China · CAVES, GORGES & WATERFALLS

Top 15 Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls Tours in China

29 tours  ·  from $27 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 caves, gorges & waterfalls tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Gulong Gorge Skywalk Glass Bridge and Waterfall View Private Tour - Crossing the Gulong Gorge glass skywalk
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Private, Tianmen Mountain & Glass Bridge Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guangzhou

Gulong Gorge Skywalk Glass Bridge and Waterfall View Private Tour

1.Gulong Gorge Skywalk Glass Bridge and Waterfall View Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · from $140Our pick

Travel from downtown Guangzhou to Gulong Gorge in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a local English-speaking guide. Walk across the glass skywalk, see waterfalls, and choose an extra such as hot springs, Huangteng Gorge, Sunac Land, or Jinlong Cave. Guides including Damon, Candice, Celine, Zack, and Zach can help with photos, food, and timing.

“Highly recommended to do this tour. it is a beautiful scenic tour into the Guangzhou farmlands. The excursions were top class and we had an amazing day.”

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Private Xi'an Tour: Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum, Cave Homes - A short look inside a Yaodong cave home
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Museums, Private, Terracotta Warriors Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Xi'an

Private Xi’an Tour: Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum, Cave Homes

2.Private Xi’an Tour: Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum, Cave Homes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · from $175

Spend about eight hours with a private English-speaking guide visiting the Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum, and a traditional Yaodong cave home. Hotel pickup, private transport, entrance fees, and lunch are included. Guides such as Michael, Jackie, Victoria, and Chris have led this route, which suits families, couples, and solo visitors wanting history with local context.

“What a great day with Michael! He was extremely informative, took us to all the sites plus some more. Our lunch was one of the best meals of the trip. Definitely would recommend and book again!”

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1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show - Xianggong Hill: the view worth the stairs
1-Day Tours, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show

3.1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $89

This 12-hour private tour links Guilin and Yangshuo with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned car. You visit Reed Flute Cave, climb Xianggong Hill, ride a small boat from Xingping toward Nine-Horse Mural Hill, explore West Street, and watch Impression Liu San Jie. Guides such as Andy, Jerry, Jeff, and Jacky are noted for flexibility.

“I really enjoyed visiting the Flute Cave and the bamboo boat tour in Guilin — both were beautiful experiences. The tour guide was very kind and informative, which made the trip even better. However, I didn’t enjoy the evening show as much; it was quite noisy with many people talking and moving around during the performance.”

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Leshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area and Panda Park Day Tour - Morning at the Chengdu Panda Base
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Giant Panda Tours, Leshan Giant Buddha Tours, Panda Tours in Chengdu, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Chengdu

Leshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area and Panda Park Day Tour

4.Leshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area and Panda Park Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 67 reviews · from $116

Meet pandas at the Chengdu Research Base, then travel to Leshan for its 71-meter cliff-carved Buddha and Lingyun Temple. Guides such as Mark and James add local stories and clear English commentary. The day runs about 12 hours, with hotel pickup inside Chengdu’s second ring road and city-center drop-off at Tianfu Square.

“Excellent all day tour, we were picked up from our hotel at 7:30 am and dropped off in the city center at around 8 pm. Tour involves a lot of driving between the two locations so be mindful of that in advance.”

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Longqingxia Gorge Cruise and Guyaju Cave Dwellings Private Day Tour - A regional lunch between the two stops
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Longqingxia Gorge Cruise and Guyaju Cave Dwellings Private Day Tour

5.Longqingxia Gorge Cruise and Guyaju Cave Dwellings Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $216

Leave Beijing at 8:00 a.m. for a private day trip to Longqing Gorge and Guyaju Caves. Cruise past temples and karst peaks, eat a regional lunch, then explore more than 170 rock-cut rooms with an English-speaking guide such as Linda, Jeffrey, Daisy, May, or Coco.

“The entire day was a welcomed break from the hectic pace of Beijing! Linda was a truly fantastic guide a warm person. She made sure we had a “ local experience” from a “step-by-step” history of the area to a great lunch at a local eatery.”

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Guilin: 1-Day Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Show - Reed Flute Cave: Guilin’s colorful underground start
1-Day Tours, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours in Guilin

Guilin: 1-Day Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Show

6.1-Day Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 1 day

This private Guilin day trip pairs Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, a 50-minute Xingping bamboo boat ride, and the Impression Liu Sanjie show. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Bruce, Molly, Alan, or Tony, handles the long drives and local logistics. It suits couples or small groups who want Guilin and Yangshuo highlights in one busy day.

“The tour was great and our guide Bruce was awesome! We spent an amazing day together driving and guiding us through all the major attractions. 100% recommend, thank you again Bruce for the amazing day!”

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Luoyang: Longmen Grottoes Optional Tours or Tickets Only - Choosing between a $27 ticket and a private tour
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Longmen Grottoes Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Luoyang

Luoyang: Longmen Grottoes Optional Tours or Tickets Only

7.Longmen Grottoes Optional Tours or Tickets Only

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $27Best value

Choose simple entry tickets or add a private guide and hotel or train station pickup for Luoyang’s Longmen Grottoes. You’ll see more than 2,300 caves and niches, including the huge Vairocana Buddha. Guides such as Jeff, Cecilia, Ping, and Cindy are praised for clear English and helpful communication. Longer options may add lunch, White Horse Temple, and Luoyang Museum.

“We booked tickets for entrance only without guide and tour. All contact went smoothly via text. Entrance to the site was easy with just our passports so we could enjoy the grottos and all the Buddha statues without any problem. Beautiful historical place to visit!”

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Guangzhou to Gulong Canyon and Cave Fairland PRI Day Tour - Leaving Guangzhou at 8am
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guangzhou

Guangzhou to Gulong Canyon and Cave Fairland PRI Day Tour

8.Guangzhou to Gulong Canyon and Cave Fairland PRI Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 19 reviews · 10 hours · from $259

Leave your Guangzhou hotel at 8am for Gulong Canyon, where you cross a 520-meter glass walkway, 329-meter glass bridge, and 202-meter UFO platform above the gorge. After a Chinese lunch, continue to Cave Fairland for a cave walk and boat ride. Private transport, guide, entrance fees, and lunch are included.

“Definitely worth a visit, if you don‘t mind heights and like a little adrenaline rush. My guide was brillant and accommodating.”

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Private Tour: Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple & Kungfu Show - Starting from Luoyang, Zhengzhou, or Xi’an
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Longmen Grottoes Tours, Private, Shaolin Temple & Kung Fu Tours, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Luoyang

Private Tour: Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple & Kungfu Show

9.Private Tour: Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple & Kungfu Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 17 reviews · 8 - 11 hours · from $158

Travel by private vehicle from Luoyang or Zhengzhou, or by bullet train from Xi’an, to see the Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple. Your guide explains the Buddhist art, temple traditions, and local stories. Lunch, entrance tickets, electric bus service, and the Shaolin kung fu show are included in the full package.

“Our guide, Cecilia, was fantastic (professional, interesting and practical). She offered guidance in English and French, which was very practical and entertaining. We really enjoyed the trip. Lunch, travel (car), and entrances were smooth and met our expectations..”

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Luoyang Private Day tour to Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin temple - Longmen Grottoes: Buddhist art on a huge scale
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Longmen Grottoes Tours, Private, Shaolin Temple & Kung Fu Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Luoyang

Luoyang Private Day tour to Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin temple

10.Luoyang Private Day tour to Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin temple

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews

Spend 9 to 10 hours with Spring or another experienced English-speaking local guide visiting Luoyang’s Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple. You’ll see Buddhist carvings, ancient pagodas, a Kung Fu performance, and a 1,500-year-old monastery with private transport for up to four people. Admission and lunch cost extra.

“We had a great time on this trip. Linda the tour guide is knowledgeable and helpful. The trip has a combination of history, scenery and excitement.”

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Beijing:Bullet Train Tour to Hanging Temple&Yungang Grottoes - Leaving Beijing by bullet train
Bullet Train Day Trips, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing, Train Experiences

Beijing:Bullet Train Tour to Hanging Temple&Yungang Grottoes

11.Bullet Train Tour to Hanging Temple&Yungang Grottoes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 10 hours · from $348

Travel from your Beijing hotel to Datong by bullet train, then visit the 1,500-year-old Hanging Temple and UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes with a private English-speaking guide. Guides such as Ana and Emma have provided detailed history and careful help on the cliffside temple. Entrance fees, train tickets, drivers, and hotel transfers are included.

“wonderful day out, Emma my guide was amazing. told me all the history of the Grottoes and Hanging Temple. She made sure I was safe on the Hanging Temple as im not the best with heights. Lunch was probably the best meal I had on my visit to China. food was tasty and freshly made. our driver for the day was great, lovely man as was the pick up and drop off driver from the bullet train. It was a very organised tour from start to finish. Thank you for helping to create wonderful memories”

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Datong: Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket Only - Passport Registration Is the Main Practical Detail
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Datong: Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket Only

12.Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket Only

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 12 reviews · 1 day · from $33

This is a ticket booking service for Datong’s Yungang Grottoes, not a transport package or guided tour. Your ticket is valid all day with no fixed time slot, but every visitor must provide the exact passport name and number. You meet at the grottoes entrance, explore for about three hours, and arrange your own ride from Datong.

“La vista ha sido espectacular y la entrada con el pasaporte muy buena. Una sugerencia que podrien comentar es el Transporte hasta las cuevas, creo que no se hace para que compres la entrada más desplazamiento. Se puede ir desde Datong con taxi y volver con taxi. O ir y volver con dos buses. Nosotras optamos por ir en taxi y volver con bus porque ya no teníamos prisa.”

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Datong:HangingTemple&Grotto Private Car with Entrance ticket - Walking across the 1,400-year-old Hanging Temple
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Private, Private Car with Driver, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Datong:HangingTemple&Grotto Private Car with Entrance ticket

13.HangingTemple&Grotto Private Car with Entrance ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 11 reviews · 1 day

You’ll visit Datong’s cliff-hanging temple and the Yungang Grottoes in one private-car day. Your Chinese-speaking driver picks you up at a Datong hotel, railway station, or airport, handles the roads and parking, and returns you to Datong. Tickets are included, but no tour guide or meals are provided. Nancy may help coordinate some bookings.

“The driver was on time, drove smoothly, car was in good condition. Sites are impressive, highly recommend to visit both. It is intense if you want to visit both in be day, it is feasible.”

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Luoyang Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple&Longmen Grottoes - Starting from your Luoyang hotel
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Longmen Grottoes Tours, Private, Shaolin Temple & Kung Fu Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Luoyang

Luoyang Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple&Longmen Grottoes

14.Luoyang Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple&Longmen Grottoes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 8 hours · from $268

Spend eight hours with a private English-speaking guide exploring Luoyang’s Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple. You’ll ride a battery bus, see thousands of Buddhist carvings, take a boat cruise, eat lunch, watch a kung fu performance, and visit the Pagoda Forest. Guides including Jack, Cecilia, Fey, and Shane have been praised for clear explanations and flexible pacing.

“Tour privato molto interessante e ben organizzato, la guida Fey, sempre pronta , disponibile ed esaustiva. Le grotte longmen impressionanti, veramente fantastiche. Veramente consigliata!”

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Beijing: Guyaju Cave Dwellings with Optional Visits - A private ride through northern Beijing
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Tour Reviews, Tours in Beijing

Beijing: Guyaju Cave Dwellings with Optional Visits

15.Guyaju Cave Dwellings with Optional Visits

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · 8 hours · from $151

Escape Beijing for Guyaju’s unusual cave dwellings, carved into steep rock faces and linked to Tang Dynasty traditions. Your private English-speaking guide and driver handle transport and ticket help. Choose Longqing Gorge, the Ming Tombs, Badaling, or Juyongguan as your second stop. Guides such as Linda, Jack, and Christine have earned praise for clear commentary and helpful advice.

“Jack showed me the best places to see on this tour and gave me lots of advise for my stay in Beijing. The visits were really impressive, I had a great day!”

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New in Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls

★ 5.0Longmen Grottoes Entry Ticket Only OptionFrom $324 reviews
★ 5.0Louyang Day Tour from Xian: Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin TempleFrom $2633 reviews
★ 4.7Tiger Leaping Gorge with Lijiang Private TourFrom $1143 reviews
★ 3.8Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave & Daxu Old TownFrom $1584 reviews
★ 5.0Cave, Yulong Rafting, Glass-bottomed skywalk & ShowFrom $1013 reviews
★ 4.4Transfer or Tour to Yungang Grottoes&Hanging TempleFrom $304 reviews
★ 5.0One-day Wulong HikeTrip(GeoPark+Fairy Mt)car incld3 reviews
★ 5.0Longing Gorge Ice Festival w/Optional ActivitiesFrom $1474 reviews

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