Shuanghe Cave National Geopark

Shuanghe Cave National Geopark

Shuanghe Cave National Geopark is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national geopark.

The Suiyang Shuanghe Cave National Geopark, hailed as "Asia’s Longest Cave," has officially opened to the public.

The Shuanghe karst cave is situated in Guihua Village and Tonggu Village, Wenquan Town, about 50 kilometers northeast of Suiyang County in northern Guizhou. In 1987, after initial exploration by relevant experts, the mysterious nature of the cave was partially unveiled. Later, cave experts from China, France, and Portugal conducted multiple scientific investigations of the Shuanghe cave system.

The surveys revealed that the Shuanghe Cave system consists of numerous chambers, with a total length of 117 kilometers, earning it the title of "Asia’s Longest Cave." The cave features an extraordinary abundance of helictites and various forms of gypsum deposits, rare on a global scale.

The Shuanghe Cave system spans a total length of 70.502 kilometers, making it the longest cave in China. Its structure is highly complex, comprising 97 caves across eight main passages on three levels—upper, middle, and lower. These caves are densely clustered; within just four villages including Shuanghe and Guihua, there are 76 caves. The formations are remarkably intertwined—with caves beside, above, below, and even within one another, including both water-filled and dry caves, presenting a stunning variety. The carbon dioxide level inside the caves generally remains around 400 ppm, while temperatures stay consistently between 13 to 15 degrees Celsius year-round, making them ideal for tourism. The lowest level hosts three underground rivers with unfathomably deep waters, from which dozens of pounds-heavy fish occasionally emerge. A Japanese expedition team once attempted to navigate one of the water caves by rubber boat but took three full days to return, as they were blocked by an underground waterfall before reaching the end. The cave’s waters are a tributary of the Shuanghe River, with stable flow throughout the year and minimal external influence. During heavy mountain floods, while surface waters turn murky, the underground river remains clear, creating a striking contrast where the confluence shows half-clear and half-turbid waters. Moreover, the cave’s formations are breathtaking. In the “Grape Valley,” dozens of meters of narrow cave walls are covered with glistening stone grapes, reminiscent of the verse: “Living in Grape Valley, where treasures flow like pearls.” Beyond Grape Valley lies the “Lotus Pond,” where natural stone lotus leaves float on the water’s surface. A flashlight beam can penetrate straight to the bottom, and though they appear fragile, they are so sturdy that even standing on them causes no damage—an awe-inspiring feat of nature. Among the cave systems, the Guihua Cave is the most exquisite and delicate, featuring 5,000 square meters of helictites—the largest in Asia and rare worldwide. In this over 500-meter-long crystalline world, the air and ground glow milky white, with formations resembling mythical beasts chasing each other or fairies soaring through the skies, truly like a palace of crystal and jade. Tonggu Temple Mountain, shaped like a bronze drum, stands uniquely atop the rural plains and rivers, with surrounding mountain ranges converging toward it as if nine dragons vie for a treasure. This hollow mountain holds a mythical world inside—you can descend from a cave at the mountaintop into its belly. On quiet nights, drum-like sounds emanate from within. The mountain also boasts wonders such as a natural bridge.

II. Graceful and Unrestrained Waterfall Wonders

One of the most striking features of the Shuanghe Cave system is the harmonious interplay between caves and waterfalls: many caves are complemented by waterfalls, both aboveground and underground, perennial and seasonal, forming a rare natural spectacle with dozens of cascades.

The Gypsum Cave is truly a waterfall cave: a 300-meter-high two-tiered waterfall hangs like a silver chain at the cave entrance.

Between Gypsum Cave and Luojiao Cave lies a massive karst sinkhole called Tuanduwo. With a depth of over 130 meters and sheer cliffs, even monkeys cannot climb it. A waterfall plunges into the sinkhole and disappears underground, resembling a dragon diving into the sea with overwhelming force.

Longtangzi is another deeply incised sinkhole formed in a karst landscape. Surrounded by high mountains covered with dense primeval forests, a waterfall cascades down a height difference of over 200 meters, dropping into Longtang like a jade dragon descending a mountain. The pool’s depth is unfathomable, inhabited by giant salamanders, while an underground spring flows from an eastern cave and meanders slowly into a western one.

III. Mysterious and Bizarre Spring Wonders

The Shuanghe Cave area is rich in groundwater and dotted with springs. Some even emerge within homes. On the right bank of Chiyi Stream lies Dayu Spring, which has three peculiarities: its water maintains a constant level of turbidity, it turns into an intermittent spring during hot and dry seasons, gushing once every hour, and it frequently releases fish of varying sizes that swim into Chiyi Stream. The origin of the spring awaits further scientific study. Not far from Shuanghe Cave is a hot spring emerging from rock crevices at the foot of Dafeng Mountain. It is drinkable and suitable for bathing, flowing year-round. With a constant temperature of about 38.5 degrees Celsius and a flow rate of 8.5 liters per second, it discharges 743 tons of hot water daily. The water is crystal clear, colorless, and odorless, containing elements such as silicon, sodium, iron, calcium, and sulfur. It can treat skin conditions and is especially rich in silica and zinc—making it excellent mineral water.

Transportation

From Zunyi

Zunyi (via Sui-Zun Expressway, ~31 km) → Suiyang (Provincial Highway 207, 56 km) → Wenquan Town → Shuanghe Cave

From Guiyang

Guiyang (via Gui-Zun Expressway, ~190 km) → Suiyang (Provincial Highway S207, 56 km) → Wenquan Town → Shuanghe Cave

From Chongqing

Chongqing (via Yu-Qian Expressway & Chong-Zun Expressway, ~270 km) → Suiyang (Provincial Highway S207, 56 km) → Wenquan Town → Shuanghe

From Chengdu

Chengdu (via S4 Cheng-Zi-Lu Expressway, ~296.3 km) → (via G4215 Zun-Yi Expressway, ~195.5 km) → G75 Exit in Zunyi → (via G56 Hangrui Expressway, ~13.7 km) → (via S02 Zunyi Ring Road, ~33.6 km) → (via S81 Sui-Zun Expressway, ~31 km) → Suiyang (Provincial Highway 207, 56 km) → Wenquan Town → Shuanghe Cave

From Zunyi, you can take a bus from Zunyi Maocaopu Bus Station to Suiyang Bus Station, then transfer to a Suiyang–Shuanghe passenger bus.

Ticket Information

Shuanyang Shuanghe Cave National Geopark – Underground Fissure Scenic Area: 120 RMB

Shuanyang Shuanghe Cave National Geopark – Shuanghe Valley Scenic Area Sightseeing Shuttle (One Way): 10 RMB

Shuanyang Shuanghe Cave National Geopark Shuanghe Valley • Underground River Valley Scenic Area Ticket (Adult): 130 RMB

Shuanyang Shuanghe Cave National Geopark – Northern Guizhou’s First Bridge – Gongguan Bridge: Free

Opening Hours

Shuanghe Cave National Geopark • Underground Fissure Scenic Area 8:30–17:30 (April 1 – October 7), 9:00–17:00 (October 8 – March 31 of the following year)

Shuanghe Cave National Geopark • Shuanghe Valley Scenic Area 8:30–16:30 (April 1 – October 7), 9:00–16:00 (October 8 – March 31 of the following year)

Attraction Location

Shuanghe Cave National Geopark, Suiyang, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province

Wenquan Town: Wenquan Town is located at the northern gateway of Suiyang County, approximately 85 kilometers from the historic city of Zunyi and about 42 kilometers from Suiyang County. It borders Pingle Township to the east, Wangcao Town to the west, Shuangshi Township of Meitan County to the south, and Tuping Town of Zheng’an County to the north. Provincial Highway S207 runs through the town. The town covers an area of over 168 square kilometers, including 26,000 mu of arable land. It administers 7 administrative villages, 236 villager groups, and has a current population of 30,200, with a population density of 180 people per square kilometer. The area mainly consists of high mountains and semi-high mountain regions, with low-lying valley areas in the north. … Wenquan Town Detailed Information++