Introduction
Why the Reed Flute Cave is special
China has more caves than any other nation. Most travelers consider the Reed Flute Cave (situated just outside the city of Guilin) to be the most interesting.
Insights on the Reed Flute Cave
Reed Flute Cave has remarkable stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations in a myriad of fanciful shapes.
However, I believe some guides overly focus on what the formations resemble (birds, animals, flowers, what have you) at the expense of focusing on the beauty of the formations and explaining how they evolved. Taking the "use your imagination" approach is good, but it can be overdone.
Another issue: Many formations are overly illuminated with multi-colored lights, which masks and distracts from the cave's natural beauty.
The reflecting pool in the Crystal Room of Reed Flute Cave enchants (if a previous visitor has not made ripples by mindlessly waving his hand in the pool's water).
Interesting tidbits
The Reed Flute Cave was created by an ancient underground river, which slowly eroded the interior of the limestone mountain.
The cave was popular with tourists and poets about 1300 years ago during the Tang Dynasty. Some wrote inscriptions on the cave walls, which can be seen today.
The name "Reed Flute" came about because reeds that are used for making flutes grew at the cave's entrance.
Reed Flute Cave is large enough to hold over a thousand people at one time. Its space was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.
Tips for your vacation tour or trip
Reed Flute can be crowded, with the voice of guides discordantly blaring on handheld megaphones. I recommend entering Reed Flute Cave when it first opens in the morning, before the tour groups arrive. This way, you can enjoy Reed Flute Cave in its irresistible mode, silent and serene.
For fewer fellow cave tourists, visit the worthy Seven Star cave (also near Guilin).
The visitor's route inside Reed Flute Cave is 240 meters (800 feet). The one inside Seven Star cave is longer. Plan on spending one hour in Reed Flute cave, two hours in Seven Star cave.
Bring a light sweater should a damp, 20C (68F) cave environment make you feel uncomfortably cold.
Wear shoes with good traction because some steps inside a cave can be a bit wet and slippery. |
