Dalongdong Cave in Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong

Dalongdong Cave in Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong

Attraction Overview

Dalongdong Cave Scenic Area is a natural forest park and a summer resort for sightseeing, playing, boating and fishing in Zhaotong. It is one of the eight sceneries of Zhaoyang district of Zhaotong city, named "Longdong Xiyue(dragon hole sucking moon)" or "Longquan Yingyue(dragon spring reflecting moon)".

Chinese Name: 昭通大龙洞(Pinyin: Dalongdong)

Best Time to Visit: All-year-round

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 Hour

Open Hours: 8:00-22:00

Admission Fee: CNY 20

Location: on Jiulong mountain, 10 kilometers northern suburb of Zhaotong City of Yunnan Province

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📍 Location & Access

Coordinates: Jiulongshan South, Beizha Town, Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong (云南省昭通市昭阳区北闸镇九龙山南麓)
Altitude: 1,950 m | Distance to City Center: 10-12 km (15-20 min drive)

🚗 Transportation

From Route Duration Cost Tips
Major Cities Flight → Zhaotong Airport → Taxi 30min ¥60 Flights from Kunming/Chongqing/Chengdu ✈️
Chengdu/Chongqing HSR → Yibin/Bijie → Bus to Zhaotong → Taxi 2.5-3h ¥150+ Bus connections at station exits 🚌
Zhaotong City Bus #12 / Tourist Line 1 20min ¥2 Direct to entrance 🚎
Self-Drive G85 Expressway → “Zhaotong North” Exit 15min Toll + ¥10 parking Navigate to “大龙洞风景区” 🚗

🌟 Must-See Wonders

🌊 Karst Water Cave
– 30m “Dragon Pool” fed by underground springs
– Rare 32m “Double Helix Stalagmite” + glowing 200m² “Crystal Curtain” calcium formations 💎

🏯 Millennial Heritage
– Han Dynasty (1st c. BC): Ancient city water source
– Qing Dynasty (1771): Dragon God Temple complex with Taoist shrines
– Annual Festival: “Shua Longdong” Temple Fair (Feb/Mar) with dragon dances 🐉

🌳 Eco-Paradise
– 2,000-acre forest (19°C summer avg) 🌲
– 20,000 negative ions/cm³ – “Natural Air Purifier”
– Three interconnected pools: Koi viewing, prayer coins, fish release

⏳ Itineraries

Classic 2h Route
Entrance → Dragon God Temple (Taoist music) → Dragon Pool photo spot → Cave walkway (light show) → Ancient Theater (Yi dance flash mobs) → Tea Garden

Half-Day Adventure
Morning visit + Jiulongshan 13-Peak Hike (40min) → Panorama of Zhaotong’s “Apple Valley” 🍎

🌙 Night Exploration (Jul-Aug)
Friday/Saturday cave tours with light installations & fireflies ✨

🎫 Practical Info

  • Hours: 8:30-18:00 (Day) / 19:00-21:30 (Seasonal Night)
  • Admission: ¥60 | Locals ¥30 | Free ≥60yo/≤1.2m
  • Best Season: Apr-Oct (water flow) | Dec-Feb (misty atmosphere)
  • Eat:
    – Cave Entrance: Liangfen jelly & baked potatoes (¥5) 🥔
    – City Breakfast: Yougao Erkuai (fried rice cake) + soy milk
  • Stay:
    – Nearby: Beizha homestays (¥100-180) with apple picking (Sep-Oct) 🍏
    – City: Hilton/Hanting hotels (¥250-400) near Shenggeng Park fountain show

✨ Why Visit?

Where a 2,000-year-old spring flows through karst caves and Qing temples under Wumeng Mountain clouds – Dalong Cave (大龙洞) is Zhaotong’s living history book and nature’s air-conditioned sanctuary. 📖💦