Jiuxiang Scenic Area is located in Jiuxiang Yi and Hui Autonomous Township of Yiliang County in southeast Kunming. It is 90 kilometers away from downtown Kunming and 30 kilometers from the Stone Forest (Shi Lin). Kunming, Jiuxiang, a state 4A-level scenic attraction, is famous for its underground Karst caves, intoxicating natural landscapes, historical sights and ethnic culture of the Yi Minority.

The Jiuxiang Karst Cave cluster consists of over 100 caves and was formed in the Sinian Period some 600 millions years ago. It beats out China’s other caves in scale, quantity, and grotesqueness. Jiuxiang has been dubbed the “Karst Cave Museum” and “the Hometown of Karst Caves”.

The major scenic spots accessible in Jiuxiang include:

Yincuixia Gorge (yīn cuì xiá)

Flanked by lofty cliffs, the gorge is about 600 meters long. Lush vegetation that hugs the cliffs will greet you as you enter the emerald gorge by boat. It is a tranquil resort to enjoy before your cave exploration begins.

The Terrifying Gorge (jīnɡ hún xiá)

Seven hundred meters long, the Terrifying Gorge is the most spectacular underground gorge ever discovered in China and is flanked by steep precipices. The depth (from the entrance to the bottom of the gorge) is 100 meters and the narrowest place is a remarkable three to four meters. Walking inside the gorge can be a terrifying experience for some.

The Male Lion Hall (xiónɡ shī tīng)

Covering 15,000 square meters, the Male Lion Hall is the largest underground hall in the world.

The Fairy Palace (shén nǚ ɡōnɡ)

The Fairy Palace is a representative of the Karst underground sceneries. Its name comes from the stalactites that look like fairies that are in various postures of cuddling, lying, sitting, reclining, and dancing in the heaven palace. Seeing it will make you feel as if you are in a fairyland.

The Twin Waterfalls (cí xiónɡ fēi pù)

The two underground waterfalls, their water cascading from a 30 meter-high precipice, plunge parallel to one another into a gorge. People say the two thunderous and magnificent waterfalls are like two lovers. This resemblance is why some also refer to the pair as, “Ci Xiong Fei Pu” which means, “the Female and Male Waterfalls”.

The Fairy Land (The Sacred Terraces)

Spanning over 100 square meters, the Sacred Land Area is 10 meters high. The sprawling and magnificent pools are rarely seen. The area is deemed as the number one of its kind in the world.

Linyin Village (lín yīn zhài)

Linyin Village is hidden in the depth of Jiuxiang Cave about 100 meters underground. Pieces of the Yi culture can be found in the village such as the Mizhi Bush, a traditional Yi festival, and Chieftains Castle. The village is the result of the Yi people’s pure and simple lifestyles passed down onto them by their forefathers.

The Bat Cave (biān fú dònɡ) The Bat Cave’s stalactites are what make this site impressive. Stalactites in the cave lean irregularly and at various gradients, which is caused by an air current.. The locals in Juixiang, which refer to the caves as the “reverse stone forest have a saying that the stones are crooked by the wind.

Jiuxiang Cable Car When the cave tour is complete you will go back to the entrance by the cable car. The Cable Car, about 1 kilometer long, will give you a comfortable ride above the luscious vegetation. During the ride you can also catch a glimpse of the Ape-man Ruins at Zhangkou Cave.

Travel tips:

(1)Ninety km from Kunming, 54 km from Yiliang county seat, and 35 km from the Stone Forest.

(2)Hotels are available in Yiliang or Jiuxiang. You also can go back to Kunming in the same day.

(3)Nearby: Stone Forest, Yanquan Scenic Area, and villages on the way to Jiuxiang.

(4) Food: Restaurants available near the entrance to the scenic area, Yiliang Roast Duck, fetta (goat cheese) and dried beef among other options.

(5)Shopping: Embroideries of the Yi minority and other cute handicrafts.