The Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area is located in Xiaoshi Town, Benxi Manchu Autonomous County, Benxi City, Liaoning Province. It is a National 5A-level tourist attraction and the largest and longest water-filled karst cave discovered in China so far. It is praised as "Myriad forms of stalactite peaks in countless scenes, a poetry painting amid light boats and emerald waters; such elegance should exist only in the fairy realm, this cave heaven is unique in the mortal world." The scenic area centers on the water cave and integrates hot springs, a geological museum, a petrified wood park, and other landscapes, with a total area of 20.5 square kilometers. The main water cave passage is 5,800 meters long, with a developed sightseeing section of 2,800 meters. The average water depth of the underground river in the cave is 1.5 meters, with the deepest point reaching 7 meters. It maintains a constant temperature of about 12°C year-round and is a comprehensive geological scenic area integrating scientific research, sightseeing, leisure, and vacation. The landmark landscape in the scenic area, the "Nine-Bend Galaxy Cave," winds tortuously, with stalactites in a thousand forms, shimmering with lighting to form a unique karst landscape wonder, attracting millions of tourists each year to explore.
History and Culture
The formation of Benxi Water Cave can be traced back to the Middle Pleistocene about 400,000 years ago. Through long geological processes, limestone gradually formed a cave under the dissolution of groundwater. The stalactites, stalagmites, and other landscapes in the cave grow slowly at a rate of about 0.13 centimeters per hundred years, witnessing the geological changes of the Earth.
The earliest records of the water cave can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty, when local chronicles already contained the name "Xiejiawaizi Cave" (the area where the water cave is located was anciently called Xiejiawaizi). However, because the cave was dark and deep, few people explored it in depth. In the 1960s, local villagers accidentally discovered the full extent of this cave during production activities. In 1983, Benxi Water Cave was officially opened to the public, initially with only a few hundred meters of sightseeing section developed. In 1994, it was listed among the "Top Ten Scenic Spots in China." In 2005, it became a National AAAAA-level scenic area. As a typical representative of karst landforms in northern China, Benxi Water Cave not only has important geological research value, but its development process also reflects the transformation of China's geological tourism scenic areas from exploration to protection and then to sustainable development. The original geological forms preserved in the cave provide precious samples for the study of paleoclimate and paleohydrology.
Main Attractions
Water Cave (Nine-Bend Galaxy Cave)
The Water Cave is the core attraction of the Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area, with a total length of 5,800 meters. The developed 2,800-meter sightseeing section is connected by an underground river, and tourists need to take a boat (each boat can carry 6 people) to travel through it. The average height inside the cave is 10-15 meters, the width is 8-20 meters, and the widest point reaches 50 meters. The underground river water is clear and never freezes all year round. Along the way, visitors can see stalactite landscapes of various shapes such as the "Lotus Lantern," "Corn Tower," and "Jade Elephant." Among them, the stalactite group in the "Dragon Palace Treasure Hall" area is the most spectacular, with the tallest stalagmite reaching 7 meters and a base diameter of about 5 meters, like palace columns. The lighting in the cave uses cold light sources, which both highlights the layers of the landscape and avoids damage to the stalactites. The boat trip takes about 40 minutes, with a guide explaining the formation and legends of each landscape throughout the journey.
Dry Cave (Panzhihua Cave)
The Dry Cave is connected to the Water Cave and has a total length of 300 meters. There is no underground river in the cave, and it is mainly composed of dry stalactite and stone curtain landscapes. Because ancient vertebrate fossils were once found in the cave, it is also called "Fossil Cave." Landscapes such as the "Walrus Stone" and "Dragon Ridge Stone" in the Dry Cave are uniquely shaped. Among them, the "Coiled Dragon Jade Pillar" is about 10 meters high and was formed by the connection of a stalactite from the top and a stalagmite from the bottom, formed through geological deposition over hundreds of thousands of years. At the end of the Dry Cave, there is a "Paleontological Fossil Exhibition," displaying animal fossils such as mammoths and woolly rhinos unearthed in the cave, revealing the ecological environment of the Liaodong region in ancient times.
Geological Museum
The Geological Museum is located on the east side of the Water Cave entrance, with a building area of 3,000 square meters. It is a relatively large geological professional museum in Northeast China. The museum is divided into exhibition areas such as Earth Mysteries, Cave Formation, Mineral Crystals, and Paleontological Evolution. Through physical specimens, models, multimedia presentations, and other means, it systematically introduces the formation principles of karst landforms and the geological evolution process of Benxi Water Cave. Among them, the "Cave Simulation Area" restores the formation process of the water cave, allowing tourists to intuitively see the dynamic effect of groundwater dissolving rock. The "Mineral Crystal Exhibition" displays specimens such as calcite and crystal unique to the Liaoning region, some of which weigh hundreds of kilograms and have great ornamental and scientific research value.
Petrified Wood Park
The Petrified Wood Park covers an area of 11.6 hectares and is the largest petrified wood group scenic area in northern China. It displays more than 100 petrified wood specimens from 140 million to 190 million years ago (Jurassic Period). These trees were originally tall coniferous forests. Because of volcanic eruptions, they were buried and formed fossils through silicification underground, preserving details such as tree rings and bark. The largest petrified wood in the park is 14 meters long, 1.5 meters in diameter, and weighs more than 30 tons, known as the "King of Petrified Wood." The park also has a wood fossil science popularization corridor and a geological profile display area. Combined with garden landscape design, it allows tourists to understand the formation process of paleontological fossils while touring.
Wenquan Temple
Wenquan Temple is located on the west side of the scenic area, about 5 kilometers from the Water Cave. It is named after the hot spring beside the temple and has a history of nearly a thousand years. The hot spring water temperature remains at 44°C year-round and is rich in minerals such as fluorine and sulfur. It is said that Nurhaci, the founder of the Qing Dynasty, once bathed and healed here. The existing Wenquan Temple was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty, with a building area of about 1,200 square meters. It consists of the main hall, side halls, bathing pools, and so on, and its architectural style integrates Manchu and Han characteristics. The scenic area has a hot spring resort offering hot spring bathing, convalescence, and other services. Tourists can experience the hot spring after visiting the water cave to relieve fatigue.
Food
Benxi Xiaoshi Mutton Soup
Benxi Xiaoshi Mutton Soup is the most representative local food. It uses goats from Xiaoshi Town as raw material and is cooked by traditional methods. Mutton and mutton bones are stewed together with ginger slices, Sichuan pepper, and other seasonings for several hours until the soup turns milky white. When served, chopped scallions and cilantro are sprinkled on top, and it is eaten with pepper-salt baked cakes. The soup is clear in color, the meat is tender, and it has the effect of dispelling cold and warming the body. The "Mutton Soup Street" in the scenic area has dozens of restaurants. Each serving of mutton soup costs about 30-50 yuan (free refills), and it is recommended to pair it with local spicy cabbage for a better flavor.
Changkun Pig Trotters
Changkun Pig Trotters is a time-honored local food in Benxi, originating in the 1980s. It uses local black pig trotters, which after hair removal and blanching are braised with more than 20 seasonings such as star anise, cinnamon, and rock sugar. The finished product is bright red in color, with tender skin and meat, fatty but not greasy. It is named because the ratio of length to width of the trotters is moderate. Specialty stores around the scenic area sell vacuum-packed Changkun Pig Trotters, each costing about 25-35 yuan, suitable as a souvenir.
Stir-Fried Wild Vegetables with Meat
Benxi is located in a mountainous area and is rich in wild vegetables such as Aralia elata buds, bracken, and dandelion. Stir-fried wild vegetables with meat is a representative local farm dish. Fresh wild vegetables are blanched, cut into sections, stir-fried with shredded pork, and seasoned with minced garlic. It tastes refreshing and carries the fragrance of wild vegetables. At farm restaurants near Wenquan Temple, a portion of stir-fried wild vegetables with meat costs about 28-38 yuan. Eaten with corn cakes, it reflects the simple flavor of Northeast farm cooking.
Nearby Food
There are many restaurants in Xiaoshi Town where the scenic area is located. "Xiaoshi Renjia" restaurant is recommended, about 1 kilometer from the Water Cave, featuring Manchu specialty dishes. Signature dishes include chicken stewed with mushrooms (using local free-range native chicken and wild hazel mushrooms, 58 yuan per portion) and pig-killing vegetables (42 yuan per portion), with generous portions and authentic taste. In addition, the "Laodifang Pie" shop in the town makes chive and egg pies and beef pies (10 yuan per portion, 8 pieces), with crispy crusts and fresh fillings, suitable as a light meal.
Tickets：
Combined ticket for five major attractions: 230 yuan per person.
You can search for the official public account "Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area" on WeChat to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours：
Opening hours adjust with the seasons: April 1-October 31 is peak season, with opening hours 8:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:00); November 1-March 31 of the following year is off-season, with opening hours 9:00-16:00 (last entry at 15:00). Among them, the last boat trip in the Water Cave is at 16:30 in peak season and 15:30 in off-season; the Geological Museum closes 30 minutes earlier than the scenic area; Wenquan Temple is open all day (hot spring bathing is open until 21:00). In winter, some outdoor attractions (such as the Petrified Wood Park) may shorten their opening hours due to ice and snow weather. It is recommended to check official information before traveling.
Tour Route：
Recommended one-day tour route: arrive at the scenic area at 8:30 a.m., first visit the Water Cave (boat tour about 40 minutes, walking visit to the Dry Cave about 30 minutes); at 10:00 go to the Geological Museum to learn about geology (about 1 hour); at 11:00 go to the Petrified Wood Park to view the petrified wood group (about 1 hour); at 12:00 dine at the mutton soup restaurant in the scenic area (about 1 hour); at 13:30 go to Wenquan Temple, visit the ancient temple and experience the hot spring (about 2 hours; whether to bathe can be adjusted according to time); at 15:30 return to the main entrance of the scenic area, and on the way buy souvenirs at specialty stores; at 16:30 end the tour. The whole journey involves about 5 kilometers of walking. There are sightseeing buses in the scenic area (10 yuan per person one way), which can connect the attractions.
Transportation：
Bus: Benxi City Passenger Transport Center (next to Benxi Station) has a direct tourist line to the Water Cave, departing every 30 minutes, with a journey of about 1 hour and a fare of 10 yuan; taking a taxi from Benxi Manchu Autonomous County (Xiaoshi Town) to the scenic area is about 5 kilometers, costing 15-20 yuan.
Self-driving: Starting from downtown Shenyang, drive along the Shenji Expressway to the Benxi Manchu Autonomous County exit, then drive about 8 kilometers along County Road 508. The whole journey is about 180 kilometers and takes 2.5 hours; the scenic area parking lot charges 10 yuan per time for small vehicles and 20 yuan per time for large vehicles, with sufficient parking spaces.
Tourist lines: Travel agencies in Shenyang, Fushun, and other cities offer one-day Water Cave tour lines, including round-trip transportation and tickets, priced at about 220-260 yuan per person. Registration is available at local travel agencies.
Train: After taking a high-speed train to Benxi Station, transfer to the above-mentioned tourist line bus; or take a regular train to Xiaoshi Station, then take a taxi for 10 minutes to reach the scenic area.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Water Cave (Nine-Bend Galaxy Cave): A 2,800-meter-long water-filled karst cave. Take a boat to view stalactite wonders. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 12°C and is the core experience of the scenic area.
Geological Museum: A 3,000-square-meter exhibition hall systematically displaying karst landforms and paleontological knowledge, suitable for parent-child science education.
Petrified Wood Park: More than 100 Jurassic petrified wood specimens, among which the 14-meter-long "King of Petrified Wood" is a rare geological specimen.
Wenquan Temple: A combination of a thousand-year-old temple and a 44°C hot spring, offering the dual charm of history and convalescence.
Travel Suggestions：
Suggested tour time is 1 day. The best visiting season is May-October, with suitable climate; in winter the cave is warm and there are fewer tourists, so you can avoid the peak, but you need to pay attention to possible ice and snow on the roads around the scenic area.
The temperature inside the Water Cave is relatively low (about 12°C), so even in summer you need to bring a light jacket; the ground in the cave is wet, so non-slip shoes are recommended.
Boat rides are taken in groups, and there may be lines in peak season, so it is recommended to arrive early; the cave is dimly lit, and if you need to take photos, you can use a mobile phone flash (strong flashlights are prohibited to avoid affecting other tourists).
The Geological Museum has free guided tour service (departing on the hour). It is recommended to participate to gain a deeper understanding of the geological knowledge behind the attractions.
If you plan to experience the hot spring, you can bring your own swimsuit. Buying one in the scenic area is more expensive (about 80-150 yuan per set).
Precautions：
Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited in the Water Cave, and touching stalactites is not allowed (touching affects their growth). Violators will face fines.
During the boat ride, sit firmly and hold on, and do not extend your head or hands outside the boat to avoid hitting the rock walls.
The fossils in the Petrified Wood Park are precious cultural relics. Climbing and carving are prohibited. Surveillance is installed in the scenic area, and violations will bear legal responsibility.
The hot spring water at Wenquan Temple is relatively hot. Elderly people and patients with high blood pressure or heart disease need to use it cautiously and are advised to consult medical staff first.
There is a medical point in the scenic area (next to the Geological Museum). In case of emergencies, you can contact it promptly.