A Super Detailed Travel Guide to Yixing—Your Must-See Checklist
by SerenadeMandy
Apr 17, 2025
👍️Recommended Highlights
- Magical Karst Scenery: Shanjuandong is a limestone cave composed of four interconnected sections (upper, middle, lower, and water caves), featuring astonishing stalactites and colossal rock formations.
- Unique Boat Experience: The 120-meter-long water cave offers a one-of-a-kind boating experience where "the boat floats on water while oars seem to paddle in the sky."
- Historical Relics: The area preserves numerous ancient sites including the "Guoshan Stele" from the Three Kingdoms period and the "Zhu Yingtai's Tomb Stele of Qin and Sword" from the Jin Dynasty.
- Liang-Zhu Culture: As the birthplace of this legendary love story, the site features Yingtai Pavilion, Zhuling Village ruins, a Liang-Zhu cultural exhibition hall, and traditional opera performances.
Address
Shanjuandong Scenic Area, Zhuling Village, Zhangzhu Town, Yixing City, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province.
Ticket Prices
- Combo Ticket: Original price 130 RMB/person, discounted around 110 RMB/person, covering Shanjuandong Cave, water cave boat ride, Savages Valley, cable car, slideway, Liang-Zhu Butterfly Garden, and pottery workshop.
- Basic Ticket: 70 RMB/person, including Shanjuandong Cave, water cave boat ride, and pottery workshop.
- Discounts: Free for children under 6 (or under 1.4m), seniors over 70, disabled visitors, and active military personnel with valid ID. Half-price for minors (6-18), seniors (60-69), and full-time students with valid student ID.
📅Itinerary
- Morning: Start at Savages Valley for cultural performances, then explore Shanjuandong's middle cave "Lion-Elephant Plaza" featuring lion- and elephant-shaped rocks and a 7-meter pillar peak.
- Noon: Dine at Luoyan Villa near the exit or drive 5km southwest to Zhangzhu Town for local farmhouse cuisine.
- Afternoon: Visit the upper cave "Cloud-Mist Plaza" for sights like "Lotus Reflection" and "Ancient Twin Plums," then descend to the lower cave "Another Sky" for waterfall views. Boat through the water cave, take the cable car up to Guoshan Stele and Yuantong Pavilion, then slide down.
- Evening: Enjoy tea and Liang-Zhu opera performances at the cultural garden, with optional Hanfu photo ops at Yingtai's study site.
🍜Food Guide
- Black Rice: Traditional Yixing dish made with nanzhu leaf-infused glutinous rice, fragrant and visually striking.
- Sweet & Sour Mandarin Fish: Tender fish in a tangy sauce, a local staple.
- Yangxian Tanggong Tea: Renowned tea from Yixing's historic tea region near the caves.
- Yixing Bamboo Shoots: Fresh and juicy, perfect stir-fried or in soups.
🏨Accommodation
- Luoyan Villa: Conveniently located at the scenic area exit with beautiful surroundings.
- Yixing Yinlongguling Mountain Resort: Offers mountain views and private hot springs in Yangxian Eco-Tourism Zone.
- Yixing Qixijie Hotel: Nestled at the mountain base with serene nature sounds, close to Shanjuandong.
💗Tips
- Convenience stores near water cave exit, back square, and Love Post Office sell snacks and water.
- Charging stations available at visitor center, Love Post Office, and pottery workshop.
- Cave temperature remains ~23°C year-round; bring a light jacket even in summer.
- Follow staff instructions when boating to avoid low-hanging rocks.
Post by N@t@l.3 M@rt.n | Jun 4, 2025


















