Since ancient times, the Chinese have longed for "wholeness"—family wholeness, career wholeness, life wholeness are all things people aspire to. The saying "a broken mirror cannot be mended" also illustrates that things with cracks are not favored. Yet, the miraculous craftsmanship of nature—the gorges carved as if with an axe—make people sigh that this is truly a beautiful scar.
Guizhou Wumeng Grand Canyon (Earth Gorge)
The Wumeng Grand Canyon is located northwest of Yingpan Township, about 25 kilometers from the city’s expressway. The Shuibai Railway runs alongside the canyon, and the Shuipan Expressway spans over it.
The canyon stretches approximately 15 kilometers in a southwest-to-northeast direction, with a width of 2 to 10 meters and a depth of 200 to 500 meters. Its bottom is relatively flat, winding from the mountaintop down into the Beipan River.
The canyon walls sometimes appear as if cut by knives and axes, sometimes covered in hanging vines, sometimes disappearing into pitch-dark caves, and other times narrowing into tight ravines where only a sliver of sky is visible above.
Though the Wumeng Grand Canyon is fraught with danger—many sections can only be traversed by professionals with specialized equipment—it is not a “death zone,” but rather a vibrant corridor of green vegetation.
With caves within the gorge and scenic wonders inside those caves, along with a mesmerizing array of natural bridges, this deep, mysterious world of the canyon is arguably one of a kind. It's definitely a great destination for adventure enthusiasts.
Hubei Yunlong Gorge (Earth Gorge)
The Yunlong Gorge is located at the foot of the Enshi Grand Canyon in the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. It formed at least 50 million years ago. It stretches 3.6 kilometers in length, with an average depth of 75 meters and an average width of 15 meters. The cliffs on both sides are steep, and waterfalls cascade powerfully.
The gorge mainly consists of limestone formed 210–290 million years ago, spanning the Permian and Triassic periods. It is the only known gorge in the world with cliffs of differing geological ages on either side. This unique geology contributes to the distinct landscape of the Yunlong Gorge.
The Yunlong Gorge boasts uniquely spectacular karst formations. Outside, towering cliffs and deep valleys surround the area with layered mountains and ever-changing terrain. Inside, murmuring streams, cascading waterfalls, and jagged rocks create a majestic, solemn, and mysterious atmosphere.
The gorge is not a traditional canyon. Canyons are formed by the cutting action of flowing water, whereas gorges often result from geological shifts causing “fissures.” Given sufficient external force, the two sides of a gorge could naturally come together again, but this would never happen with a canyon.
Yunnan Huize Grand Canyon (Earth Gorge)
The Huize Grand Canyon is over 10 kilometers long, with the widest section being over 20 meters and the narrowest just 1.4 meters. Its maximum depth reaches 486 meters. It features a complex and diverse landform, shaped by hundreds of millions of years of crustal uplift and subsidence, resulting in a staggered “mountain-shaped” stratum.
The elevation ranges between 1,700 and 2,900 meters. A small stream called Xiaomi River flows through the canyon, which is renowned for its wonder, danger, seclusion, depth, and beauty.
The entrance to the Huize Grand Canyon is called the “Gate of Life.” The cave ceiling is arched, featuring folds formed by magma over a hundred million years ago. Locals call these folds the “ceiling boards,” which extend for about 20 meters.
Spring water seeping from the cliff face plunges down like silver threads or pearls, converging into delicate waterfalls, forming a breathtaking sight.
Chongqing Fengjie Grand Canyon (Earth Gorge)
The Fengjie Grand Canyon extends 37 kilometers in total, consisting of the wide valley upstream, the midstream canyon, sinkholes, and the earth gorge, as well as the underground river section downstream. It forms a V-shape opening to the northeast, with the gorge entrance located at the bend. The canyon harbors unique landscapes and rare flora and fauna.
The stone steps leading down into the gorge are steep and deep, offering views of peculiar rock formations along the way.
The upper section of the canyon is broad, with widths of up to 100 to 500 meters, but it narrows progressively downstream, with widths of only 3 to 5 meters. In the final dozen or so kilometers, the gorge is no more than 3 meters wide.
Walking at the bottom of the deep and narrow gorge, amid scattered boulders, where some passages are so tight that only one person can pass through, offers a full dose of adventure thrill and excitement.
Guizhou You Tongxi Grand Canyon (Earth Gorge)
The local name for Kuankuoshui Town is "Twelve Backs," and there are mysterious and eerie legends surrounding the "Twelve Backs." Some say it’s a dead-end path that can’t be traversed, others claim no one dares to enter, and some even say no one who has gone in has ever come out.
Dense forests and massive rocks echo with birdsong. Without ample courage, just hearing the legends might be enough to make one hesitate.
The mysterious aura of the You Tongxi Grand Canyon has drawn high attention from local government and tourism authorities. In 2010, relevant departments began exploring the legendary and enigmatic You Tongxi Grand Canyon.
Nowadays, more and more people are curious about the You Tongxi Grand Canyon. This ecologically intact primeval forest attracts both domestic and international tourists for travel, hiking, and canyon exploration.
The canyon landscape is raw and thrilling, full of endless possibilities. Dare you come?