Huaga Karst Depression

　　Shuicheng Huaga Karst Depression is located 3

　　km northeast of the township, featuring an oval karst depression with a long-axis diameter of 700

　　m at its top and 250

　　m at its base, reaching a depth of 250 m. It developed within Middle to Upper Carboniferous carbonate rocks. It is a type of collapse sinkhole—also known as a doline (the transliteration), or commonly referred to locally as "tiankeng" (heavenly pit) or "mawo" (pit). These formations often exhibit steep rock walls on the upper parts due to the collapse of large cave roofs in the saturated zone, resulting in a closed negative landform on the surface. They can serve as natural windows to underground rivers or have subterranean streams flowing beneath collapsed debris. Among various types of dolines or sinkholes, this represents the largest scale. Shuicheng Huaga Karst Depression is a super-giant sinkhole adjacent to Liuche River Canyon, locally called "Yangtian Mawo." It stretches 520 m from east to west and 950 m from north to south, with the bottom at an elevation of 1,225 m, a maximum depth of 257 m, and a minimum depth of 185 m, resembling the shape of a tadpole. The surface area of the depression’s opening measures 35.49×10⁴

　　square meters, ranking first in China. The base is flat, covering an area of 6×10⁴

　　square meters, which has been converted into farmland. The inner walls are surrounded by terraced fields, while the upper section consists of steep cliffs.

　　About 500 m south of the depression lies the Liuche River, with the top of the river canyon’s steep cliff just 100 m away. The cliff face features caves, and the river surface sits at an elevation of approximately 800 m.

　　Friendly Tip: To reach Shuicheng Huaga Karst Depression from downtown, drive 120 km along the Shuipan East Line (a fourth-grade oil road), then walk for 15 minutes. The fare is 20 RMB per person. Currently, the Shuicheng–Puan bus route passes nearby. At night, you can stay at local guesthouses in Huaga and enjoy farm-style cuisine. For your safety, please avoid riding on three-wheeled or two-wheeled farm motorcycles.