Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (fifth batch) |
| Province | Guizhou |
| Location | Border of Nayong and Dafang counties, Guizhou |
| Mountains | Wumeng Mountains |
| Latitude, longitude | 27.2, 105.4 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Gorge, karst, underground river |
| Area | 150 km² |
| Nearby cities | Bijie (Guizhou), Zunyi, Guiyang |
| Nearby sites | Zhijin Cave 74km, Dragon Palace Caves 131km, Huangguoshu Waterfall 137km, Shunan Bamboo Sea 146km, Chishui Scenic Area 153km Search nearby |
| Themes | Hidden River, Cave, River, Canyon, Karst, Rafting & boat trips |
About
Jiudongtian lies on the border of Nayong and Dafang counties, Guizhou, 23 km long and 150 km² in area, combining gorge, karst and underground river.
The Liuchong River flows east through the two counties, forming the Zongxi River area upstream and Jiudongtian downstream. Here the river dives underground as the Guazhong underground river, about 7 km long. Along the ridge of the Wumeng Mountains above it are nine huge skylights; boating through, the sky appears and vanishes, hence the name “nine cave skies”. The nine caves are strung like beads, about 80 m high on average and 100 m at most, the water 50 m at its widest and 10 m at its narrowest.
The Guazhong underground hydro station was built inside the great natural cave at the outlet of the river’s second underground section: 4 × 400 kW from April 1984 and 2 × 500 kW from November 1994, with powerhouse, waterworks and switchgear all inside the cave.
It is in the fifth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2004.
Travel tips
Getting there: the area lies where Nayong and Dafang counties meet. Go first to Bijie or Guiyang, then take an expressway coach or drive to Nayong or Dafang, three to four hours from Guiyang, and finish by local transport on a long mountain road.
Layout: the Liuchong River forms the Zongxi River section upstream and the Jiudongtian section downstream. In the Jiudongtian stretch the river goes underground for about 7 km as the Guazhong River underground course.
What you do: the visit is mostly by boat, going through the underground river with nine openings in the roof letting daylight in; you also see the gorge and caves along the way.
Time: one day is enough; add a second day if you also visit the Zongxi River section.
Season: spring to autumn are all possible. After summer rain the water is high and boats may not run.
Where to stay: there is little lodging at the site, so most people stay in Nayong or Dafang town or in Bijie.
Nearby: Zhijin Cave is not far and can be added to the same trip, one to two hours away by road.
Caution: the mountain roads are winding and slippery in the rainy season. Inside the underground river it is dark, and boating depends on the water level.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Chishui Scenic Area 153km, Tusi Sites 155km, Dazu Rock Carvings 263km, Shibing Karst (Yuntai Mountain) 267km |
| National parks | Zhijin Cave 74km, Red Maple Lake 129km, Shihai Dongxiang (Stone Sea and Caves) 129km, Dragon Palace Caves 131km |
| AAAAA attractions | Baili Azalea Scenic Area 42km, Qingyan Ancient Town Scenic Area 160km |
| AAAA attractions | Zhongguohe Tourist Scenic Area 17km, Jinhai Lake Tourist Scenic Area 20km, Jiucai Plateau 38km, Hundred-Mile Azalea Fangjiaping 49km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Xingwen UNESCO Global Geopark 119km |
| Cities | Guiyang 145km |
| Historical sites | Site of the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Provincial Revolutionary Committee 17km, Tomb of Shexiang 21km |
| National geoparks | Xingwen Shihai National Geopark 112km |
| Nature reserves | Weining Caohai National Nature Reserve 121km |