Zhijin Cave

Introduction

Zhijin Cave is located in Zhijin County, 120 kilometers from Guiyang in the south bank of Wujiang River which is one of the origins of six other rivers belonging to the high dry karst cave. The cave is one of the longest caves in the world spanning through 12.1 kilometers and has a width of 175 meters occupying 307 square kilometers. It is made up of colorful and bizarre shaped stone formations stone pillars, stalactite, stalagmites, stone flowers, stone curtains and more than forty accumulations as result of the formation of different karst features. The cave’s precipitous looks are unmatched to international caves emerging top against caves such as the France and Yugoslavia’s global water eroded caves adding more value to its existence.

Zhijin Cave is also known as the “king of caves” because of its grandness and uniqueness spanning through 13.5 kilometers and occupying 7 square kilometers under the largest unsupported roof cave in the world. In addition to this, the cave also houses 47 halls, lakes, streams, waterfalls and valleys amongst other land formations. The cave has a variety of rocks and stones such as bloodstone, prehnite.

Things to see and do on a visit

Rich culture

Visitors can be part of the rich local culture of the area watching the reed panpipe dances and performances in Miao ethnic area, the Lusheng dance, song tying and horse racing. The locals of the Yi nationality have a rich cultural background exhibited during the Torch Festival. Visitors can also see former residences such as “Nawei relics”, master Dingbaoxue of the Qing dynasty, Shexiang lady of the Ming dynasty and burial grounds of famous leaders of the late Ming dynasty such as the “Anbangyan Tomb”.

Souvenirs

It is hard to miss primitive and ancient wax printings, the great “golden black jade” marble series products, casserole and crack pot.

Food

The local food is quite an experience amongst visitors who can try specialties such as high nutrition bamboo fungus, buckwheat bean jelly, Gongbao chicken, gastrodia elata, pot potato with stinky tofu amongst many more that will fascinate and leave visitors with memories.

Guizhou Zhijin Cave Scenic Area

The area surrounding Zhizing cave is known as Guizhou Zhijin Cave Scenic Area and it was recognized as a national level tourist site by the Chinese State Council in 1988. Tourist spots here cover an area of 307 square kilometers and include scenes such as Zhijin Old Town and Luojie River Scenic Area made up of colorful and large scale landforms.

In addition to this, there is also a renowned historical and cultural town called Zhijin Ancient City locally referred to as “small Guilin” situated around 23 kilometers from Zhijin cave. The ancient town is home to Ragged Mountains, temples, stone bridges, pavilions and beautiful rivers.