: Intuitively understand the geological knowledge of cave formation. It is suitable for families with children and combines fun and popular science.
Canyon Viewing Platform: 25 meters above the ground, it offers a panoramic view of the cave's "U-shaped valley" and underground river landscape. It is the best location for photographing the full view of the cave.
Travel Tips：
The ground in the cave is slippery, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. In summer, it is recommended to bring a light jacket when entering the cave (the cave maintains a constant temperature of 17-18°C).
Underground river rafting may splash water on clothing. It is recommended to put mobile phones, cameras, and other valuables in waterproof bags in advance, and in summer, bring a set of spare clothes.
Dining inside the scenic area is relatively expensive. You can bring dry food and water. The snack street at the exit of the scenic area is more cost-effective, and about 30 yuan per person is enough for a meal.
There are many tourists on weekends and holidays. It is recommended to arrive at the scenic area before 9:00 a.m. to avoid the queue peak for the rafting project (usually 10:30-14:00 is the peak period).
Families with children can give priority to the Geological Wonders Exhibition Area and the main cave route. Because the Underground River Adventure Area is more difficult, it is suitable for children over 12 years old.
Precautions：
When taking the underground river rafting, you must wear a life jacket, hold the rubber boat handrails throughout, and are prohibited from standing or leaning your body out of the boat. Children under 1.2 meters tall must be accompanied by an adult.
Some sections in the cave are narrow, so pay attention to the stalactites overhead and on both sides to avoid collisions. Follow the principle of "walk without looking at the scenery, look at the scenery without walking."
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the cave, and touching stalactites is not allowed (oil on hands affects their growth).
The Underground River Adventure Area requires reservation through the official website one day in advance, and you must follow the guide's arrangements and must not leave the group without permission.
The signal in the scenic area is weak. It is recommended to agree with companions on a meeting time and place to avoid getting separated.