On July 16, the Zhijin Cave Scenic Area was officially designated as a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, becoming Guizhou Province’s ninth National 5A-level scenic area and Bijie City’s second. The press conference titled “Zhijin Cave Scenic Area Successfully Established as a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction” was held at the Zhijin Pingyuan Ancient Town·Zhijin Hotel.

 

(At the press conference venue)

(Yuan Wei, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, announced that Zhijin Cave has officially been awarded the national 5A-level scenic spot designation.)

(He Zhengfang, Director of the Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, introduces the process of Zijing Cave’s efforts to become a national 5A-level scenic area.)

 

The Zhijin Cave Scenic Area is a well-known tourist destination in Guizhou Province and an important node on the high-quality tourism route in central and western Guizhou. The successful application for national 5A-level scenic area status has laid a solid foundation for the industrialized development of Zhijin tourism, fostered a pattern of coordinated development among surrounding scenic areas, and boosted the high-quality development of Bijie, thereby igniting an immersive experience journey along the high-quality tourism route in central and western Guizhou.

The synergy of two 5A-level attractions empowers high-quality tourism routes in central and western Guizhou.

At the press conference, Yang Dezhi, a member of the Municipal Party Committee and Vice Mayor of the Municipal People's Government, emphasized that the successful designation of the Zhijin Cave Scenic Area as a National 5A-level scenic spot has made a significant contribution to Bijie’s tourism development. He also introduced and explained Bijie’s four premium tourist routes as well as the relevant tourism preferential policies that have been introduced.

 

 

Leveraging the resource advantages of the two 5A-level scenic areas—Baili Rhododendron and Zhijin Cave—we are focusing on promoting tourism routes such as “Zhijin Cave—Baili Rhododendron,” thereby strengthening Bijie’s tourism brand as “a blessed land of caves and a sea of flowers.” Along the route, we are developing key scenic spots including Zhijin Ancient Town, Pingyuan Ancient Town, and the Baili Gallery at the Source of the Wujiang River (Huayuji), enriching the tourism experience with elements such as rural revitalization, ethnic culture, leisure sightseeing, and health-and-wellness vacations. This will help Bijie become a demonstration zone for implementing the new development philosophy.

Premium Itinerary: Explore the Wonders of Double Hundreds and Double Caves—Savor a Leisurely Journey Through Flower-Sea Caverns—Enjoy a Dual 5A Leisure Tour in Bijie

Wujiang Source Baili Gallery (Huayuji) – Zhijin Cave – Zhijin Pingyuan Ancient Town – Jiudongtian – Baili Rhododendron

1. Beautifying Wucun Village, the Splendid Source of the Wujiang River—The Hundred-Li Gallery of the Wujiang River’s Source

The Baili Gallery at the Source of the Wujiang River is a national-level tourism resource, one of the zones within the Zhijin Cave World Geopark. It is an important component of the thousand-mile Wujiang River riverside tourism belt and also serves as a prime water-based tourist route connecting to the Zhijin Cave zone.

 

The Baili Gallery at the source of the Wujiang River boasts stunning scenery, seamlessly blending majestic gorges, tranquil lakes, karst caves, and cascading waterfalls. Its natural landscapes are exceptionally spectacular and grandiose, earning it the nickname “a natural gallery where the sky above appears as a single thread and the waters in the gorge curve like a crescent.”

 

 

Huayuji Village, the hometown of Miao ethnic group’s song and dance in Guizhou Province. The Huayuji Village dock is surrounded by water on three sides, with steep cliffs—carved by knives and axes—that rise sheer into the sky at its back.

 

 

The environment here is serene and tranquil, with mountains and waters beautifully intertwined. The residents are the indigenous Waishu Miao people, whose cultural heritage is rich and vibrant. The Huadu Li·Huayu boutique guesthouse, renovated from old houses, uniquely blends local ethnic minority culture and folk traditions, making it truly distinctive.

 

 

2. The World’s Number One Cave—Zhijin Cave

Zhijin Cave boasts a constant temperature of 10–16 degrees Celsius throughout the year, making it nature’s own giant refrigerator in summer and a natural greenhouse in winter. It is an awe-inspiring cave treasure trove of grand scale and extraordinary formations—a world-class geopark that integrates scientific research, science education, sightseeing, and leisure vacations. It is currently the only World Geopark in Guizhou Province.

 

 

The cave features a complete karst system with multiple layers, multiple systems, multiple categories, and diverse forms. Its landscapes and spatial configurations are extraordinary, embodying the distinctive characteristics of “large,” “unique,” and “comprehensive” caves.

 

 

The cave system within the scenic area is divided into four levels. The surveyed length of the cave reaches 12.1 kilometers, with the widest span of its chambers measuring 175 meters and a relative elevation difference of 150 meters. Typically, the height and width of the chambers range from 60 to 100 meters each. The total area exceeds 700,000 square meters, and the cave is divided into 12 major halls, including the Welcome Hall, Tower Forest Palace, Lingxiao Hall, and Ten-Thousand-Mile Mountain Hall.

 

 

3. Lotus-Leaf Lotus City, Misty Ancient Town—Pingyuan Ancient Town

Pingyuan Ancient Town, an integral part of the historic city of Zhijin and seamlessly connected to it, draws upon its rich cultural and historical heritage—“the hometown of Bao Zhen, the magical land of Zhijin”—and adopts the cultural theme of “Lotus-Leaf Lotus City, Misty and Rainy Ancient Town.” Nestled amid picturesque mountains and tranquil waters, the town finds inspiration in its natural surroundings and presents itself through a perspective that both recreates history and embraces simplicity and authenticity. Pingyuan Ancient Town has been named among “Guizhou’s Top Ten New Tourist Landmarks” and awarded the title of “First Provincial Base for Rest and Rehabilitation for Model Workers and Employees.”

 

 

As an important node along Guizhou’s premium tourism route in the central-western region, Zhijin leverages its “one city, one cave” assets to build a “large-scale scenic area” and promote the development of a “tourism-plus” industrial chain. In synergy with the Zhijin Cave Scenic Area, Zhijin has launched a high-quality, in-depth tour theme titled “Appreciate Colorful Guizhou, Explore Pingyuan Ancient Town, Savor Authentic Guizhou Cuisine, and Stay at Zhijin Hotel”—a journey that captures the essence of “urban memory.” With its rich offerings—including breathtaking natural wonders, vibrant street life, and unique local culture and history—this carefully curated itinerary links Zhijin’s renowned attractions into a premium, must-visit route.

 

 

In the night, the ancient town of Pingyuan reveals its rustic charm. The quaint architecture, illuminated by neon lights against the dark backdrop, exudes a mysterious allure steeped in ancient elegance. After marveling at nature’s masterful creation—the poetic gardens crafted by divine hands—immerse yourself in the most evocative “human warmth and vitality.” Here, nestled amidst mountains and waters, you’ll find a sanctuary that resonates with the soul, allowing you to savor the exquisite essence of a thousand-year-old dream.

 

 

A five-star haven nestled amidst the serene beauty of Lingshan’s lush waters—the Zhijin Hotel. As you wander beneath the starry sky and stroll through the valleys, stepping into the Zhijin Hotel feels like embarking on a journey through a kaleidoscopic time tunnel, where you’ll discover the vibrant and flourishing culture of Zhijin.

 

 

The hometown of Bao Zhen, Qijin boasts a thousand-year-old cultural heritage, with majestic mountains and crystal-clear waters, showcasing the vibrant charm of the Pu ethnic group and its unique Yi cultural essence. The Qijin Hotel, rooted in Qijin’s traditional culture, seamlessly blends ancient aesthetic principles with modern artistic elements. With its elegantly refined ambiance and exquisite attention to detail, the hotel vividly embodies the new meanings and contemporary interpretations of Qijin’s local cultural elements, capturing the very soul of this historic and culturally renowned city.

 

 

4. The Celestial Mansion of the Human Realm—Jiudongtian

The Jiudongtian Scenic Area is located at the junction of Dafang and Nayong counties. It derives its name—“Jiudongtian”—from the nine skylights that together create a unique karst landscape. The Jiudongtian Scenic Area consists of nine cave complexes arranged in a linear formation resembling a “long snake.” Each cave complex comprises a water body, a cave, and a sky—a combination that gives rise to a total length of 3.5 kilometers and a width of 0.5 kilometers. The caves are sequentially named: Yuegong Tian, Leiting Tian, Jinguang Tian, Yuyu Tian, Hulu Tian, Xiangwang Tian, Yunxiao Tian, Baocang Tian, and Daguan Tian.

 

 

The nine caves are interconnected, with stalactites hanging down and towering cliffs piercing through the sky. Whether sitting or lying down, these caves present a myriad of fascinating forms—truly a wonderland of peculiar rock formations. Between one cave and another, visitors can stroll up stone steps or glide along the water by boat, gazing upward at nature’s breathtaking beauty—a unique “heavenly realm” found at every turn. In addition to the fantastical karst landscape, the scenic area has also introduced a variety of new attractions, including outdoor adventure activities, hot spring wellness retreats, ethnic cultural performances, and rural tourism experiences, enriching visitors’ overall travel experience.

 

 

5. The world’s largest natural garden—the Baili Rhododendron Garden

The Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area is renowned as "the world's largest natural garden" and is celebrated for its beauty as the "Earth's Colorful Ribbon" and "World Garden." It derives its name from its naturally pristine forest belt, which spans 1 to 3 kilometers in width and stretches over 50 kilometers. This area is a national-level forest park and successfully upgraded to a 5A-rated scenic spot in 2013.

 

 

The park boasts 41 varieties of rhododendrons, including the Ma Ying rhododendron, the Dewdrop rhododendron, and the Cluster-flowered rhododendron—covering all five subgenera of rhododendrons worldwide. From late March to May in late spring, various rhododendron species bloom in full splendor, coloring the mountains and fields with countless vibrant hues and diverse forms, carpeting hills and valleys in a dazzling array of colors.

 

 

Other premium routes:

“Explore the Cave of Heavenly Flowers and Savor the Divine Charm of Wumeng”—A “Oxygen-Rich” Wellness Journey in Bijie

Zhijin Cave—Wujiang Hundred-Li Gallery (Huayuji)—Hundred-Li Rhododendron—Jiudongtian—Jiucaiping

 

 

“A Red Journey: Tracing Red Memories and Reliving Glorious Years”

Zunyi Conference Site—Jinsha Qian Zhuangfei Memorial Hall—Qianxi Daguan—Baili Rhododendron Huangjiaba Sniper Site—Jiming San Sheng Scenic Area—Former Site of the Qixingguan Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Revolutionary Committee—Guiyang

 

 

“Golden House, Golden Flowers, Golden Chives”—A Leisurely Journey of Fast Travel and Slow Exploration

Huangguoshu Waterfall—Zhijin Pingyuan Ancient Town—Zhijin Cave—Wujiang Hundred-Li Gallery—Hundred-Li Rhododendron—Shixiang Ancient Town—Jiucaiping

 

 

Following the press conference, relevant departments from the provincial, municipal, and county levels, as well as tourism-related enterprises, convened a symposium to discuss and deliberate on the industrialization of tourism and how tourism industrialization can drive high-quality development in Bijie.

 

 

As a key tourism attraction being vigorously developed by Zhijin and an important node along Guizhou’s premium tourism route in central and western regions, Pingyuan Ancient Town is seizing the opportunity presented by the industrialization of Zhijin’s integrated tourism development. Through offering experiences such as “appreciating the colorful beauty of Guizhou, touring Pingyuan Ancient Town, staying at Zhijin hotels, and savoring authentic Guizhou cuisine,” Pingyuan Ancient Town enriches the tourism itinerary with diverse offerings in sightseeing, culture, commerce, and accommodation. Together with Zhijin Cave, it forms a “one city, one cave” model, creating a “large-scale scenic area” and driving the development of a “tourism-plus” industrial chain.