Guizhou's Zhijin Cave to become national 5A-level scenic area

Zhijin Cave in Guizhou's Bijie city is China's largest proven karst landform. [Photo/IC]

Zhijin Cave – located in an area administered by Bijie city, in Southwest China's Guizhou province – has just been recognized as a national 5A-level scenic area.

It will officially be conferred with its new status after a July 6-12 public notice period, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Zhijin Cave, located in Bijie's Zhijin county, is the only world geopark in Guizhou. It has a constant temperature between 10 C and 16 C, and has the largest proven size and most developed karst landform in the country.

With its high scientific value, local ethnic features, and rich culture, Zhijin Cave is a world geopark suitable for scientific research, science popularization, sightseeing, and vacation.

Zhijin Cave was discovered in 1980 and opened to the public in 1985. The cave has four layers and a proven length of 12.1 kilometers. It covers a total area of more than 700,000 square meters and is divided into 12 areas.

Currently, Guizhou has eight national 5A-level scenic areas: Qingyan Ancient Town, Chishui Danxia scenic area, Huangguoshu Waterfall scenic area, Longgong scenic area, Baili Dujuan scenic area, Fanjing Mountain scenic area, Zhenyuan Ancient Town and Libo Zhangjiang scenic area.