Reed Flute Cave 2026: Tickets, Light Show & Visitor Tips
Reed Flute Cave is a 240-million-year-old limestone cave north of Guilin lit with coloured lights. Learn the ticket price, temperature and the route through the stalactite 'palaces'.
$12.70 list price per adult (about $12.40 when booked online), guided tour included. Peak season April-November 7:30-18:00 (last entry 17:30); off-season December-March 8:00-17:30 (last entry 17:00). The cave holds a constant 18-19°C, so bring a light jacket even in summer. Half price ($6.30) for full-time students and ages 60-69; free for children under 1.2m and seniors 70+ — these discounts require Chinese-issued documents and do not apply to foreign passport holders.
Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩) is a 240-million-year-old limestone cavern about 7 km northwest of central Guilin, lit with coloured lights that turn its stalactites into a sci-fi “palace of nature.” It is the city’s most famous cave and a cool, easy half-day escape.
Intro: why go
If the karst peaks are Guilin above ground, this is Guilin below it. A paved loop leads you past formations with names like Crystal Palace and Dragon Tower, all lit in shifting colour. It is touristy and a little theatrical, but the scale is real and the air is a constant cool 18 to 19°C — a blessing in summer.
Tickets & booking
The list price is about $12.70 per adult, about $12.40 when booked online, and the guided tour is included. Peak season runs April to November with hours 7:30 to 18:00, last entry 17:30; off-season is 8:00 to 17:30. The cave is constant temperature, so bring a light jacket. Half price applies to full-time students and ages 60–69, and children under 1.2 m and seniors 70 plus enter free — but those discounts require Chinese-issued documents and do not apply to foreign passport holders.
How to get there & in-site route
A taxi from the centre costs about $6–10, or take a local bus toward the cave. Inside, follow the one-way lit loop with your guide or audio set; the walk is roughly an hour and the path is flat and smooth. Photography is allowed without flash, and the best shots are where the coloured lights pool on the stalagmites.
Facilities
There are toilets, a gift shop and a small cafe at the entrance plaza. Card and mobile payment both work. The cave floor can be damp, so wear grippy shoes.
Best season & seasonal pros and cons
Summer is the best time to enjoy the cool interior. Spring and autumn are pleasant outside. Winter is quiet but the approach road can be chilly. Avoid the October holiday if you dislike crowds inside the narrow passages.
Tips & scams
The photo print stalls near the exit are optional and overpriced; decline politely. Do not stray from the lit path, and watch your head on low formations. Combine the cave with Fubo Hill or a city loop on the same morning.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the Reed Flute Cave ticket?
- The list price is about $12.70 per adult, around $12.40 booked online, and the guided tour is included. Verify the current price on site.
- Is the cave cold inside?
- Yes. It holds a constant 18 to 19°C, so bring a light jacket even in summer. The walk is about an hour on paved, lit paths.
- Are there discounts for foreign visitors?
- Half price for full-time students and ages 60 to 69, and free for children under 1.2 m and seniors 70 plus. These discounts need Chinese-issued documents and do not apply to foreign passport holders.
Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18. Ticket seasons and crowd seasons are different things — this page states both where they differ.