Park of China
Overview
| Designation | National Park of China (fifth batch) |
| Province | Chongqing |
| Location | Fengjie, Chongqing |
| Latitude, longitude | 30.8, 109.4 Google Maps |
| Nearby cities | Wuhan, Chongqing, Chengdu |
| Highlights | Karst sinkhole |
| Top sights | The sinkhole and the fissure |
| Nearby sites | The Three Gorges of the Yangtze 49km, Shennongjia 124km, Wulingyuan (Zhangjiajie) 185km Search nearby |
| Themes | Karst, Cave, Glen, Long River, Canyon |
About
The Tiankeng–Difeng scenic area lies south of the Yangtze in Fengjie County, Chongqing, over 300 km² in six parts: the sinkhole, the fissure, the Longqiao, Migong and Jiupan rivers and Maocaoba, the sinkhole and fissure being the main sights.
A tiankeng is a karst doline. The Xiaozhai sinkhole at Fengjie is the largest known in the world: 666 m deep, 622 m across at the rim and 522 m at the floor. The Tianjingxia fissure is a hidden crack 37 km long, 80 to 300 m deep and 1 to 30 m wide at the bottom, a classic “one-line sky”.
Wulong, about 250 km southwest of Fengjie, also has sinkholes and a fissure gorge (the Three Natural Bridges and the Longshuixia Fissure). That is a separate site, part of the South China Karst World Heritage Site.
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 park is in Fengjie county, Chongqing, on the south bank of the Yangtze. Fengjie has an airport, and can be reached from Chongqing and Yichang by boat, coach or high-speed rail. The park is about 90 km from Fengjie town, with direct park buses or chartered cars.
Layout: the park has six areas, the Xiaozhai Sinkhole, the Tianjing Gorge fissure, the Longqiao River, the Maze River, the Jiupan River and Maocaoba. The sinkhole and the fissure are the main area.
Sinkhole: Xiaozhai Sinkhole is 622 m across at the rim and 666 m deep. You can look down from viewing platforms, or go down the steps to the bottom, which takes several hours there and back.
Fissure: the Tianjing Gorge fissure is 1 to 30 m wide at the bottom, with high walls on either side. A plank path leads through in dim light, and it takes effort.
Time: the sinkhole and the fissure together need a full day, and two days with the other areas.
Season: spring and autumn are comfortable. Summer has more rain and slippery paths along the fissure, with the risk of flash floods. In winter snow the path can ice over.
Where to stay: Fengjie town has the most hotels, and there are farmhouse inns near the park.
Nearby: Fengjie has the Baidi City and Qutang Gorge, and the sinkhole can be included on a Three Gorges trip.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Shennongjia 124km, Tangya Tusi Chengzhi 125km, Wulingyuan (Zhangjiajie) 185km, Laosicheng Site 199km |
| National parks | The Three Gorges of the Yangtze 49km, Tanzhang Gorge 83km, Mengdong River 205km, Liye and Wulong Mountain 224km |
| AAAAA attractions | Baidi City and Qutang Gorge Scenic Area 35km, Yunyang Longgang Scenic Area 41km, Enshi Grand Canyon Scenic Area 45km, Tenglong Cave Scenic Area 63km |
| AAAA attractions | Three Gorges Homeland 8km, Suobuya Stone Forest 24km, Kuizhou Museum 34km, Summit of the Three Gorges 36km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Enshi Grand Canyon-Tenglongdong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark 42km, Yunyang UNESCO Global Geopark 63km, Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global Geopark 186km |
| Historical sites | Yumidong Site 22km, Longgupo Site 25km |
| National geoparks | Yunyang Longgang National Geopark 41km, Wufeng National Geopark 137km, Qianjiang Xiaonanhai National Geopark 140km |
| Nature reserves | Yintiaoling National Nature Reserve 93km, Xuebaoshan National Nature Reserve 112km, Badagongshan National Nature Reserve 127km, Hupingshan National Nature Reserve 137km |