Huanglong Cave
Huanglong Cave
Overview
Huanglong Cave, located within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, China, is renowned for its remarkable karst landform. Covering an impressive area of 100,000 square meters, the cave is celebrated for its majestic karst formations and picturesque underground rivers, offering visitors a unique and captivating sightseeing experience. The geological significance of the Huanglong Cave is recognized by experts both domestically and internationally as a quintessential example of karst cave formations, serving as a "textbook" representation of such natural wonders.
Features
Dragon Palace
The Dragon Palace is the most prominent and captivating section of the Huanglong Cave. Spanning an area of 15,000 square meters with an average height of 40 meters, this chamber is adorned with over 2,000 stalagmites, each distinct in form and hue. These formations resemble various figures, including animals, treasures, cedar trees, and even rockets poised for launch. The Dragon Palace also houses two serene pools, where blossoms thrive in the clear waters. Stalactites embellish the ceiling, surrounded by vivid frescoes, while numerous stalagmites stand like worshipers around the largest stalagmite, which measures 12 meters in height and 10 meters in diameter.
Xiangshui River
Situated on the second floor of the Huanglong Cave, the Xiangshui River flows for 2,800 meters with an average depth of 6 meters. The river maintains a consistent water temperature of approximately 15°C throughout the year. It is home to a variety of aquatic life, including transparent "glass fish" and the nationally protected Andrias davidianus, commonly known as the Chinese giant salamander.
Unique Pillar
The Unique Pillar stands as one of the most iconic features of the Huanglong Cave. This towering stalagmite, the tallest in the cave, reaches a height of 19.2 meters. It features a distinctive shape, being thick at both ends and narrowing to a mere 10 centimeters in diameter at its thinnest point. Having grown in this formation for 200,000 years, the Unique Pillar continues to extend upwards each year and is projected to reach the cave's ceiling in approximately 60,000 years. To safeguard this natural wonder, the management of the scenic area has taken the unprecedented step of purchasing a 100 million yuan insurance policy for the Unique Pillar, marking the first such insurance for a natural heritage site in China. Article reference1. Huanglong Cave Scenic Area. whhlyt.hunan.gov.cn/whhlyt/english/en_index.html. 2022Photo Gallery（4 pictures）CategoriesTourismTagNatural WonderCatalogue1. Overview2. Features- - - []