A Source of National Pride — The World’s Longest: Benxi Water Cave’s World Record Certification Event a Resounding Success ...

On June 12, 2018, the world record certification event for Benxi Water Cave as the “world’s longest continuously navigable underground river scenic area by boat” was grandly held at the Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area in Liaoning.

At 9:00 a.m., an official from the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) conducted an on-site certification of Benxi Water Cave’s application for the world record title of “world’s longest continuously navigable underground river scenic area by boat.” After one hour and 36 minutes of technical assessment, the application was successfully approved by the certification officer. The birth of this world record for Benxi Water Cave is of epoch-making significance—not only fulfilling the aspirations of generations associated with the cave, but also serving as the most brilliant achievement in the series of events celebrating the 35th anniversary of the scenic area’s opening to the public.

At 10:40 a.m., Damir, the certification officer from the World Record Certification Agency, solemnly announced to the world that Benxi Water Cave had successfully earned the world record title for the “world’s longest continuously navigable underground river scenic area by boat,” drawing an eruption of excitement from the audience.

According to leaders of the Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area, the journey toward this world record certification spanned a total of six months. Starting from December 20, 2017, when initial certification data was submitted to the WRCA via a third-party platform, to receiving the preliminary review notice and challenge rulebook from the agency on May 12, 2018, and finally achieving on-site certification success on June 12, many untold efforts took place behind the scenes. It is reported that the original data submitted to the WRCA not only included measurements of the underground river within the cave, but also data on the Jade Elephant and Leaning Tower inside. In the future, how these features—the Jade Elephant and Leaning Tower—will be positioned for potential world record recognition will be guided through on-site inspection by the certification officer.

Thirty-five years of writing a new chapter, striving forward with unyielding passion. As a flagship destination among China’s national scenic areas, a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, and the main zone of a national geopark, Benxi Water Cave has grown from nonexistence to prominence, from small-scale to large, and from weakness to strength. It has gradually become the leading enterprise of Benxi’s tourism industry and a shining emblem of the city. This successful certification of a world record not only elevates the brand image of Benxi Water Cave to a new historic height, but also marks a significant milestone in its developmental journey.