Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan), Guilin
Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩) is a show cave about 6 km north-west of central Guilin, on the Taohua River. Inside, a lit path of about 500 metres winds past stalactites, stone columns and pools, and takes around 40 minutes. In 2026 an adult ticket costs 90 yuan at the gate, or 82 yuan if you buy it at least a day ahead on the cave's official WeChat account. It opens 07:30 to 18:00 every day. It is the best of Guilin's caves for a short visit, but on a three-day trip the Li River and Yangshuo deserve the time first. Treat the cave as a fourth-day extra or a rainy-day plan.
The full Guilin plan is in the Guilin travel guide.
What it's like inside
The cave is lit in strong colours, red, green and violet, rather than plain white. Some people find that tacky, others love it. Either way the formations are real and densely packed: the cave drips a lot, and the columns and curtains grow close together, so the path twists between them. The named "scenes" along the way (Lion Ridge at Dawn, the Crystal Palace and so on) are an old Chinese show-cave tradition. Enjoy them or ignore them.
The less obvious attraction is the writing on the walls. People have been coming here since the Tang dynasty, and 77 ink inscriptions left by earlier visitors survive. The cave was developed for tourism after 1959, and the grounds outside now have ponds, gardens and a teahouse.
Practical points:
- The path is concrete, with handrails, but it is damp, uneven in places and has steps. Wear shoes with grip.
- The air is cool and humid all year. In summer it feels like air conditioning. In winter bring a layer.
- Visits usually move in groups at a steady pace, and you can't linger long at the biggest chambers when the next group arrives behind you.
- The route isn't step-free, so it is hard going with a wheelchair or a pushchair.
- Flash photography is discouraged where signs say so, and the coloured lights do most of the work anyway.
Tickets
| Ticket | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Adult at the gate | 90 yuan |
| Adult, bought at least one day ahead online | 82 yuan |
| Ages 6 to 18, full-time students, ages 70 and over (at the gate) | 45 yuan |
| 6 and under or 1.2 m and under | Free |
The official channel is the 桂林市芦笛岩景区 WeChat account, under 官微购票. Ticket platforms also sell it, but some online tickets only become valid an hour after booking, so don't buy one standing at the gate. A small shuttle train from the car park towards the cave is charged separately. These are the published 2026 prices, so check the gate board for holiday changes.
Reed Flute or Seven-Star Cave?
Seven-Star Cave is in a larger park across the Li River, east of the centre, with its own ticket. Reed Flute is shorter, more compact and more colourful, and it is the easier choice if you want one cave in a morning. Doing both is a full day underground, and few visitors need that.
Is it worth a slot on your trip?
Three days in Guilin and Yangshuo: probably not. The Li River cruise and a morning on the Yulong River give you far more of what Guilin is famous for.
Four days, or a rainy day: yes. It is one of the few good indoor sights in town, and it makes a neat morning before a flight from Liangjiang airport, which is also west of the city.
Travelling with children: usually a hit, as long as they can manage the steps.
If you want a history stop instead, Duxiu Peak and the Ming princes' city are in the centre. For a view, try Diecai Hill.
Getting there
The cave is at 1 Ludi Road, Xiufeng District. It is a short taxi ride from the centre. City buses also run out this way; check the current route on a map app such as Amap or Baidu Maps before setting off. Allow about an hour and a half for the whole visit, including the ticket office, the walk to the cave mouth and the grounds.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Reed Flute Cave in 2026?
90 yuan for adults at the gate, 82 yuan if booked at least a day ahead on the official WeChat account, and 45 yuan for children, students and visitors aged 70 and over.
How long does Reed Flute Cave take?
About 40 minutes inside the cave and about an hour and a half including tickets and the grounds.
Is Reed Flute Cave worth visiting?
Yes, as an extra on a fourth day or when it rains. On a three-day trip, the Li River cruise and Yangshuo are better uses of the time.