Zhijin Cave - the King of Karst Caves in China

Zhijin Cave, renowned as the "King of Karst Caves," stands out among other famous karst caves such as Zhangjiajie's Yellow Dragon Cave (about 100,000 sqm), Chongqing's Furong Cave (about 37,000 sqm), and Guilin's Reed Flute Cave (about 14,900 sqm) due to its unparalleled size and grandeur. Spanning over 700,000 square meters, Zhijin Cave is the largest of its kind, featuring 12 grand halls and 47 chambers, each adorned with unique and breathtaking formations. The cave's largest chamber reaches an impressive width of 175 meters, while six of its halls exceed 10,000 square meters in area, highlighting its monumental scale.

The cave is adorned with a wide variety of karst formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, flowstones, and stone curtains. These formations come in unique shapes, resembling pagodas, plants, animals, and even mythical creatures, showcasing nature's artistic craftsmanship.

King's Helmet is a helmet-shaped stalagmite standing at an impressive height of 14 meters with a diameter of 3 meters. Formed approximately 150,000 years ago, it is one of the rarest natural phenomena in the world. The formation process of the King's Helmet is both mysterious and fascinating. Over time, the frequency and volume of water dripping from the cave ceiling underwent significant changes. In the early stages, the dripping was frequent and abundant, leading to the formation of the thick, helmet-shaped base of the stalagmite. However, as time passed, the dripping became much less frequent and the water volume drastically reduced. This change allowed the upper part of the stalagmite to grow slowly and delicately, resulting in the intricate, palm-like structure that crowns the King's Helmet today.

Silver Rain Tree is the iconic landscape in Zhijin Cave and often referred to as a treasure of the Earth. It is 17 meters high and rises majestically from a white jade-like base with a diameter of 2.4 meters. This stunning formation is not only crystal clear but also exquisitely shaped, resembling a finely carved ivory sculpture. With a history spanning 150,000 years, it is a testament to the slow and intricate processes of nature, including three distinct stages: tower-shaped stalagmite, pinecone-shaped stalagmite and petal-shaped stalagmite. What makes this formation even more extraordinary is the fact that the dripping water line has remained unchanged for over 100,000 years. This consistent water flow has allowed Silver Rain Tree to grow and evolve into the magnificent structure it is today.

The Nine Wonders of Zhijin Cave are a collection of stunning and unique karst formations that showcase the cave's natural artistry and geological diversity. Each formation has been given a poetic name that reflects its shape, symbolism, or the stories it evokes.

1. Inverted Pipa (倒挂琵琶): one of the largest and most beautiful shield-shaped stone columns in the world;

2. Snow-Covered Pine (雪压青松): towering over 10 meters high and standing like a serene snow-covered pine forest;

3. Deep Bond Between Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law (婆媳情深): two stalagmites stand side by side resembling two figures leaning close together;

4. Pillar in the Midst of a Torrent (中流砥柱): a towering stalagmite with layered, pagoda-like structure and powerful presence;

5. Pillar Holding Up the Sky (擎天一柱): a stalactite column reaching 10 meters in height, resembling the mythical "Dinghai Shenzhen" (the Needle that Stabilizes the Sea) from Chinese folklore

6. The Beauty of the Land (江山多娇) : with various stone curtains, stone pillars, stalagmites, stalactites, etc., resembling a scroll of traditional Chinese landscape painting;

7. Salvation for All Beings (普度众生): like a meditating monk or a Buddha delivering teachings, exuding a sense of tranquility and reverence;

8. Jade Trees of Sisters (姊妹玉树): two 4-meter-tall white stalagmites, with its petal-like layers and jade-like elegance;

9. Pearl in the Palm (掌上明珠): tower-like stalagmite resembles a precious pearl cradled in a giant Buddha’s hand.

Visitors begin their journey at the Tourist Center, which is located approximately 4 kilometers from the entrance of Zhijin Cave. Due to this considerable distance, it is highly recommended to purchase the sightseeing shuttle ticket. Visitors will take a 10-minute shuttle ride, and walk 10 minutes to the cave entrance.

Exploring Zhijin Cave is primarily on foot, following a well-marked, one-way path that takes about 90 to 120 minutes to complete. The walking route through Zhijin Cave features mostly gentle and even steps, with only one section of steeper stairs to navigate.

After the tour, the shuttle will return visitors to the Tourist Center, ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience.

Bijie City has a total of 9 railway stations and 1 airport. 2 stations are located in Zhijin County, only serving normal trains. The closest high-speed rail station to Zhijin Cave is Qianxi Railway Station, about 45 km away.

How to Get to Zhijin Cave

By High-speed Train plus car: Qianxi Railway Station serves high-speed trains to major cities like Guiyang (0.5~1 hrs), Chongqing (2.5~5 hrs), Chengdu (3~3.5 hrs), Kunming (3~3.5 hrs), etc. After your arrival, take a taxi about 40 minutes' driving to Zhijin Cave.

By Normal Train, plus car or bus: Zhijin Railway Station is the major train station in Zhijin County, operating normal trains to destinations within Guizhou, such as Guiyang (3 hrs) and Anshun (1.5~2 hrs). It is about 22 km away from Zhijin Cave. Tourists can take a taxi (35 mins) or bus (1.5 hrs) to get to the attraction.

By Flight plus car: Bijie Feixiong Airport operates weekly domestic flights to and from cities such as Beijing (3 hrs), Xian (2 hrs), Shanghai (3 hrs), Haikou (2 hrs), Xingyi (1 hr), Lijiang (1.5 hrs), etc. After the arrival, tourists can take a taxi for 1.5 hrs to Zhijin Cave.

If you want a comfortable, convenient, and hassle-free travel experience, China Discovery private transfer is highly recommended. We China Discovery offer licensed private cars and experienced drivers to ensure your journey seamless and enjoyable. Please feel free to contact us!

Guizhou, a province renowned for its stunning karst landscapes and vibrant ethnic minority cultures, is best explored through a well-planned 5-7 days itinerary with 2-4 key destinations.

Many travelers begin their Guizhou adventure in Guiyang, the provincial capital, where you will learn about Guizhou’s history and culture by visiting landmarks like Jiaxiu Pavilion, Qingyan Ancient Town, and more for 1-2 days.

Recommended Guizhou Tour Packages with Historical Sites:

☛ 7 Days Best of Guizhou Tour with Nature & Culture Highlights
☛ 6 Days Classic Guizhou Tour to Huangguoshu & Authentic Southeast Guizhou

If you’re eager to delve into Guizhou’s rich ethnic minority cultures, you can combine some must-visits in the Qiandongnan region for 3-4 days. Explore the charming towns of Kaili, Congjiang, and Rongjiang, where you’ll find traditional villages of the Miao and Dong people.

Recommended Guizhou Tour Packages with Ethnic Villages:

☛ 5 Days Southeast Guizhou Ethnic Tour with Amazing Cultural & Hiking Experience
☛ 5 Days Guizhou Miao & Dong Minority Tour

If you want to explore more Guizhou’s natural landscapes, particularly its karst formations, you can spend 1-2 days heading to Huangguoshu Waterfall in Anshun, Seven Small Arches Scenic Area in Libo, or Wanfenglin (Ten Thousand Peaks Forest) in Xingyi. Don’t miss Mount Fanjing, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its peculiar mushroom-like rock pillars.

☛ 6 Days Guizhou Natural Wonders Exploration from Guiyang
☛ 5 Days Guiyang Fanjingshan Tour with Huangguoshu Waterfall