Zhijin Cave Scenic Area in Bijie City is located in Guanzhai Miao Township, Zhijin County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area. Zhijin Cave is a multi-layered and multi-type karst cave, with a length of 6.6 kilometers, a maximum width of 175 meters, a relative height difference of more than 150 meters, a total volume of 5 million cubic meters, and a total area of more than 700,000 square meters. The scenic area has distinct features, characterized by "grandeur, wonder, and comprehensiveness". The space inside the cave is spacious, and the rock composition is complex. It has more than 40 types of karst accumulation forms and is known as the "Karst Museum". The stalagmites, stone pillars, stone buds, and bell flags in the cave have various shapes and are colorful. There are a small number of service buildings in the scenic area, such as tourist centers and rest pavilions, to meet the basic needs of tourists.
History and Culture
The formation of Zhijin Cave has gone through a long geological period. Approximately 500,000 years ago, this area was still an ocean. With the crustal movement, the sea water receded, and the limestone strata gradually emerged above the water surface. Through the long-term dissolution and erosion of groundwater and other effects, the grand karst cave landscape we see today was gradually formed.
Zhijin County, where Zhijin Cave is located, has rich ethnic cultures. Many ethnic minorities, including the Miao, Yi, and Bai ethnic groups, live here, and each ethnic group has retained unique traditional customs and cultural arts. For example, the Lusheng Dance of the Miao people and the Torch Festival of the Yi people. These ethnic cultural activities have enriched the cultural connotation of Zhijin Cave Scenic Area.
The discovery and development of Zhijin Cave also have a certain history. In April 1980, the tourism resource survey team organized by the People's Government of Zhijin County discovered Zhijin Cave. Since then, after years of development and construction, Zhijin Cave has gradually become a well-known tourist scenic area, attracting numerous tourists to visit.
Main Attractions
Welcome Hall
The Welcome Hall is the first large hall of Zhijin Cave, with a length of 173 meters, a width of 132 meters, a height of 15 meters, and an area of about 16,000 square meters. The stalactites and stalagmites in the hall have various shapes, including landscapes such as the "Drum Stone" and "Stone Pillar". It is like a natural grand hall, welcoming every tourist who comes to visit, allowing people to feel the magic and grandeur of Zhijin Cave as soon as they enter the cave.
Lecturing Hall
The Lecturing Hall is about 180 meters long, about 150 meters wide, and about 50 meters high, with an area of about 10,000 square meters. There is a stalactite in the cave that resembles Sakyamuni, the Buddha, giving a lecture. Surrounded by many stalagmites and stone curtains, it is as if many believers are devoutly listening. The landscapes in the Lecturing Hall are vivid, creating a solemn and majestic atmosphere, making people marvel at the uncanny workmanship of nature.
Longevity Star Palace
The Longevity Star Palace is 120 meters long, 100 meters wide, and 40 meters high. There is a huge stalagmite here, which resembles an old longevity star, hence the name. The stalagmite has a lifelike shape, and there are also some small stalagmites, stone pillars and other landscapes beside it, forming a vivid picture. Tourists can admire the unique karst landscapes here and feel the wonders of nature.
Wangshan Lake
Wangshan Lake is an underground lake in Zhijin Cave, with a lake surface area of more than 30,000 square meters and a water depth of 17 meters. The lake water is crystal clear and sparkling. There are some stalagmites and stone pillars emerging from the water surface, reflecting in the lake water, forming a beautiful reflection. Tourists can take a boat to tour Wangshan Lake, enjoying the lake and mountain scenery and feeling the tranquility and beauty inside the cave.
Delicacies
Zhijin Buckwheat Jelly
Zhijin Buckwheat Jelly is a local characteristic delicacy. It is made from tartary buckwheat as the main raw material through processes such as grinding into a pulp, boiling, and cooling. The buckwheat jelly is grayish-white, with a delicate texture and a smooth taste. When eating, it is paired with special seasonings such as chili oil, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic water, and chopped green onions. It tastes spicy and delicious, and has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing blood lipids, etc. It is a favorite summer snack of local people and also a must-try delicacy for tourists.
Zhijin Gongbao Chicken
Zhijin Gongbao Chicken is a traditional famous dish. Using chicken as the main ingredient, it is paired with ingredients such as peanuts and dried chili peppers. The preparation process of this dish is unique. The chicken is tender and juicy, the peanuts are crispy and delicious, and the dried chili peppers are spicy. The taste of Gongbao Chicken is rich in layers, with both the freshness of the chicken, the crispness of the peanuts, and the spiciness of the chili peppers. It is a representative dish of Zhijin County.
Zhijin Water Eight Dishes
Zhijin Water Eight Dishes is a local characteristic banquet, consisting of eight soup-based dishes, including the first dish, the second dish, the third dish, etc. Each dish has its unique ingredients and cooking methods. For example, the first dish generally uses ingredients such as meatballs and egg skins, and the soup is fresh and delicious; the second dish may use ingredients such as pig stomach and pig tongue. The Water Eight Dishes reflect the local food culture and customs and are an important choice for tourists to experience the local food culture.
Entrance Tickets
The entrance ticket price of Zhijin Cave Scenic Area in Bijie City is 110 yuan per person, and the sightseeing bus ticket is 20 yuan per person. The scenic area has corresponding preferential policies for specific groups such as children, the elderly, military personnel, and students. Children under 1.2 meters in height are free of charge, and children between 1.2 meters and 1.4 meters in height enjoy a half-price discount; the elderly aged 60 years old (inclusive) and above enjoy a half-price discount with valid certificates, and the elderly aged 70 years old (inclusive) and above are free of charge; active-duty military personnel, disabled people, etc. are free of charge with valid certificates. For specific preferential policies, please pay attention to the official website of the scenic area or the instructions at the ticket window. Entrance tickets and sightseeing bus tickets can be purchased through the official website of the scenic area, WeChat official account, or the on-site ticket window.
Opening Hours
Zhijin Cave Scenic Area in Bijie City is open throughout the year, with opening hours from 09:00 to 17:00 (ticket sales and entry stop at 16:00). During legal holidays or peak tourist seasons, the scenic area may adjust the opening hours according to the actual situation. Tourists can query the official information of the scenic area in advance and arrange their itinerary reasonably.
Tour Routes
Recommended tour route: After entering the scenic area, tourists first take the sightseeing bus to the entrance of Zhijin Cave. After entering the cave, they visit the main attractions in turn, such as the Welcome Hall, Lecturing Hall, Longevity Star Palace, and Wangshan Lake. When visiting inside the cave, it is advisable to follow the tour guide's explanation to better understand the characteristics of each attraction and the stories behind them. After visiting the attractions inside the cave, tourists exit the cave and take the sightseeing bus back to the entrance of the scenic area. If there is enough time, tourists can also taste local delicacies such as Zhijin Buckwheat Jelly and Zhijin Gongbao Chicken around the scenic area to experience the local customs. The whole tour process takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Transportation
- Public transportation: You can take a bus from Bijie urban area to Zhijin County. The journey takes about 2 hours, and the ticket price is about 50 yuan. After arriving in Zhijin County, you can take a special line bus to Zhijin Cave at Zhijin Bus Station. The journey takes about 1 hour, and the ticket price is about 20 yuan.
- Self-driving: Starting from Bijie urban area, you can reach Zhijin Cave Scenic Area via Xiarong Expressway, Zhijin Cave Expressway, etc. The whole journey is about 120 kilometers, and the driving time is about 1.5 hours. The scenic area has a parking lot, and the parking fee is charged according to the parking duration.
Must-visit Attractions
- Welcome Hall: The first large hall of Zhijin Cave, 173 meters long, 132 meters wide, 15 meters high, with an area of about 16,000 square meters. The stalactites and stalagmites have various shapes, and it is the first stop to feel the magic of the karst cave.
- Lecturing Hall: About 180 meters long, about 150 meters wide, about 50 meters high, with an area of about 10,000 square meters. The landscape in the cave resembles the Buddha giving a lecture, solemn and majestic, and the landscape is vivid.
- Wangshan Lake: An underground lake with a lake surface area of more than 30,000 square meters and a water depth of 17 meters. The lake water is clear, and the stalagmites and stone pillars are reflected in it. You can take a boat to tour and feel the tranquility and beauty inside the cave.
Tour Tips
- The temperature inside the cave is relatively low. It is recommended that tourists bring a coat to prevent catching a cold.
- The ground inside the cave is slippery. Tourists should wear non-slip shoes and pay attention to safety when walking.
- Following a tour guide can help you better understand the geological knowledge of Zhijin Cave and the stories behind the attractions. It is recommended to choose a tour method with a tour guide's explanation.
- When tasting local delicacies, pay attention to choosing regular restaurants and snack stalls to ensure food hygiene.
- If you want to take photos, do not use a flash to avoid damaging the stalactites and other landscapes inside the cave.
Notes
- Comply with the regulations of the scenic area, follow the instructions of the staff, and do not enter the unopened areas without permission.
- Take good care of the landscapes and facilities inside the cave. Do not touch or damage the stalactites, stalagmites and other natural landscapes.
- Do not make loud noises inside the cave and keep quiet to avoid affecting the tour experience of other tourists.
- In case of an emergency, you can call the emergency rescue hotline of the scenic area or ask the nearby staff for help.
- When taking the sightseeing bus, fasten your seat belt and do not stick your body out of the window.