Plan at a glance
Location, entrance and ticket choices
Zhanggong Cave is in Zhangyang Village, Hufu Town, Yixing, Wuxi, with the main gate as the usual entrance. Adult package tickets bought online one day ahead are about CNY 79.9–99.9; the on-site adult package is about CNY 110. Tickets for visitors aged 60 and over and children 1.2–1.4 metres are about CNY 50–80. Packages may include different combinations of rafting, the cave and underground river, so check the inclusions first.
Seasonal hours and time needed
In August, weekday hours are generally 07:30–18:00 with last entry at 17:00, while Saturday and Sunday hours are generally 07:30–20:30 with last entry at 18:30. From September through December, hours are generally 07:30–17:00 with last entry at 16:30. A quick visit takes about 1.5–2 hours; the full rafting, underground river, cave and pottery route takes about 3–4 hours, depending on queues.
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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Rafting, underground river and cave
The bamboo rafting course is to the right of the entrance. Its water is generally calm and works for families and first-time riders. The natural cave stays around 18°C and includes features such as Sea King Hall and small performances, making it a useful summer escape. The underground-river activity requires two people to paddle a raft into the cave, so it needs more effort and coordination.
Who it suits
Visitors who want a quick core experience can choose the rafting and cave. With more time, add the underground river and the purple-sand pottery studio. Families should check which activities are open and how long the queues are that day; visitors with limited mobility should assess the rafting, cave steps and paddling separately, since not every activity is guaranteed to operate on the same day.
Build your day
A 1.5–2-hour quick route
Enter and go first to the bamboo rafting, then visit the natural cave and leave through the exit. Clothes may become slightly wet after the rafting, so placing it early makes the rest of the visit easier. If the underground river has a long queue, leave it for another visit and use the cave route for the main experience.
A 3–4-hour full route
Start with the bamboo rafting on the right side of the entrance, then go to the underground river for self-paddling, visit the natural cave and finish at the purple-sand pottery studio if interested. The underground river needs two people working together, and the change between the rafting water and the cool cave affects comfort, so allow time to change, queue and rest.
Get there
Public transport and high-speed rail
Bus 188 from Yixing Bus Station stops at Zhanggong Cave Station. Zhanggong Cave is about 30 minutes by road from central Yixing; there is no direct metro or bus from central Wuxi, so non-drivers can take high-speed rail to Yixing Station and transfer to a local bus or taxi.
Driving and parking
Navigate to Zhanggong Cave and expect parking of about CNY 15 per visit. The main lot can fill quickly in the busy season; Lot 2 is farther from the entrance but makes the return from the exit easier. Shanjuan Cave and Yixing Bamboo Forest are nearby, so confirm the last-entry time at each attraction before combining them.
Know before you go
Queues, temperature and extra charges
Queues for popular activities can exceed one hour on weekends and holidays. Weekdays or arrival before 08:00 make the full route easier. In the busy season, a crowded cave can feel warmer and less well ventilated; fixed-point photos at the rafting, cave and underground-river areas cost about CNY 20–25 each, while firing or framing the free pottery-clay experience costs about CNY 30 extra.
Photography and food
Staff may offer photography and purchases at the activity points, so confirm whether you want them before paying. The free pottery-clay activity and later firing or framing are separate services. Nearby options include Hufu Zhouzhen Wontons and Xiangyuanlou Restaurant; after eating, leave time to walk from Lot 2 back to the vehicle.