The wonder of Changyu Dongtian lies in being "man-made, yet seemingly natural" | Exploring China's No.1 Cave

Wenling Changyu Dongtian Travel Guide: Discover the Millennium-Old Man-Made Stone Cave Marvel Changyu Dongtian is located in Wenling City, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. It is the world's largest group of man-made stone caves formed through over 1,500 years of mining. It combines geological wonders, religious culture, and folk customs, and has served as a filming location for productions like "The Return of the Condor Heroes" and "The Deer and the Cauldron." It is known as "China's No.1 Cave." This guide helps you efficiently unlock the core highlights while ensuring a comfortable and in-depth experience. 1. Quick Core Information Tickets and Discounts - Core Combo Ticket: Double Cave Scenic Area combo ticket for 120 RMB (includes key spots like Guanxi Cave and Shuiyun Cave), Baxian Rock single ticket for 10 RMB. - Discount Policy: Children 1.2-1.5 meters tall, seniors aged 60-69, and full-time undergraduate students or below enjoy 50% off; children under 1.2 meters, seniors over 70, active military personnel, and disabled persons with valid ID enter free. Transportation Guide - Self-driving: Navigate to "Changyu Dongtian Double Cave Scenic Area Visitor Center." About 30 minutes from Wenling city center, about 1 hour from Taizhou city center. Parking fee is 10 RMB/day. - Public Transport: After exiting Wenling Railway Station, take the Binhai Line (7:00-17:45, every 30 minutes) or Ruoheng Line (7:20-18:50, every 30 minutes) from the urban-rural bus station on the right. It takes 25-30 minutes to reach Changyu Station, then a 15-minute walk to the park entrance. - Air Travel: From Taizhou Airport, take the Songmen/Xinhe/Xinjie line to Xinhe Station, then transfer to the Wenling to Changyu shuttle bus. 2. Must-Visit Attractions Core Cave Group Highlights - Shuiyun Cave: Filming location of the sword tomb in the 2004 version of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," an "underground art palace" composed of 52 cave bodies. The cave ceiling features natural "water stain murals" resembling sword energy strokes. The temperature stays around 18°C year-round, perfect for summer cooling. - Guanxi Cave: Home to the Guinness World Record-holding "Dongtian Treasure Bowl," the Nine-Bend Pearl Bridge reflects red carp shadows. The 2,000㎡ rock cave concert hall hosts traditional Chinese music performances daily at 10:00, 11:30, 14:00, and 15:30. Arriving 20 minutes early for seating is recommended. - Double Gate Cave: Stone carving art corridor connects Ming and Qing dynasty stone windows and Song dynasty stone lions. Experience traditional stone-milled soy milk and climb the suspended Tongxin Bridge (glass walkway + stone steps) for panoramic views of the cave group. Special Experience Areas - Panda Pavilion: Two giant pandas are "on duty" all day, most active during the 10 AM feeding time, ideal for family visits. - Dinosaur World: Life-size Tyrannosaurus rex and Pterodactyl models with strong educational interactivity, a favorite for kids. - Baxian Rock: The religious and cultural core centered on Baxian Rock Temple, with 39 scenic spots blending natural landscapes and Buddhist culture. Single ticket only 10 RMB, quiet and uncrowded. 3. Itinerary Planning: Choose Efficiently Based on Needs Half-Day Highlights Tour (Photography/Wuxia Fans’ Choice) Guanxi Cave (1.5 hours, enjoy stone scenery + listen to traditional music) → Shuiyun Cave (1.5 hours, explore wuxia filming locations) → Double Gate Cave stone carving corridor (1 hour, panoramic shots), total 4-5 hours with no backtracking. Family One-Day Tour Panda Pavilion (1 hour) → Dinosaur World (0.5 hour) → Guanxi Cave boat ride (30 RMB/boat, max 4 people) → Double Gate Cave DIY stone carving experience (50 RMB/session) → Try local snacks around the scenic area, relaxed and stress-free. In-Depth Two-Day Tour (Mountain and Sea Combo) Day 1: Full tour of Changyu Dongtian (including sightseeing bus) → Evening to Shitang Town, stay in a seaside guesthouse, enjoy the fishing port sunset. Day 2: Watch sunrise at Shitang Millennium Dawn Park → Photo shoot at Colorful Xiaoruo Village → Hike Fangshan volcanic rock to unlock Wenling’s mountain and sea dual scenery. 4. Food and Accommodation Guide: Taste Local Flavors Must-Try Foods - Around the scenic area: Changyu specialty porridge (lean pork + egg + tofu, smooth and delicious), Grandma’s stuffed cake (glutinous rice skin wrapped with braised pork + shredded potatoes), Changyu stinky tofu (crispy outside, tender inside). - Main Meals Recommendation: "Dongtian Renjia" restaurant, specializing in seafood mung bean noodles and fermented chicken, ingredients sourced from Shitang fishing village, fresh and authentic. - Specialty Dessert: Ginger walnut egg, warms the stomach and dispels cold, a classic local Wenling snack. Accommodation Options - High-End Experience: Dongtian Yunshu, cave-style design with balconies facing the cave group night view, quiet and private. - Cost-Effective Choice: Xingcheng Hotel in Wenling city, 10 minutes by car to Beishan Pedestrian Street, convenient for dining and shopping. - Unique Experience: Seaside guesthouse in Shitang Town, watch the sunrise in the morning and listen to the waves at night, perfect for deep travelers. The magic of Changyu Dongtian lies in being "man-made, yet seemingly natural." The millennium of quarrying left not only magnificent caves but also the wisdom of ancient people. Whether you are chasing wuxia memories, family science education, or mountain and sea wandering, this place offers you a unique experience.