Longgong Scenic Area in Anshun City is located in the southern suburbs of Anshun City, Guizhou Province, about 27 kilometers away from the urban area of Anshun, and is situated in Longgong Town, Xixiu District. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area, integrating various karst geological and geomorphic landscapes such as karst caves, valleys, waterfalls, peak forests, precipices, streams, stone forests, funnels, and underground rivers. It is one of the scenic areas where karst landform features are most concentrated and comprehensively displayed, and is known as "All the karst landscapes in the world are here in Longgong". The total area of the scenic area reaches 60 square kilometers, of which the core sightseeing area is about 18 square kilometers. The scenic area has many world records, such as the place with the smallest electromagnetic radiation in the world, and the place with the most and most concentrated water and dry karst caves in the world, etc., boasting unique natural landscapes and extremely high scientific value.
History and Culture
Longgong Scenic Area has a long history and profound cultural heritage. The area where it is located is a settlement of multiple ethnic groups, mainly including the Buyi ethnic group, the Miao ethnic group and other ethnic minorities. These ethnic groups have their own unique cultures and traditional customs. For example, traditional festivals like "June 6th" of the Buyi ethnic group and "April 8th" of the Miao ethnic group will witness grand celebration activities, showing a strong ethnic flavor.
In legend, Longgong got its name because the Dragon King guarded Longtan, and its original name was Xiangshui Longtan. Since it was officially opened to the public in 1984, the scenic area has gradually become a famous tourist destination in Guizhou. In 1988, it was rated as the second batch of China's national-level scenic spots. In 2000, it was rated as one of the first batch of national AAAA-level tourist scenic areas in China. In 2007, it was rated as one of the first batch of national AAAAA-level tourist scenic areas, witnessing its continuous development and improvement process.
Main Attractions
First and Second Entries to Longgong
The first and second entries to Longgong are known as the longest and most beautiful water karst caves in the country. They are the core attractions of the Longgong Scenic Area and also one of the three unique features of Longgong. The first entry to Longgong is 840 meters long and consists of five parts: the Hall of Dragons Welcoming Guests, the Hall of Relief Murals, the Hall of Five Dragons Protecting Treasures, the Crystal Palace, and the Hall of High Gorges and Secluded Valleys. Inside the cave, karst landscape features such as stalactites and stalagmites vary in shape. Under the illumination of the lights, it is colorful and looks like a fairyland. The second entry to Longgong is 400 meters long in total and is divided into four halls. The landscape is rough and strange, and when the boat sails through it, it is as if traveling through a time tunnel, bringing a wonderful experience.
Longmen Waterfall
Longmen Waterfall is the largest waterfall inside a cave in China, with a height of more than 50 meters and a width of 26 meters. The flowing water drills through the mountains and splits the rocks with a surging momentum, showing great grandeur. The huge flow of water pours down from the top of the karst cave, like thousands of horses galloping, making a deafening sound, with water mist pervading, presenting a magnificent sight.
Xuantang
Xuantang is a typical karst funnel landform, with a diameter of 101 meters and an area of 8,012 square meters. It is connected to the Tongxuan Short River. The water in the pond rotates clockwise along the tangent direction of the pond without the help of wind power and keeps flowing day and night. It dives into the underground river from the natural funnel at the bottom of the pond and due to the height difference, it flows out from both sides of Shuizhuyuan. This forms the strange scenes of "The mountains don't turn but the water turns" and "One stream of water divides into two sides" in Longgong.
Delicacies
Buckwheat Jelly
Buckwheat jelly is one of the characteristic delicacies in Anshun. It is made from tartary buckwheat through a special process. It has a golden color and a smooth and tender taste. When eating, it is served with a dipping sauce made of chili oil, crispy soybeans, pickled radish, etc. It is spicy and refreshing with a unique flavor. Buckwheat jelly has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing blood lipids, etc., and is deeply loved by tourists.
Anshun Wrapped Rolls
Anshun wrapped rolls are a kind of snack with rice noodles wrapping various fillings. The rice noodles are as thin as cicada wings, and the fillings are rich and diverse, including bean sprouts, kelp shreds, houttuynia cordata, peanut crumbs, etc. According to personal taste, seasonings such as chili oil, vinegar, and soy sauce can also be added. It has a rich taste and a delicious flavor, and is one of the delicacies that tourists must try.
Fried Cake Porridge
Fried cake porridge is a unique delicacy in Anshun. The fried cake is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, made of glutinous rice. The porridge is made by boiling mung beans, millet, etc., and is thick, fragrant and smooth. Break the fried cake into pieces and put them into the porridge, and match it with condiments such as scallions and chili peppers. It has both the crispness of the fried cake and the softness of the porridge, with distinct layers of taste and a unique flavor.
Entrance Tickets
The price of the entrance ticket to Longgong Scenic Area is 130 yuan per person (excluding the fees for sightseeing vehicles and boat tickets, etc.). The price of the sightseeing vehicle ticket is 20 yuan per person (round trip), and the boat ticket is 80 yuan per person (for visiting the first and second entries to Longgong). The scenic area may introduce preferential policies according to different seasons or activities. For specific information, please pay attention to the official website of the scenic area or relevant ticketing platforms.
Opening Hours
The Longgong Scenic Area is open throughout the year, with the opening hours from 08:30 to 17:00 (ticket sales and admission stop at 16:00). During legal holidays or peak tourist seasons, the scenic area may adjust the opening hours according to the actual situation. Tourists can query the official information of the scenic area in advance and arrange their itinerary reasonably.
Tour Route
Recommended tour route: Tourist Center → Longmen Waterfall → First Entry to Longgong → Second Entry to Longgong → Xuantang → Guanyin Cave → Qunfang Valley → Tongxuan River (by cruise ship) → Exit the Scenic Area. This route covers the main attractions of the Longgong Scenic Area. Tourists can first admire the magnificent Longmen Waterfall, then take a boat to visit the mysterious first and second entries to Longgong to experience the charm of karst caves. Then visit Xuantang and Guanyin Cave to enjoy the unique geological landscape and Buddhist culture. Finally, take a stroll in Qunfang Valley and take a boat along Tongxuan River to admire the scenery on both sides and end the pleasant journey. The estimated tour time for the whole journey is 4-6 hours.
Transportation
- Public transportation: Take the special line bus to Longgong at Anshun East Bus Station. The ticket price is about 15 yuan, and the journey takes about 40 minutes.
- Self-driving: Starting from the urban area of Anshun, drive westward along the Guihuang Highway (G320) and follow the road signs to Longgong Scenic Area. The whole journey is about 27 kilometers, and the driving time is about 40 minutes.
- Tourist chartered car: You can book a tourist chartered car service at travel agencies or hotels in Anshun City. It is convenient and fast, and you can adjust the time freely according to your own itinerary arrangement.
Must-visit Attractions
- First and Second Entries to Longgong: The longest and most beautiful water karst caves in the country, 1,240 meters long. The landscape inside the cave is rich and diverse, and the stalactites have strange shapes. Taking a boat tour makes you feel like you are in a fantasy world, which is an excellent place to experience the charm of karst caves.
- Longmen Waterfall: The largest waterfall inside a cave in China, with a height of more than 50 meters and a width of 26 meters. The water flow has a magnificent momentum, with a strong visual impact, and it is a must-visit place for photography enthusiasts.
- Xuantang: A unique karst funnel landform, with a diameter of 101 meters and an area of 8,012 square meters. The water in the pond rotates automatically, forming the strange scene of "The mountains don't turn but the water turns", full of mysterious colors.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to learn about the opening hours and ticket policies of the scenic area in advance. You can book tickets through the official website of the scenic area or online travel platforms to avoid delaying your itinerary.
- Some attractions in the scenic area require taking a boat tour. When taking a boat, please follow the instructions of the staff, wear a life jacket, and pay attention to safety.
- During the tour, it is recommended to bring an appropriate amount of drinking water and snacks to replenish your energy. There are also catering and shopping places in the scenic area, but the prices may be relatively high.
- Since the scenic area is large and the walking distance is long, it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes or flat shoes for convenient sightseeing.
- When touring in summer, pay attention to sun protection measures to avoid heatstroke; when touring in winter, pay attention to keeping warm.
Notes
- Take good care of the environment of the scenic area. Do not spit or litter everywhere, and abide by the sanitation regulations of the scenic area.
- When touring inside the karst cave, do not touch the stalactites and stalagmites to avoid damaging these precious natural landscapes.
- Comply with the safety regulations of the scenic area. Do not enter unopened areas and do not engage in dangerous behaviors such as climbing and playing in the water.
- Respect the local ethnic cultures and customs, and do not disturb the lives of local residents at will.
- In case of an emergency, you can call the emergency rescue hotline of the scenic area or ask the staff for help.