Jiuxiang Scenic Region


Jiuxiang Scenic Region (九乡风景区) is located in Jiuxiang Yi and Hui Autonomous Township of Yiliang County 90 km away from central Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.

It is famous for its caves, mountains, rivers, deep valleys, minority customs and cultures.

Jiuxiang Scenic Region consists of 5 major scenic spots:

  • Diehong Bridge  (叠虹桥)

  • Sanjiao Cave

  • Dasha Dam

  • Alulong

  • Mingyue Lake.

Diehong Bridge itself includes six major scenic spots: the Green Shady Valley, the White Elephant Cave, the Goddess Cave, the Lying Dragon Cave, the Bat Cave and the Tourist Cableway.

Brief introduction

Located 47 kilometers from Yiliang County, 90 kilometers away from Kunming city, only 22 kilometers from the famous stone forest, Jiuxiang Scenic Area is a famous tourist destination in Yunnan Province encompassed by karst caves, deep valleys, and Yi ethnic minority’s cultural landscapes. Jiuxiang Scenic Area has a cluster of karst caves within an area of 20 square kilometers, known as the most in number and the largest in scale in China. Together with the Stone Forest, Jiuxiang scenic area formed the three-dimensional karst landscape of "see Stone Forest on the ground and Jiuxiang caves underground". Juxiang Scenic Area consists of five scenic spots: Diehong Bridge, Sanjiao Cave, Dasha Dam, Alulong and Mingyue Lake. Only the Diehong Bridge Scenic Spot is open to public now. Diehong Bridge itself includes nine major scenic spots: the Green Shady Valley, Grand Underground Valley, the Lying Dragon Cave, the Goddess Cave, the Fairy Fields, the Lion Hall, the Bat Cave, Yi Ethnic Group Village and the Sightseeing Cableway.

Attractions in Jiuxiang Scenic Region

Lying Dragon (Wolong) Cave

The Lying Dragon Cave is featured by the Twin Waterfalls. Once entering the cave, your attention will soon drawn by two silver waterfalls. Twin waterfalls pour down from 30- meter-high cliffs in parallel creating splashing water and deafening sound, a gorgeous scene. In rainy season, twin waterfalls fuse together, making it hard to tell which is which.

Goddess (Xianren) Cave

The Goddess Cave looks like a crystal palace with crystal stalactites. It is the typical landscape of karst landform. Stalactites sitting or lying here and there just look like a crowd of fairies who are singing and dancing, like a fairy land.  

Lion (Xiongshi) Hall

The Lion Hall is a vast cave formed by stalactites covering an area of 15000 square meters which can hold thousands of people.

The Fairy Field (Shentian)

The Fairy Filed is a natural wonder resembling a terrace. Curbing Dams are scattered in graceful disorder with a total area of 100 square meters. And each dam has a depth of 10 meters. The unique karst landform is called curbing dams in geology and the smaller one curbing basin.

Yi Ethnic Group Village

It is an underground world displaying culture of Yi ethnic group. Mi Zhi Lin is a dense forest where men of Yi ethnic group worship the ancestors on festival day and women is forbidden to enter, which show the unique custom of ancient Yi ethnic group.

Bat (Bianfu) Cave

Legend says that there are ten thousand bats inhabited in the cave in the past, hence the name. Bats gradually moved away when the cave was developed into a tourist destination. The bat cave is famed as "Dangling Stone Forest Underground" with dangling stalactites.

Sightseeing cableway

The sightseeing cableway stretches across mountains and valleys with a span of nearly 1000 meters. Visitors can enjoy landscapes of different seasons in several minutes via cableway.


Client’s Reviews

  • jess n

    Reviewed 2ndAugust2014

    From the heart of kunming we took about 3 buses. We didn;t use a tour guide or tour bus. 1 inner city bus, and then 2 more buses. All rather rough trips. The caves are HUGE! and beautiful. and I lost every picture by washing...More

  • gobey

    Reviewed 27thNovember2012

    We drove to the site - the roads are in fantastic condition without much traffic. The entrance fee is reasonable. I wouldn't bother going to shilin stone forest as it's not really worth it. There's a free boat ride followed by a walk through the...More

  • Christina C

    Reviewed 7thJuly2016

    This unique attraction provides you a nice boat ride in the deep gorge exploring beautiful lit up stalactites, stalagmites and rock pillars in the underground cave and Cixiong Waterfall. Have a cable car ride to see part of the scenic region from up high afterwards....More

  • Thomas T

    Reviewed 14thMarch2015

    Expect to take a little hike up the limestone caves, although there are paid options for men to carry you up the caves in human carriages. Beautiful attraction, definitely worth a visit if you are in Kunming.

  • Paul S

    Reviewed 18thJuly2016

    Jiuxiang is a spectacular gorge and cave complex, with an underground river running through it. It is large and cavernous, and the lighting effects really enhance the scenery. Lots of up and down walking, and stone steps are very slippery, so be careful! Sadly, the...More

  • JenniferQuek

    Reviewed 1stJanuary2018

    This journey is full of surprise! Is like travelling down the Chinese movie time tunnel and enter into a long beautiful caves before flying out to the real world. Seriously recommend everyone to take a trip to this place if you have came near Kunming....More

  • RossOntario

    Reviewed 6thJune2016

    After spending first half of the day at the Stone Forest, we came to Jiuxiang . For those who love nature and geological wonder, this region has caves, rivers, waterfalls, gorges and forest. The entrance fee include the boat ride to the Terrifying Gorge. You...More

  • SusannaSofia

    Reviewed 20thJune2012

    During our travels in Asia, we've seen a LOTof caves (Yangshuo, HaLong bay) but this was perhaps the best. It was different than I expected with a lot of walking and changing landscapes. I do recommend visiting it but make sure you have at least...More

  • Anpene

    Reviewed 25thAugust2013

    In order to enjoy this large cluster of over 60 caves, it is best have no time pressure imposed by joining a tour group. The cave formations are very varied and the rivers, waterfalls and natural rock bridges very enchanting. Even though the number of...More

  • jitendert

    Reviewed 4thFebruary2012

    a must see place if you are in kunming.........enjoyed every moment of the time spent there........ couldn't find an english speaking guide but it did not matter...... had to climb a lot of stairs but was worth it................

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