Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (fourth batch) |
| Province | Sichuan |
| Location | Xingwen County, Yibin, Sichuan |
| Latitude, longitude | 28.3, 105.1 Google Maps |
| Area | 121 km² |
| Nearby cities | Yibin (Sichuan), Luzhou |
| Nearby sites | Shunan Bamboo Sea 19km, Chishui Scenic Area 80km, Dazu Rock Carvings 152km, Leshan Giant Buddha 187km, Zhijin Cave 198km Search nearby |
| Themes | Cave, Karst, Stone, Culture, Ethnic cultures |
About
The Shihai Dongxiang scenic area in Xingwen County, Yibin, Sichuan, covers 121 km² with a 14 km² core, a large karst landscape. Its three wonders are a giant sinkhole, the great Tianquan Cave and the “stone sea” on the surface.
Xingwen is the largest Miao settlement in Sichuan and the place where the ancient Bo people were finally wiped out by imperial troops in the Wanli reign of the Ming; it is rich in Bo and Miao culture.
It is in the fourth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2002.
Travel tips
Getting there: the nearest big cities are Yibin and Luzhou. Take a train to Yibin, then a coach to Xingwen county town and on to the park, which is about 20 km and 20 minutes from the town. From Chengdu and Chongqing you can also drive the whole way by expressway.
Layout: the core area covers about 14 sq km. The main things to see are Tianquan Cave, the stone sea and the great sinkhole, the three marvels of the park.
Tianquan Cave: the cave has several levels, and the open part is the main passage of about 3 km, with seven halls. You follow a set path, and it is cool inside.
Stone sea: a field of karst stone peaks, crossed by paths. Husband and Wife Peak and Seven Maidens Peak are in this area.
Sinkhole: the great sinkhole is 650 m across and 208 m deep. You can look down from viewing points or go down the steps to the bottom.
Time: one day is enough for the cave, the stone sea and the sinkhole. A second day allows other sights nearby, such as the Bo people's hanging coffins.
Season: caves are cool in summer, which makes it a good escape from the heat. Winter is damp and cold, and paths are slippery after rain.
Where to stay: there are lodgings near the park and in Xingwen town, where most visitors stay.
The three wonders
Tianquan Cave, the main cave, has been explored for 10 km on four levels; the open part of the main cave is about 3 km long and over 80,000 m², seven great halls with stone flowers, stalagmites, columns, curtains, stalactites, waterfalls and terraces. Its first two levels are about 4.5 km long and 68,000 m² with a height difference of 138 m and an underground river.
The stone sea is about 10 km east to west and 4 km north to south, a forest of stone peaks: the Husband and Wife, the Seven Maidens, the White Dragon Horse and the Beauty Stone.
The great sinkhole is 650 m by 490 m and 208 m deep.
Travel information
The area is 20 km (20 minutes) from the Xingwen county seat, 130 km (about 2 hours) from Yibin and Luzhou and about 5 hours from Chengdu and Chongqing.
Food
Local specialities: black-bone chicken with bitter bamboo shoots or chestnuts, black-bone chicken bean curd, stewed goral, zhu’erba and ya’erba rice cakes and buckwheat cakes.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Chishui Scenic Area 80km, Dazu Rock Carvings 152km, Tusi Sites 178km, Leshan Giant Buddha 187km |
| National parks of China | Giant Panda National Park 335km |
| National parks | Shunan Bamboo Sea 19km, Jiudongtian (Nine Skylights) 129km, Simian Mountains 133km, Zhijin Cave 198km |
| AAAAA attractions | Baili Azalea Scenic Area 139km, Heishan Valley Scenic Area 196km |
| AAAA attractions | Boking Mountain <1km, Xijiashan Traditional Residence 30km, Sidonggou 55km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Xingwen UNESCO Global Geopark 10km, Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark 122km |
| Historic cities | Yibin 66km, Luzhou 71km |
| Historical sites | Qingliangdong Cliff Statues 21km |
| National geoparks | Xingwen Shihai National Geopark 17km |
| Nature reserves | Changning Bamboo Sea National Nature Reserve 25km, Laojunshan National Nature Reserve 56km |