Wulong Karst

Brief Introduction of Wulong Karst

Belonging to Chognqing municipality, Wulong County is located at the southeastern edge of Sichuan Basin as well as being the transitional zone of Dalou Mountain, Wuling Mountain and Guizhou Plateau. The canyon area at the lower reaches of the right bank tributary of Yangtze River, Wujiang River, was influenced by the different distribution of carbonate rocks and sandstones, at last, there formed the natural landscape of Karst. Wulong Karst is the constituent part of the south Karst of China, being the representative of the deep-carved canyon. It is not only the example of the reflection of the history of the evolution of the earth, but also the records of lives. It has bred three individual Karst systems, including the first cave in the world- Furong Cave, the biggest natural bridge group as well as the Houpingtiankeng, all of which are the rarities, of China, of the world and of the universe.

The Treasures of Wulong Karst

Furong Cave

Furong Cave is known as the first cave in the world, originated from the carbonate rocks of Cambrian system and Ordovician system, being made up of the Tongqikeng Cave, Shuairen Cave, Weijaingling Cave, Tongba Cave, Xinlukou Cave, Water Curtain Cave, Furong Cave, Gangan Cave and Sifang Cave. The vertical caves like Qikeng Cave are the paradise of exploration lovers and explorers. The broadwise caves like Furong cave are the preferred choice for the tourists. The caves are lobby, in which there are abound and various chemical and biologic precipitate. The different patterns of corrosion, the spectacular accumulation of collapse, the vast number of stalactite, as well as the ponds of different locations in the cave, are the records of the evolution. The famous cave expert, Professor Zhu Xuewen, has ever said that in terms of the scientific research and popularization of scientific knowledge, Furong Cave is a scientific museum of cave.

The Natural Bridges

The Wulong natural bridges of the largest scale in the world have been recorded in the Yitongzi of Ming Dynasty, about 500 years ago. They are distributed at the 10 kilometers long carbonate rocks reach, been made up of the wadi, underground stream, natural bridges, Tiankeng, caves and Karst springs. The canyon is 200 to 400 meters deep, of which the Yangshui Gorge and Longshui Gorge Difeng Karst Gorges are the most spectacular. The three natural bridges are in the scope of 1.5 kilometers with the same gorge, among each bridge, there are Tiankeng, being unique in the world. Tianlong Bridge has two caves, the south one is called the Mihun Cave, and the north one is the natural passageway, in the shape of man-made bridge. Qinglong Bridge is famous for the waterfall falls down the bridge and forms frog, with the sunlight, looking like the Qinglong. Heilong Bridge has arch caves, as deep and dark as a Qinglong wriggling there. The total height, the bridge arch height and the thickness of the bridge floor of the three natural bridges all rank the first in the world, of global meaning.

Houpingtiankeng

Houpingtiankeng is originated from the limestone of Ordovician system. It is made up of the surface streams, Luoshui Cave, pothole, Tiankeng, fossil caves, underground rivers and springs. Houpingtiankeng is a complete Karst system containing different period of development. The most classic one is the Jingkou Tiankeng, of perfect pattern and oval entrance. The depth of the Tiankeng ranges from 295.3 to 195.3 meters. Looking down from the entrance, you may see bold cliff with no end, being much too spectacular. Looking up in the bottom of the Tiankeng, it just likes sitting in a well and look at the heaven--limited outlook, making you feel free from things of the world and far from the madding crowd. By now, the natural landscape is in savagery, haven't been developed yet