Longmen Water Cave was a recently opened sight, in Longmen village,
3 km from Moon Hill. It is the largest and one of the most exciting
natural caves to explore in Yangshuo. Running through 3
mountains, the cave is about 3km long. The water 0.5m deep flows
gently through.
Used as refuge by the local villagers from the invading Japanese
army during WW II , the cave draws its name from a tiny stalagmite
resembling the Maitreya, located a short distance inside the cave.
It's easy to see why the locals thought the cave secure from the
Japanese and why portions are still off-limits to visitors.
The cave is full of narrow, maze-like, and sometimes dangerous
passages. Be warned, even in the areas open to the public there
have been injuries during the cave's 10 years as a tourist
attraction. A guide and a flashlight are necessary, and it is
necessary to crawl through muddy holes, climb up and down
stalagmites, and sidle in between stalactites with the aid of ropes
and ladders.
The cave is the most extensive, unaltered subterranean micro cosmos
in the area. Complete with stalactite “drums” and an underground
waterfall pool you can bathe and swim. Bring your swimsuit and
towel.