Balahu Scenic Area

　　    Balahu Scenic Area (Urban Canyon) – Situated at the heart of Qianjiang’s three major urban zones: the main city, the new city of Zhoubai, and Zhengyang, “Balahu” means “canyon” in the Tujia language, representing the landscape and culture of Qianjiang. Known as “China’s only urban grand canyon and the world’s rare conglomerate karst cave group,” it forms a globally unique and Asia’s only urban landscape where “the city sits above the canyon, and the canyon lies in the heart of the city.” The canyon features peaks on both sides with elevations of over 1,100 meters, characterized by karst landforms, spanning seven geological ages, stretching 10 kilometers in length, and covering an area of 723 hectares. With an average depth of 200 meters and the deepest drop reaching 500 meters, it integrates scenic elements such as “mountains, water, canyons, caves, pavilions, temples, and Guanyin statues.” This place is widely hailed by visitors as “the most spiritually uplifting spot in China.”