Sigangli Cave in Cangyuan County, Lincang

Chinese Name: 沧源司岗里溶洞
Chinese Pinyin: Cang Yuan Si Gang Li Rong Dong
English Name: Sigangli Karst Cave in Cangyuan County (Division in the post)
Type: karst landform, cave
Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
Recommended Visiting Hours: 2-3 hours
Location: Menglai Town of Cangyuan County (30 KM away from the County)
Admission Fee: RMB 50

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🔍 Geological & Cultural Highlights

🪨 Karst Marvel

Cave Structure
Sigangli Cave features a striking Y-shaped layout, with the main chamber stretching over 1,115 meters. At its highest point, the ceiling rises more than 40 meters. The cave was formed by the slow dissolution of Paleozoic-era carbonate rocks through underground water over millions of years.

Speleothem Formations
Marvel at clusters of massive stalagmites, the tallest exceeding 10 meters with diameters up to 3.5 meters. Intricate stone draperies and crystalline flowstones resemble jade corridors, while the cave’s rippled walls record the erosion of an ancient subterranean river.

Underground Mysteries
Exploration has revealed over 1,500 meters of total length, with an unmapped extension reaching 1,565 meters. The domed ceilings and piles of collapsed boulders suggest complex geological evolution — still a puzzle for scientists.

🪶 Sacred Wa Cultural Sanctuary

Origin Myth
In the Wa language, “Sigangli” means “the birthplace of mankind.” Sacred stalagmites within the cave are revered as pillars holding up heaven and earth, while layered stone draperies are believed to symbolize ancestral migration paths.

Ritual Sites
A circular stone platform near the cave’s heart is thought to be a prototype of ancient Wa sacrificial altars. Its design aligns closely with the Wa epic “Sigangli,” which tells of the world’s creation and the people’s origins.

🚶 Recommended Touring Route

Main Exploration Route

1. Begin at the Visitor Center, where flashlights are provided free of charge

2. Walk through the Stalagmite Hall (approx. 30 mins)

3. Proceed to the “Jade Corridor” zone, rich in chemical deposits (20 mins)

4. Finish at the Ancient Riverbed Chamber, where ghostly ripples mark ancient water flows (25 mins)

Linked Attractions

At the cave’s exit, a scenic 2.3-km path leads to Menglai Village Cliff Art Valley, home to 3,500-year-old Wa cliff paintings — a perfect cultural continuation of the Sigangli experience.

⚠️ Visitor Essentials

🚫 Rules & Respect

• Do Not Enter Undeveloped Side Passages: These areas are unsafe and strictly off-limits

• No Climbing: The ancient river zone is extremely slippery — climbing is forbidden

• Protect the Ecosystem: Do not touch the stalactites or stalagmites — these calcium carbonate formations take centuries to form

• Respect the Sacred: Do not step on the ceremonial stone altar, and maintain silence to honor the spiritual atmosphere

💎 Signature Experiences

Shine your beam through timeless darkness →
Trace the elegant stone drapes to follow the Wa ancestors’ path →
Stand beneath the Sacred Pillar of Heaven and Earth, where creation myths echo through stone

Nearby Attractions

Wengding Wa Ethnic Village

Wengding Wa Ethnic Village(翁丁佤寨) is an over 400 year-old Wa ethic village. Wengding means where the clouds are floating since mists often cloak the mountains throughout the year. People who live there have been called“ the last tribe of China’’,it has preserved the typical style of Wa residential architecture and primitive folk customs. Surrounded by lush trees, the village consists of 98 households with over 400 residence Of Wa people. The local elder stated that the woods protect the safety of the village. Inside of village has the best preserved cottages, totem, the woods, Village pillars and worship places, which reflects the splendid history and culture of Wa people. Black is auspicious color of Wa people. The elder, men and women, prefer holding tobacco pipe when they are free.

Cangyuan Cliff Painting

Cangyuan Cliff Painting (沧源岩画), the oldest cliff painting of China, enjoys the history of 3000 years. It is painted with red paint with fingers or feathers. Pigments may be made from animal blood and hematite powder. The cliff paintings mainly describe the hunting activities, production activities and entertainment activities etc. There is also a war triumph, a picture of the bamboo house and the people who hold the weapon and get back with victory. The rough and simple painting is an important material for studying the history of the ancient nationalities of south of China.

Useful Travel Tips

It is dark inside the Sigangli Karst Cave, we can pay a deposit, RMB 10, at the ticket booth to rent a flashlight.

We can take the minibus printed with “Rural Transportation” to Sigangli Scenic Spot on the central plaza of Cangyuan County, and the fee is negotiable, around RMB 260.