Tiankeng Cluster by Tangbian

Tiankeng Cluster by Tangbian

Within an area of over 20 square kilometers surrounding Longfeng Mountain in Xinjian Village, located 18 kilometers from the town center of Tangbian, there are 12 tiankengs (natural sinkholes) of varying sizes, including Maodituo, Daidaihe, Daotuo, Yaorenwan, Yindong, and Dalaituo. These tiankengs all have depths exceeding 300 meters, with the highest elevation at 1,137 meters and the lowest at 548 meters. Centered around Daidaihe, they form a grand and spectacular cluster of tiankengs on a massive scale.

The tiankeng cluster remains a pristine and mysterious world to this day. It is covered with over 90% forest, featuring native vegetation such as Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Lamiales. It is home to a variety of nationally protected animals, including macaques, Lady Amherst's pheasants, pangolins, river deer, large Indian civets, small Indian civets, Lady Amherst's pheasants, blue sheep, and goats, which roam freely and can be commonly spotted.

The tiankeng cluster boasts unique natural landscapes and abundant rare wildlife resources. With a high concentration of numerous tiankengs, lush primeval forests at the bottoms, and a rich diversity of tree species, it holds great potential for developing into a new type of eco-tourism destination.

Daidaihe Tiankeng is the largest tiankeng on Longfeng Mountain. With a depth of 543 meters, it stretches 1,800 meters from north to south and 1,700 meters from east to west, covering a bottom area of 800,000 square meters. Classified as a rare geological site by experts, it features a massive structure, steep cliffs on all sides, an underground river running through it, caves at the bottom, and a wide variety of rare animals and plants.

Maodituo Tiankeng is majestic, steep, and rugged, surrounded by lush green trees and vines that block out the sun, with exotic flowers and plants swaying gently. Birds and animals thrive here amid birdsong and floral scents. Being here gives you a true sense of returning to nature and allows you to enjoy the leisurely beauty of a paradise on earth.

The Daotuo Tiankeng on Longfeng Mountain and Daidaihe Tiankeng are like twin brothers, with their rims closely connected. Daotuo Tiankeng has a depth of 580 meters, stretching 1,500 meters from north to south and 800 meters from east to west, with a bottom area of 350,000 square meters. It is surrounded by steep cliffs, and the tiankeng bottom hosts a lush primeval forest with a diverse range of tree species.

Anjiadong (Anjia Cave) is located on the eastern cliff of Maodituo. Historical records indicate that in the 14th year of the Republic of China (1925), Buddhist devotee An Defu, aiming to promote Buddhist culture, decided to construct this cave after three site inspections. He then enlisted the help of his sons, An Yonggui and An Yonglong, who spent seven years of hard labor carving out the cave, which was named “Anjiadong.” The cave is divided into an upper and a lower hall. The upper hall is 10 meters wide, 14 meters deep, and 6 meters high, with two levels that include a scripture storage room and a kitchen. A spring seeps from a crevice at the foot of the rock wall, providing a constant flow of clear, cool, and drinkable water for visitors. The lower hall is 15.5 meters long, 21.5 meters deep, and 5.3 meters high. The ceiling of the hall is inscribed with the four large characters “Three Heavens’ Buddha Saints.” A shrine with Buddha statues is enshrined in the center, and there are two pools along the walls for cooking purposes.

Inside Anjiadong, there are dim lamps and bright candles, with the morning bell and evening drum resounding far and wide. It was once a gathering place for Buddhist and Taoist monks from Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan, and Guangxi.

Tangbian Town: 1. Overview of Tangbian Town

Tangbian got its name from a large pond located next to an osmanthus tree at the old market square.

Tangbian Town is located at 106°45′45″ east longitude and 25°39′40″ north latitude. It lies in the southern part of Guizhou Province, the southern part of Qiannan Prefecture, and the southwestern border of Pingtang County. It borders Kedu Town to the east, Dongjia Township of Luodian County to the south, Lilv Township of Luodian County to the west, and Diji Township and Xiantang Township of Huishui County to the north. The town government is located in Wanzi Village. The telephone code is 0854, and the postal code is 558306. It is 85 kilometers away from the county seat, Pinghu.

… Detailed information about Tangbian Town++