Liudong–Jiaqing Scenic Area

Liudong–Jiaqing Scenic Area

Located 20 km from the county town, it lies on the underground knickpoint belt of the middle reaches of the Pingzhou River. The dramatic drop in groundwater levels has created an exceptionally large and typical karst landform landscape.

The Liudong karst basin and Hetou grassland developed along the longitudinal profile inflection zone above the river erosion cycle knickpoint, integrating a broad basin, narrow canyons, cliffs, peaks, river beaches, grasslands, and farmland. This showcases a complex and dynamic hydrodynamic environment, holding significant scientific and tourism value. Its aerial imagery was selected for the "China Karst Remote Sensing Atlas" in the 1980s.

I. Liudong’s Mountain-Water Countryside Scenery

Spanning a 9-square-kilometer area within the Liudong basin, the surrounding mountains are towering and majestic, piercing the clouds. At the foothills, densely clustered villages of the Maonan ethnic group are crisscrossed by fields. The basin is expansive, fertile, and boasts a pleasant climate with ever-changing scenery.

The Liudong basin is a karst basin formed under the influence of two sets of joints—northeast and northwest—stretching approximately 3.5 km north to south and 1 km east to west. Surrounded by peaks, the basin floor is broad and gently sloping. This type of karst basin is also called a polje. The Pingzhou River, flowing out from the Liudong Gorge, slows significantly as it passes through the basin, depositing alluvial sediments to form the fertile and lush Liudong basin.

The Hetou grassland is located on the right bank at the exit of the Liudong Gorge in Hetou Village, Zhemizhen. It stretches 340 meters long and 100 meters wide, flat and expansive, with lush green grass year-round.

II. Liudong Gorge

Situated 5 km downstream of the Pingzhou River, the gorge extends 10 km, deep and serene, with abrupt peaks, layered mountains, and soaring cliffs. The river water is deep, emerald-green, and calm.

The gorge features attractions such as Guanyin Cave, Boot Beach, Elephant Trunk Mountain, Knife-Cut Rock, Immortal’s Hat, Immortal’s Statue, and Exorcism Cave.

III. Dami River Gorge

Located downstream of the Liudong River, it stretches 8 km. The cliffs on both sides are towering and steep, with walls as sheer as if carved by a knife. Exotic trees and lush vegetation thrive year-round, while green vines and bamboo create a dense, verdant cover. In autumn and winter, the water flows gently and calmly, offering a serene and tranquil blue-green landscape; in spring and summer, the rushing currents splash violently, their thunderous roar shaking the valley and stirring the soul. The cliffs along the banks host numerous caves, with stalactites inside taking on uniquely magical and spectacular forms.

Fishing Beach features layered mountains and steep ridges, with dense, shady forests. The valley’s water is a striking blue, and the beach is soft and clean, making it an ideal spot for fishing.

Miao La Gorge is deeply incised, with towering cliffs and rushing torrents, exuding a raw, untamed charm throughout.

IV. Jiaqing Karst Landscapes

The Jiaqing karst blind valley and natural bridge formed along the river erosion cycle knickpoint belt showcase a unique hydrodynamic environment marked by a sudden drop in groundwater levels. The area boasts a rich variety of karst features on a grand scale, with the dominant blind valley and natural bridge standing as majestic and spectacular, earning it the title of a natural karst museum.

Jiaqing Grand Blind Valley

Located downstream of the Dami River, the rift valley stretches 8 km long and 100–250 m wide. Towering cliffs rise dramatically on both sides of the blind valley, with peculiar trees growing between the precipices. The valley floor is covered in wildflowers, grasses, and shrubbery. The cliffs on either side of the valley feature several mystical karst caves, resembling the wise eyes of a giant mountain. At the bottom of the valley, two figure-eight-shaped water pools glisten like translucent green gemstones. A natural stone arch bridge connects the pools, with crystal-clear green water flowing continuously between them.

Dragon Roar Cave, the inlet cave of the Dami River, has a tall and spacious entrance blocked by massive collapsed rocks that hinder the river’s flow into the cave. The thunderous “battle” between the river and the boulders sounds like a dragon’s roar, both thrilling and awe-inspiring.

Moon Mountain earned its name from a large, perfectly round natural cave with a 5-meter diameter on the cliffs of the Jiaqing Grand Blind Valley, resembling a full moon when viewed from afar. Climbing the cliffs and standing within the cave feels like being in the Moon Palace, gazing down at the mortal world with undulating mountains, creating a surreal, heavenly sensation.

Suspected Ancient Glacier Relic Ice Mortar Cluster in the Jiaqing Dry Valley

The valley starts at the underground spring cave at the Ganghe Group in Jiala Village, Zhemizhen, and ends at Yanzi Cave in Jiacha, spanning over 10 km. The Ganghe Group section alone is about 7 km long. Water flows through this valley only during upstream floods, typically lasting around ten days a year. Due to its remote location, the valley’s landforms remain well-preserved, with dense primeval forests lining both banks. The riverbed features tens of thousands of pothole-like formations resembling ancient glacier relics, ranging from massive ones with a 6.6-meter diameter and 5-meter depth to tiny ones just 1 cm wide. The riverbed is also scattered with countless "glacial erratics," creating an extraordinarily spectacular sight.