Zhijin Cavern  織金洞風景區(qū)

The cavern, discovered in 1980, consists of more than 150 scenic views across 47 halls. It runs for more than 12 kilometers with a total area of over 700,000 square meters, and is believed to possess the largest unsupported roof span of any cave worldwide. The largest hall is up to 173 meters wide and 150 meters high.Zhijin Cavern, a fascinating three-layer karst cavern in Minzhai Village, Zhijin County, is 23 kilometers northeast of the county proper and 120 kilometers away from the provincial capital of Guiyang. It topped the rankings list of China's six most enchanting caverns by Chinese National Geography in 2005. If you are planning to visit only one cave in your life, it should be the Zhijin Cavern, a miracle of nature.

The cavern has been found to be a vast underground palace featuring a superb array of karst formations in various colors and sizes, including stone curtains, stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars and stone flowers. The amazingly fantastic deposits blow the mind since they are shaped like mushrooms, flowers, bamboos, rice fields, mountains, animals and fair ladies. Some of the most spectacular sights include the mysterious "Silver Rain Tree", a 17-meter-tall rare flower-like transparent crystal; the gold silver tower; the unusual and rare moonstones; and the mysterious goose-neck growths.

Tips

Best time to go: All year round

Admission: 120 yuan/person in peak-season (March 1-November 30), and 100 yuan/person in low-season (December 1-February 28)

Opening hours: 08:00-17:00

How to get there: You can take a long-distance bus to Zhijin County at Guiyang Jinyang Bus Station, and take a taxi to Zhijin Cavern. You can also get off at Sanjia Township near Zhijin, and then transfer onto a mini-bus headed for Zhijin Cavern.