Dashiwei Tiankeng Cluster

Dashiwei Tiankeng Cluster

The Dashiwei Tiankeng Cluster is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national geopark.

The Leye Tiankeng Cluster, spread across less than 20 square kilometers of steep mountainous terrain, consists of 24 tiankengs, making it the largest tiankeng cluster in the world. Currently developed sites include the Dashiwei Tiankeng, Bai Dong Tiankeng, and Chuan Dong Tiankeng. Among them, Dashiwei Tiankeng is the representative of the Leye Tiankeng Cluster and a source of pride for the local people.

The Dashiwei Tiankeng Cluster is located in Baoyanjiao Village, Shuaba, Tongle Town, Leye County. Formed approximately 65 million years ago, this lesser-known wonderland combines danger, wonder, steepness, grandeur, beauty, and magnificence, making it a rare tourist spectacle in the world. After a comprehensive investigation, Professor Zhu Xuewen, President of the Cave Research Association of the China Geological Society, referred to the Dashiwei Tiankeng in Leye County as the “Tiankeng Museum” and the “World’s Karst Wonderland.”

The Dashiwei Tiankeng stretches over 600 meters from east to west, 420 meters from north to south, and has a vertical depth of 613 meters. Resembling a massive volcanic crater, it is surrounded by cliffs as sheer as if carved by a knife, presenting extreme peril. At the bottom of the Dashiwei Tiankeng lies an untouched primeval underground forest, covering about 96,000 square meters—the largest of its kind in the world. The ancient trees here are thick and towering, with some wild jujube trees requiring three people to encircle their trunks. The tiankeng floor is covered in moss and dense shrubs. Researchers have discovered short-rooted fern species even older than the tree ferns—first-class protected plants from the dinosaur era—rare green orchids, and China’s first discovery of over 500 square meters of thorny square bamboo. The scientific expedition also found many rare animals, such as blind fish, white owls, transparent shrimp, Chinese stream crabs, and ghost spiders, among which the Chinese stream crab and ghost spider were confirmed as new species. Most mysterious of all were the traces of two giant pythons found at the bottom of the Dashiwei Tiankeng, each with a trail about 40 centimeters wide. Based on this, one can only imagine how enormous these pythons must have been.

The underground entrance of the Dashiwei Tiankeng is about 20 meters wide and 40 meters high. Inside the subterranean karst cave, colossal stalagmites, stalactites, stone waterfalls, and stone curtains take on a myriad of forms, crystal clear and dazzling like a vast treasure trove paved with glittering gems—an awe-inspiring sight. There are two underground rivers within the cave, flowing rapidly, and most remarkably, one is warm while the other is cold. With the assistance of the “Flying Cat” exploration team from Leye County, national and Guangxi regional scientific expeditions have entered the bottom of the Dashiwei Tiankeng several times. So far, they have explored approximately 6 kilometers, but questions remain: how much longer are the underground rivers? Where are their sources and outlets? (The underground river flows northeast into the mouth of the Bailang Grand Canyon in Leye County, where it becomes a surface river before joining the Hongshui River.) Why is one river warm and the other cold? These mysteries remain unsolved, awaiting future explorers to uncover.

Standing at the observation deck of the Dashiwei Tiankeng and looking down into its depths, on cloudy days, the mist swirls, shifting in density, dreamlike and surreal, as if in a fairyland. On sunny days, the primeval underground forest appears lush and mysterious. Gazing at the cliffs ahead, whether by natural coincidence or divine intervention, an inverted “map of China” is clearly visible, incredibly lifelike—so much so that even Hainan Island and Taiwan Island are distinctly recognizable. The entire “map of China” covers an area of about 9,600 square meters, earning the title of the “largest map of China.”

Mysteries

Since the Dashiwei Tiankeng in Leye was revealed to the world, its wonders have captivated people like a beautiful maiden shrouded in a black veil. The mystique of the Dashiwei Tiankeng lies not only in its formation, the exploration of its underground rivers, and the discovery of its subterranean caves but also in the many unexplainable phenomena.

First Mystery: Numerical Coincidence. The area of the primeval underground forest at the bottom of the Dashiwei Tiankeng is 96,000 square meters, the area of the “map of China” on the cliff is 9,600 square meters, and the total area of China is 9.6 million square kilometers—forming a scientifically inexplicable relationship. This may be a mere numerical coincidence, but from a superstitious perspective, it seems like a divine hint from the heavens, leaving people puzzled.

Second Mystery: Mysterious Disappearance. On November 9, 1999, during the second expedition by Guangxi TV and a scientific team to the bottom of the Dashiwei Tiankeng…

20 Photos of the Dashiwei Tiankeng Scenic Area in Leye, Baise (November 10, 1999). While crossing an underground river at the tiankeng bottom—less than knee-deep and no wider than 5 meters—Sergeant Qin Liguang of the armed police helped members of the TV crew and experts cross one by one. Just as everyone had made it across, in that very spot, at 19:42, the 25-year-old Sergeant Qin Liguang suddenly vanished without a trace. The “Flying Cat” exploration team on the surface immediately organized a rescue operation. After more than a week of searching, Qin Liguang was not found, and the rescue was eventually called off. (This local tourism bureau-organized team continued exploring 5 kilometers into the underground river after heavy rains around the Dashiwei Tiankeng began, unaware of the storm. On their way back, they encountered a flash flood, and Sergeant Qin Liguang accidentally stepped into the river and disappeared.) A year later, a couple of American exploration experts unexpectedly discovered the remains of Sergeant Qin Liguang, who had gone missing a year prior, along with scattered belongings. The couple collected the items, wrapped them, tied them to a tree at the cave entrance, marked the spot, and only then informed the authorities. Some may ask why the American couple didn’t bring Qin Liguang’s remains back up. Frankly, I can’t answer that. But I can share this: witnesses saw the couple—who came from highly developed and open-minded America—buy chickens, ducks, and fish in Leye County before entering the tiankeng and performed a ritual sacrifice at the entrance. As a friendly reminder, on previous tours, many visitors—motivated by unknown reasons—threw hundred-yuan bills into the Dashiwei Tiankeng. I won’t comment on this behavior, but from an environmental perspective, it’s absolutely unacceptable, if not counterproductive. Think about it: even ordinary people value cleanliness, let alone deities. So, remember: when visiting the Dashiwei Tiankeng, absolutely no littering—no drink bottles, fruit peels, or tissues—is allowed.

Third Mystery: The Welcoming Pine at the Tiankeng Rim. At the mountaintop above the Dashiwei Tiankeng’s observation deck grows a lush, vibrant welcoming pine. Don’t underestimate this tree—no one knows how long it has stood there, and there’s no historical record. During the early development of the Dashiwei Tiankeng, construction crews were explicitly instructed not to damage any trees. A worker named Wu Ming, perhaps seeking everlasting fame, climbed to the top alone while building the observation deck and carved into the welcoming pine with a knife. After just one cut, he felt numb all over and tumbled from the top to the observation deck, narrowly avoiding falling into the tiankeng. The next day, his right hand began to swell painfully, and by the third day, it started to rot. Despite nearly a month of intravenous treatment in the hospital, there was no improvement. Only after someone suggested he offer sacrifices under the welcoming pine did his hand heal completely within two days. Wu Ming’s story spread quickly, adding to the mystical aura of the Dashiwei Tiankeng.

Fourth Mystery: Nothing Can Be Taken from the Tiankeng. In May 2002, a scientific team of nine men from Beijing visited the Dashiwei Tiankeng. Before entering, the guide clearly warned them not to remove anything. Likely tempted by the tiankeng’s stunning cherry blossoms and unique rocks, most of the team left with bulging pockets. The guide sternly ordered them to put everything back. Though reluctant, most complied—except for one man, Mr. Liang, who secretly took a beautiful rock. Near the exit of the Dashiwei Tiankeng, a car accident occurred. While the other eight people were unharmed, Mr. Liang tragically lost his life.

Fifth Mystery: The Weather at Dashiwei. Locals say that whenever someone descends into the tiankeng or a large rock falls to the bottom—even on a clear day—dark clouds suddenly gather, strong winds blow, thunder roars, and heavy rain pours, as if the entire mountain is shaking. Many people are terrified, with some female tourists crouching on the observation deck, clutching the railings tightly. Yet, as soon as the commotion stops, the sky clears, the rain ceases, and sunshine returns. The cause of this sudden weather change remains unexplained, though speculation points to the area’s unique geography, air pressure, and wind currents.

Sixth Mystery: Nearby Lotus Cave. Near the Dashiwei Tiankeng lies Lotus Cave, where over 200 karst lotus basins of various sizes and numerous “cave pearls” have been discovered. Lotus basins are a type of stalactite that resemble blooming water lilies, formed by the dissolution of rock; cave pearls are calcite spheres formed around a nucleus under specific geological conditions, similar to how pearls form. Why does Lotus Cave have so many lotus basins and cave pearls? What are the conditions for their formation? These questions await further research by experts. (It’s reminiscent of the Bodhisattva’s lotus throne in *Journey to the West*.)

Currently, the developed tiankengs in the Leye Dashiwei Tiankeng Cluster include Dashiwei Tiankeng, Chuan Dong Tiankeng, and Bai Dong Tiankeng. The development of these tiankengs presented unimaginable challenges in terms of difficulty and scale. It’s worth mentioning that leaders such as Long Zongfu, Director of the Baise Tourism Bureau, Che Guilin, Deputy Director, and Li Chunming, Director of the Leye County Tourism Bureau, often wore camouflage uniforms and “liberation shoes,” working on the front lines alongside workers, eating and living with them, treating the construction site as home and dedication as honor. They embodied the spirit of new Baise and demonstrated the noble image of “public servants.”

Shuaba Village: Shuaba Village…… More details about Shuaba Village++