Longyou Caves Archaeological Site

Address: Longyou Caves Scenic Area, Longyou County, Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

Hours: Daily 8:30am-5pm (may vary seasonally)

Admission: CNY 30-60 (varies by ticket and season)

The Longyou Caves are a group of large, man-made caverns cut into sandstone bedrock near Longyou County in Zhejiang province, eastern China. They were brought to modern attention in 1992 and consist of many separate chambers with carved columns and ceilings.

Each chamber shows regular tool marks and structural pillars, and the complex is notable for its scale and the uniformity of its carved surfaces. Published surveys report multiple discrete caverns arranged across several sites, attracting interest for both tourists and researchers.

Archaeologists and engineers have not reached a consensus on the date or purpose of the caverns; their workmanship indicates organized excavation using hand tools. The sites lie inland within Zhejiang province and are visited from nearby towns as part of regional cultural tourism.

• Number and discovery: A complex of 24 artificially carved caverns discovered in 1992, notable for regular chisel marks, pillars and vaulted ceilings carved directly into bedrock.
• Enigmatic origins: Construction technique and builders remain uncertain, and the caverns are often visited in guided tours that focus on their scale and mystery.

The caves are in Longyou County, Quzhou. From Quzhou city, travel by car or regional bus to Longyou; local signage directs visitors to the scenic area. Organized tours from Zhejiang cities sometimes include the caves.

• Arrive early to avoid the midday tour buses; the underground caverns are coolest and clearest in the morning light.
• Bring a guidebook or guide - the caves' scale and carved features are easier to appreciate with context about the 1992 discovery and subsequent excavations.
• Wear flat shoes; some paths in the caves are wet and uneven.