Jiuxiang Caves in Yunnan: the Travel Guide

In this travel guide, you’ll find all the information you need to arrange a trip to the Jiuxiang (九乡) caves in Yunnan, some of the most spectacular in China.

If you’re traveling through Yunnan and want to explore something else beyond the more famous Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La, then the Jiuxiang Caves are a destination you shouldn’t miss. Nestled just outside Kunming, this vast limestone cave system (more than 100 caves, but only 60 have been explored) is famous for its dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers, creating a surreal landscape that feels almost otherworldly.

Beyond the caves themselves, the surrounding Jiuxiang Scenic Area is rich in karst formations, lush forests, and peaceful rural scenery, making it a place where you can explore both the depths of the earth and the beauty of Yunnan’s countryside.

This place is well known among Chinese tourists but not so much among foreigners. It is located in the south-eastern part of China, in Yiliang County (宜良县). If you want to visit Yiliang, don’t miss my travel guide.

How to get to the Jiuxiang Caves Scenic Area (九乡)

The best way to get there is to first get to Shilin by fast train from Kunming and then take a taxi or a minivan to Jiuxiang. Jiuxiang is about 30 km from Shilin. Here you can book a train ticket.

Another option would be to get a bus from the Kunming East Bus Station to Yiliang. Then take bus 21 from the Yiliang Bus Passenger Station to Jiuxiang Scenic Area (but don’t get off in Jiuxiang Town).

An easier but more expensive solution would be to organize a tour with a local travel agency. Feel free to DM me on Instagram if you need help.

How to visit Jiuxiang

Right after the entrance, you can walk down some stairs and, if you want, ride a boat for about one km. The ride is quite short, but the view is breathtaking. It reminds me of the first part of the Underground River in the Philippines. The official name of this place is Green Shady Valley (Yìncuì Xiá 荫翠峡).

After finishing the boat ride, the path carved into the rock begins, leading to the entrance of the cave complex. It is truly spectacular. The gorge is called Terrifying Gorge (Jīnghún Xiá 惊魂峡) and is about 700 meters long and nearly 100 meters deep. It was named in honor of those who attempted to create the trails without falling into the gorge.

The river flows through most of the caves, and several bridges have been built to access all the main caves. After a while, you’ll get to a huge cave with a permanent photography exposition and a gift shop.

The cave is called Male Lion Hall (Xióngshī Tīng 雄狮厅). It covers 15,000 square meters but has no pillars in the hall. Some say that it’s the largest underground hall in the world, but I couldn’t verify this claim.

Right after the Male Lion Hall, you’ll get to another cave filled with amazing stalactites and stalagmites. They are illuminated with multicolored neon light, like every other cave in China.

After this cave, you can keep walking towards the river. You’ll get to a place with some interesting rock formations that are somehow similar to the ones in Pamukkale, Turkey. Another bridge connects the two sides of the cave, and then the river forms a beautiful twin waterfall.

Final Thoughts

Visiting the Jiuxiang Caves is a nice experience, but I think it’s important to come with the right expectations. The caves themselves are stunning, with dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers that feel almost otherworldly. At the same time, all of the grottoes are equipped with intense artificial lighting, which highlights the formations beautifully for photos but can take away a bit of the natural, mysterious atmosphere. If you’re hoping for a tranquil, untouched experience, you might be a little disappointed.

The area is popular with Chinese tourists, and that means it can get quite noisy. People are often talking, taking selfies, and moving through the caves at the same time, which can make the experience feel more crowded than it looks in photos. That said, I still think it’s worth visiting. The sheer scale of the caves and the surrounding scenic area more than make up for these small compromises. I would suggest approaching your visit with patience and a sense of adventure, so you can fully enjoy the unique beauty of Jiuxiang without letting the crowds distract you.

As always, don’t forget to get a VPN before traveling to China. I recommend this one. If you prefer an eSIM, this is a great option. Finally, don’t forget to get a good travel insurance such as this one.

Here are other pictures I took in Yunnan. On this page, I told the stories of the women with the “Lotus Feet.” Don’t miss my Yunnan travel guide.