The Shihua, or Stone-flower, Cave is located at NancheyingVillage in Hebei Township 50 kilometers southwest of central Beijing. Deriving its name from a large number of colorful stone flowers, the cave was discovered in 1446 and is a representative landscape of karst (eroded limestone) caves in North China. A variety of stalagmites, stalactites, stone waterfalls, stone curtains, stone towers, stone pearls and crystal flowers make visitors feel they are in an underground palace. Honored as one of the four most famous caves in China, the temperature of the cave is a constant, comfortable 13 C (55.4 F). With seven levels and an underground river running through the lowest level, the cave is a rare pleasure. At present, only the first four floors of the multi-layer limestone structure are open to tourists. Sixteen halls make up the more than 2,500 meters of the cave's length. Among them, beautiful rock formations such as a huge stalactite in the first corridor, two stone shields, a stone curtain and a stone flag are the most alluring ones. The abundant geological resources make the ShihuaCave valuable for geological research, scientific education, and tours. It is reputed to be the "Underground Pearl of Beijing."
Address: HebeiTownship, Fangshan District, Beijing.
Admission: 70 yuan
Open Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.
Bus Routes: take Bus 917 at Tianqiao (or Liuliqiao) to Shihuadong Luko and change to Minibus 38
Telephone: 010-60312243
Star Rating: AAAA
Nearby Sights: YinhuCave, Jiangjuntuo Scenic Area