Why Is This Cave Called Silver Cave?
Guilin is famous for its karst landscape, and that means there are a lot of amazing caves to visit underground. But one of the most spectacular has to be Silver Cave, located just outside Yangshuo. This is a relatively new cave that was opened to tourists in the 1990s, and it’s got some of the most incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations you’ll see anywhere in the region.
The cave gets its name from all the white limestone stalactites and stalagmites that look like they’re made of silver when the lights hit them. When you walk inside, the whole cave seems to sparkle. It’s absolutely beautiful.
What I really like about Silver Cave compared to some other caves in the area is that everything is really well maintained. The paths are good, the lighting is done really well (not too bright and garish, just enough to show off the formations), and it’s not too crowded even during peak season. It’s a really pleasant experience.
A Bit About The Geology
Silver Cave is about 2 kilometers long, and it goes down through three different levels of limestone. What’s really amazing is that you get to see stalactites and stalagmites in all different stages of growth—from very young ones that are just starting to grow to huge mature ones that are hundreds of thousands of years old.
The cave was formed over millions of years, just like all the other caves in the area. The limestone that the cave is made of was originally deposited on the bottom of the sea millions of years ago, before the whole area was lifted up to become land. Then, over millions of years, rainwater slowly dissolved the soft limestone and created these huge underground chambers and passageways.
The formations you see today are still growing—every year, they get just a little bit bigger as more mineral-rich water drips through the cave and leaves more calcium carbonate behind.
How To Get There
Silver Cave is located about 18 kilometers south of Yangshuo town, in the middle of the karst landscape. Getting there is easy:
- By taxi: A taxi from Yangshuo town will cost you about 40-50 yuan round trip, and it takes about 25 minutes.
- By bus: There are local buses from Yangshuo that go to the cave entrance. The fare is about 10 yuan per person.
- By bike or scooter: If you’re comfortable riding a scooter, it’s a beautiful ride through the countryside from Yangshuo. It takes about 45 minutes.
- As part of a tour: Most organized tours of Yangshuo include Silver Cave as one of their stops, so you can easily add it to your itinerary.
What To Expect When You Go Inside
The walking path through the cave is about 1.5 kilometers long, and it takes about 1-1.5 hours to walk through it. The path is paved and well maintained, with steps everywhere, and it takes you through all the most impressive parts of the cave.
Some of the most famous formations include:
- The Giant Crystal Waterfall: This is a massive formation that looks like a frozen waterfall made of white crystals. It’s absolutely huge, and it’s one of the most photographed spots in the cave.
- The Mushroom Forest: This is an area with dozens of medium-sized stalagmites that look just like mushrooms growing up from the floor of the cave.
- The Silver Tree: This is a tall, thin stalagmite that goes almost all the way from the floor to the ceiling, and when the lights hit it, it really does look like it’s made of silver.
The lighting system is really well done—they use different colored lights to highlight the different formations, but it’s not overdone like in some other caves. It just enhances the natural beauty of the rock instead of overpowering it.
Best Time To Visit
- Any time of year: Because the temperature inside the cave is constant year-round, it’s good to visit any time.
- Summer: It’s especially nice in the summer because it’s nice and cool inside when it’s hot outside.
- Winter: In the winter, it’s actually warmer inside the cave than it is outside.
Practical Information
- Entrance Fee: 80 yuan per adult. Children under 1.2 meters are free.
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM every day.
- What to bring: The cave is a little bit slippery in some places, so wear shoes with good grip. It’s about 18°C inside, so bring a light jacket if you get cold easily.
- How long: 1-1.5 hours is enough time to walk through the whole cave.
- Photography: Photography is allowed, just remember that it’s dark inside so you’ll need a camera that can handle low light.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it better than Reed Flute Cave? They’re both really good. Reed Flute Cave is more famous and has more history, but Silver Cave has more spectacular formations and is less crowded. I think if you only have time for one cave in the Guilin area, you can’t go wrong with either one.
- Is it suitable for kids? Yes, absolutely. Kids love seeing all the weird rock formations, and the path is safe and easy to walk.
- Is it very crowded? Even during peak season, it’s not as crowded as some of the other tourist spots in Yangshuo. The cave is big enough that you don’t feel like you’re packed in like sardines.
- Can I go if I’m claustrophobic? Yeah, because the chambers are really big and the paths are wide. You never feel closed in.
Final Thoughts
If you’re staying in Yangshuo and you want to see one of the most spectacular caves in the Guilin area, Silver Cave is definitely worth the trip out here. The formations are incredible, the lighting is done well, everything is well maintained, and it’s just a really interesting experience. It’s a nice break from all the hiking and rafting, and it shows you another side of Guilin’s amazing karst geology that you can’t see above ground.
