China has more caves than any other country. Most travelers consider the Reed Flute Cave to be the most interesting. Reed Flute Cave is situated in a completely concealed spot on Guangming Hill, 3.2 miles northwest of the town. Its name is explained by the fact that reeds for making flutes and pipes have been grown in this region since ancient times. This dripstone cave is 790 ft deep, and a visitor will walk for some 550 yards through a zigzagging sea of stalactites and stalagmites in dazzling colors.

"Reed Flute" derives from some reeds that are used for making flutes grew at the cave's entrance. The Reed Flute Cave was created by an ancient underground river, which slowly eroded the interior of the limestone mountain. It has remarkable stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations in a myriad of fanciful shapes. Many formations are overly illuminated with multi-colored lights, which masks and distracts from the cave's natural beauty.

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.

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.

Wear shoes with good traction because some steps inside a cave can be a bit wet and slippery.

Over 70 wall inscriptions from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) bear eloquent witness to the cave's long history.