Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (sixth batch) |
| Province | Guizhou |
| Location | Ziyun County, Guizhou |
| Latitude, longitude | 25.4, 105.9 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Karst |
| Area | 70 km² |
| Nearby cities | Ziyun (Guizhou), Guiyang |
| Nearby sites | Huangguoshu Waterfall 70km, Dragon Palace Caves 78km, Maling River 97km, Zhijin Cave 145km, Libo and the Zhangjiang River 185km Search nearby |
| Themes | Karst, Cave, River, Hidden River |
About
The Getu River cave scenic area in Ziyun Miao and Bouyei Autonomous County, Guizhou, is a karst landscape of about 70 km² in four parts: the Small Arch, the Great Arch, the Great River and Huangjiawan.
Getu is Miao for the river of the “holy place of the flower-jumping festival”. A 12 km stretch runs underground; the sights are the Upper Arch, the highest ancient riverbed relic in the world, the blind valley, the Swallow King Palace in the Great Arch, the Miao Hall, the second largest cave chamber in the world, and the Tongtian shaft, the deepest karst shaft in China.
It is in the sixth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2005.
Travel tips
Getting there: the nearest large city is Guiyang, about 150 km from Ziyun county, around three hours by road; you can also go to Anshun and change. From Ziyun county town to the Getu River area is about 30 km, roughly an hour.
Layout: four areas, namely Big Chuandong, the Big River, Small Chuandong and Yaoyan. Big Chuandong and the Miao Hall are the main sights.
Big Chuandong: the cave mouth is huge and large numbers of birds roost around it; at dusk they return in flocks, the most distinctive sight.
The Miao Hall: a very large chamber inside the cave that can hold a big crowd.
How to visit: there are paths and boardwalks as well as boat stretches, and the visit takes half a day to a day.
Time: one day covers the main sights; add a second if you want the Big River and Small Chuandong.
Season: spring to autumn are all fine, and the cave is cool in summer. In the rainy season the water rises and some stretches are closed.
Where to stay: small hotels and farm guesthouses in Ziyun town and near the area.
Caution: the cave is damp with many steps, so wear shoes with grip; watch the water level in the rainy season.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Libo and the Zhangjiang River 185km, Huanjiang Karst 212km, Stone Forest of Lunan 267km, Tusi Sites 283km |
| National parks | Huangguoshu Waterfall 70km, Dragon Palace Caves 78km, Maling River 97km, Red Maple Lake 131km |
| AAAAA attractions | Wanfeng Forest Scenic Area 109km, Qingyan Ancient Town Scenic Area 130km, Baise Uprising Memorial Park Scenic Area 182km |
| AAAA attractions | Sancha River 30km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Xingyi UNESCO Global Geopark 107km, Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark 135km |
| National geoparks | Baise Leye Dashiwei Tiankeng Group National Geopark 90km, Xingyi National Geopark 107km |
| Nature reserves | Yachang Orchids National Nature Reserve 79km, Dayaoshan National Nature Reserve 99km, Cenwanglaoshan National Nature Reserve 122km, Jinzhongshan Hume's Pheasant National Nature Reserve 135km |