Plan at a glance
A one-way cave route near the city
Longlin Palace is in Gaoqiaoba, Enshi. The attraction is officially listed here as Longlin Palace (龙鳞宫); the Chinese name is also sometimes written 龙麟宫. Its main experience is a cave route linking Shuidong (水洞 / Water Cave), Handong (旱洞 / Dry Cave) and Mijin Dong (迷津洞), usually taking about 1–2 hours. Expect underground water, stalactites, lighting and floating bridges.
Time and mobility
The express route takes about one hour and the highlights route about 1.5–2 hours. The full route involves about 3,000–3,500 steps and the steep Baibu Tianti (百步天梯). Cave paths are slippery, wheelchairs cannot be used throughout, and the attraction is not suitable for visitors who cannot manage stairs or need continuous mobility assistance.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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See the Water Cave highlights
With limited time, walk across the Water Cave floating bridge to Mingjing Ting (明镜厅) and then follow the main path out, taking about one hour. The underground river at Mingjing Ting is good for stalactite reflections, while the floating bridge frames the depth from the entrance into the dark water. This short route covers the most accessible water scenery.
Walk the Water, Dry and Mijin Caves
With 1.5–2 hours, take the complete one-way route through the Water Cave, Dry Cave and Mijin Cave, then leave through the exit. Along the way, look for the Dinggong Shenzhen (定宫神针) and Yinhe Rongdong (银河溶洞). A light show may run on the hour, depending on the day's arrangements, so watch it if it fits your position on the route.
Suitable for families and photographers
Children who can walk independently, photographers and reasonably fit older adults can enjoy the route; visitors with limited mobility should choose carefully. The cave stays around 18–20°C, which feels cool in summer. When photographing reflections and lighting, account for wet stairs, the visitor flow and the one-way route.
Build your day
1-hour express route
Enter the Water Cave, cross the floating bridge, stop at Mingjing Ting for the water and stalactite reflections, then continue straight out along the main path. This concentrates the visit on the water scenery and the easiest photography points, leaving time for other city attractions.
1.5–2-hour highlights route
After entering, follow the one-way route through the Water Cave, Dry Cave and Mijin Cave before leaving at the exit. You can pause at Dinggong Shenzhen, Yinhe Rongdong and the light-show area; the on-the-hour programme is something to catch if your arrival time lines up with it.
Use the restroom before entering
There is a restroom at the entrance, but none inside the cave. After collecting your ticket, use the restroom and finish your water arrangements before entering the one-way route. Slow down in the early section if you want to photograph the Mingjing Ting reflections, but continue along the open path rather than returning through crowded sections.
Get there
Bus or taxi
Take city bus 3 to the “Longlin Palace” stop. A taxi from Enshi city or the railway station covers about 8 km, takes about 30 minutes and costs about CNY 30–40. Navigate directly to “Longlin Palace”; Enshi has no metro system.
Official parking
Drive to Longlin Palace and use the scenic area's official car park, about a five-minute walk from the entrance. Parking costs about CNY 5 per visit for up to four hours. Prices and walking distances at roadside solicitation points may be unclear, so compare them with the official car park before leaving your vehicle.
Know before you go
Opening hours, tickets and concessions
Adult admission costs about CNY 50, or about CNY 42 online. Students and visitors aged 60–69 receive half-price admission with valid identification; children under 1.2 m, active-duty military personnel and visitors aged 70 or above follow the attraction's concession rules. From April to October, hours are about 08:00–18:30 with last entry at 17:30. From January to March and November to December, hours are about 08:00–18:00 with last entry at 17:00.
Check opening after heavy rain
Heavy rain can raise the river outside the cave and lead to temporary closure. During the rainy season, call 0718-8986088 before setting out. Even when open, the cave stairs may be wet; wear shoes with good grip and slow down on the Baibu Tianti if heights make you uncomfortable.
Cave temperature and photography
The cave stays around 18–20°C, so a light layer is useful in summer. The Water Cave floating bridge gives depth to photographs, Mingjing Ting works for low-angle reflections, and Yinhe Rongdong for lights and rock textures. Paid photos at the exit cost about CNY 30; decide from the on-site display.
Food and nearby plans
Food choices around Longlin Palace are limited, so plan a full meal after returning to Enshi city, with options such as local cured fish, duck dishes or regional noodles. Tusi City and Daughter City can be separate stops on the same or another day; Longlin Palace does not provide a shared ticket or fixed shuttle to them.