National park · China
Benxi Shuidong National Park本溪水洞国家公园
Enter Benxi Shuidong National Park: pay the entry fee (check), take the boat ride on the Milky Way river, and explore the main cavern trail; avoid peak weekend crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Exact park area not published (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Benxi Shuidong National Park features a 3 km underground river illuminated by colored lights, stalactite‑stalagmite formations, and a short boat ride through the cavern system.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1994.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1994
Exact park area not published (check).
Why go
- Explore a 3‑km underground river lit by colored lighting.
- See stalactite and stalagmite formations with whimsical names.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave‑dwelling batsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Shenyang
Direct bus leaves in the morning, returns afternoon.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Benxi
Minibus from Benxi train station, regular departures.
30–45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cavern entrance | Ticket gate, visitor centre, start of boat ride. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Milky Way river | Boat route through the 3‑km underground river. | Boat tickets sold at entrance. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata for the park centre; exact entrance location approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Photography
- Allowed, but flash may be restricted in some chambers.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins limited.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; stay in Benxi city.
Where to stay
Near the park
Benxi city hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range hotels, 30 km (19 mi) from park.Range of budget to mid‑range hotels, 19 mi (30 km) from park.
Safety
Slippery surfaces low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance and boat dock are wheelchair‑accessible with ramps.
Visiting lightly
- Use the official boat service to limit environmental impact.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Benxi Shuidong National Park?
The official entry fee is not listed online; check the ticket office at the park entrance for current rates.
What are the best hikes in Benxi Shuidong National Park?
The main walk follows the underground river and the cavern trail; there are no separate mountain hikes within the park.
When is the best time to visit Benxi Shuidong National Park?
The cavern stays at a constant 10 °C year‑round, so any month is suitable; avoid Chinese public holidays for fewer crowds.
Can I bring a camera with flash?
Flash may be restricted in some chambers to protect wildlife; follow staff instructions.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in Benxi city.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Benxi Shuidong National Park
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