Rising from the floor and descending down from the ceiling of this great big limestone cave are stalagmites and stalactites that are lit up in a dazzling array of colors. The Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, Guangxi, China is a major landmark and tourist attraction that's often referred to as the “Palace of Natural Arts.” The natural rock formations, illuminated with artificial light, make it one of the most extraordinary underground scenes in all of China.
The 180 million year old cave is 240 meters long and has different parts that are lit up in colors that span the spectrum. One of the most highly photographed areas has a pool that gives off the illusion that it's miles deep when actually it's just reflecting the cave's roof.
As photographer Niranj Vaidyanathan states about his first-hand experience, “Artificial lighting provided inside the caves makes the stalactite and stalagmite formations look lovely. Each cave and section has unique formations and will keep the visitor mesmerized throughout. Word of advice – try not to book a package tour along with a big group of unknown people with a tour operator as you only have very limited time of about an hour or so to spend within the caves. Try booking an individual package so that you can make your own agenda if you're visiting Guilin. It's a lovely city.”
Next to the Li River, this is one of those must-visit (or must-photograph) destinations in China.
Photo credit: Niranj Vaidyanathan
