China, a karst country

Karst landforms are widely distributed in the world

About 10% of the Earth's total area

China's karst area accounts for about 13% of the country's total area.

Mainly distributed in the south

Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong and other provinces and regions

It is the largest and most concentrated karst area in the world.

Well-known

Karst landforms have always been known for their beautiful scenery.

Today, Geography will show you

How beautiful is China's karst?

Peaks and peak clusters stand tall between rivers and streams

This has created the beautiful scenery of "Guilin's landscape is the best in the world"

The stone forest rising from the flat ground is full of beauty

The legend of Ashima

The thousands of feet of canyons and the great rivers complement each other

The myth of "Wushan Goddess" was derived

There is a different world inside the magical cenote

It gave birth to a paradise like "Peach Blossom Spring"

besides

There is also the mysterious natural bridge,

The karst waterfalls,

The crystal clear karst lake...

This is a gift from the Creator to the Chinese people.

They are either spectacular, or beautiful, or steep, or deep.

It makes scholars nostalgic and scientists obsessed

Guangxi

Carbonate rock area in Guangxi

It accounts for 41% of the total area of ​​the autonomous region.

From northeast to west, there are large areas of karst landforms exposed.

There are also sporadic distributions in the southeast direction

In addition, Guangxi is located in the subtropical monsoon region with abundant rainfall.

It provides excellent conditions for the development of karst landforms.

So here is saved

The most typical and diverse karst landforms

◎ Guangxi: A natural museum of karst landforms, with "Little Guilin" everywhere

Peak forests and peak clusters are the most classic landforms that Guangxi provides us. Guilin is the representative of peak forest and peak cluster landscapes. Nature seems to favor Guangxi. It is not enough to give Guilin, but also to sprinkle "Little Guilin" everywhere. Except for coastal cities, all cities in Guangxi have peak forest plains. (Photo from "National Geographic China" February 2018)

Peak forest and peak cluster

The most classic form of karst landform

"The river is like a blue silk belt, and the mountain is like a jade hairpin"

"A few trips of Li River water, thousands of peaks of Guishan Mountain"

It is a vivid portrayal of Guilin 's scenery and environment.

Guilin's landscape is so beautiful and magical that it is unrivaled in the world.

It comes from the existence of peak forests and peak cluster karst

and their coordinated and orderly distribution in the Guilin Basin

The development of the tree is at its most scenic and ornamental stage.

The isolated peaks in the peak forest karst are distributed in a sparse and dense manner.

There are still water gushing out on the plain ground.

The peaks are tall and heavy, with numerous peaks and valleys.

Magnificent, magnificent

Adding splendor to the world-famous Guilin landscape

◎ The cause of Guilin’s beautiful scenery

The geological structure of Guilin has created a unique beauty here. The limestone in the Guilin Basin is up to 3,000 meters thick, like a large and intact piece of uncut jade. Because the mountains on the north, east and west sides of the Lijiang River Basin are not karst mountains, precipitation will not seep down and eventually converge into rivers. The large and small rivers flowing down from the mountains converge into the Guilin Basin, carving the thick limestone like a chisel, shaping it into separate peaks and forming a peak forest plain on the surface. (Photo by Wang Zhengkun, from "National Geographic China" February 2019)

◎ "I sat on a small boat and looked around, and there were indeed thousands of green lotus flowers." Reflections are a great wonder of the Li River. The river water brings spirituality and dynamic beauty to the solemn stone peaks, and it seems to bring people into a mythical world. From Guilin to Yangshuo by boat, the charming scenery is a display of karst landforms. (Photographed by Bian Zhiwu and Jiang Ping, from "National Geographic China" December 2003)

Underground River

The mysterious and magnificent "Water World"

my country's underground rivers are mainly developed in

Tropical and subtropical karst areas in the southwest

According to the national land resources survey in recent years

Karst areas in Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong, Sichuan and Chongqing

It is the area with the most concentrated distribution of underground rivers in my country.

The total length of underground rivers in Guangxi is about 10,000 kilometers

These hidden rivers extend everywhere underground, unpredictable

Occasionally, when it emerges from the ground, it creates

Various karst wonders such as "Fei Lai Lake" and "Skylight"

◎ Guangxi's underground rivers are mainly distributed in western and central Guangxi. The Disu underground river is the longest and has the largest amount of water. Its main stream originates from the Qibainong mountain area in Hechi City, flows from northwest to southeast through Qibainong, Baoan, Dongmiao, Disu, Sannong and other towns, and flows into the Hongshui River in Qingshui Village of Disu Town. (Photo by Chen Rongsen, from "National Geographic China" February 2018)

Underground rivers are the shapers of vast underground cave systems

In karst areas

Surface water flows through cracks in the rock formations

Continuous infiltration, dissolution, expansion of crack space, and formation of sinkholes

Gathering underground, eventually forming an underground river

As the earth's crust moves further up

The terrain height difference increases and the river begins to cut down

The underground caves formed by the underground river also cut down and became larger.

The earth's crust continues to rise, and the groundwater level drops

The underground cave and hall are basically formed.

Therefore, in Guangxi, where underground rivers are well developed

Many large and majestic cave systems have also been developed.

◎ Sanmen Sea

"Sanmen" is actually three karst skylights. The so-called karst skylights refer to the light-transmitting parts on the top of underground rivers or karst caves, which connect the surface with the underground river. Through the Sanmenhai skylights, people can get a glimpse of the true face of the Poxin underground river. From a morphological point of view, the Sanmenhai skylights also meet the characteristics of a tiankeng, but the bottom of the pit is still filled with underground river water. If you visit Sanmenhai in the rainy season, you are likely to find a flood, from the cave entrance to the valley bottom. (Photo/Shui Xiaojie, from "National Geographic China" February 2018)

Tiankeng

The secrets hidden in the depressions on the surface

After 2005

The term "tiankeng" is defined by the Chinese

Gained unanimous recognition in the international karst academic community

And began to use the Chinese pinyin "tiankeng", which is widely used internationally

This is the second peak forest (fenglin) and peak cluster (fengcong).

The third one was defined by the Chinese and named in Chinese and Pinyin .

Karst landform terminology

Mr. Zhu Xuewen, the "Father of Tiankeng", believes

In terms of karst tiankeng

The Dashiwei Tiankeng Group in Leye is the most representative example

It has extremely high scientific connotation and research value

At present, tiankengs in Leye are still being discovered.

The total number has exceeded 30

◎ Guangxi, a well-deserved tiankeng kingdom

Guangxi's tiankengs are most densely distributed in Baise and Hechi, but they are also found in other areas. It may be a bit exaggerated to say that "Guangxi is full of tiankengs", but tiankengs may exist in most cities and counties in Guangxi. (Photo from "National Geographic China" January 2018)

In traditional Chinese culture

Mountains and rocks have long become important aesthetic objects

They are noble, upright, and admired like heroes.

But we are not good at appreciating negative terrain

Caves, cenotes, and shafts often bring us

Uncomfortable associations such as sinking, danger, dampness, darkness, etc.

The country is waiting

Negative topography is a more profound beauty that requires knowledge to interpret

Tiankeng

The most spectacular sight on earth

Extra large negative karst terrain

The steep cliffs and huge depressions are dazzling.

◎ Dashiwei, Guangxi's "star" tiankeng

Dashiwei Tiankeng, located in Leye County, Baise City, was discovered in 2000. It is another major scientific discovery after the discovery of Xiaozhai Tiankeng in Fengjie, Chongqing in 1995. In June 2000, Zhu Xuewen, a researcher at the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, was invited to inspect Dashiwei Tiankeng and its surrounding tiankeng groups and confirmed the existence of a world-class tiankeng group. Since then, Dashiwei Tiankeng in Leye has become famous all over the world and has gradually been built into a "business card" of Guangxi. (Photo by Li Jin, from "National Geographic China" January 2018)

Yunnan

The second step of Yunnan Plateau

It is roughly bounded by the Pudu River, Kunming, and Shiping.

It can be divided into the central Yunnan red bed plateau

To the east is the Yunnan Karst Plateau

It is the area with the most concentrated karst landforms in Yunnan.

The surface is full of stone forests, funnels, natural bridges, and peaks.

There are many caves and underground rivers

It is because the karst stone forest landscape in eastern Yunnan is so typical

Yunnan became

The place where the term "Stone Forest" for karst landform was coined

◎ The southern part of China, especially the southwest, is the most densely distributed area of ​​China's stone forests. However, although there are many stone forests, the overall area only accounts for a very small part of the karst area. Its formation is the result of a favorable combination of many factors such as geology, climate, and hydrology, or even a coincidence, which also makes the stone forest landscape unique and precious. (Photo from "National Geographic China" October 2011)

stone forest

Thousands of rocks stand tall and thousands of blades clash

The distribution area of ​​Lunan Stone Forest is 400 square kilometers.

It is one of the largest stone forest distribution areas in the world.

Because it's so famous here

When talking about "Stone Forest", people usually refer to the southern part of Yunnan Road.

Most importantly

Lunan Stone Forest is like a **"Stone Forest Museum"**

Whether it is sword-shaped, tower-shaped, mushroom-shaped

Or irregular stone pillars

There are traces to follow

In the Qingshuitang-Shixiangzi area

You can also see the scene of **Four Generations Living Under One Roof** in Stone Forest

From young stone buds

Sparse stone forest in old age

Miraculously appeared in the same area

The stone forest at Suoyishan-Wenbishan is very well layered.

They stand in the water and on the hillside, like natural bonsai.

◎ This picture taken in Yunnan Stone Forest World Geopark (Lunan Stone Forest) shows a beautiful stone forest reflected in the spring waves of the lake. (Photo by Yang Xinmin, from "National Geographic China" October 2011)

Guizhou

The development of karst landform is a major feature of Guizhou

Karst exposed area 130,000 square kilometers

It accounts for 73.8% of the province’s total land area.

The karst bedrock is widely distributed, thick, and accounts for a high proportion of

Unique in the country

There are only 4 counties in the province with basically no karst development

It can be called China's "Karst Province"

cave

Natural treasures hidden in the cave

There are many caves in places where karst is developed, and almost no mountain can be formed without caves.

The Zhijin Cave in Bijie has more than 40 kinds of karst deposits.

Presenting thousands of weather conditions and infinite scenery

Known as the "underground heaven"

The "Silver Rain Tree" in Zhijin Cave and other various "treasures of the cave"

Strange and dazzling

In fact, these colorful "treasures"

All have a common name - cave sediments

They are all unique landscapes formed by karst action in the caves.

◎ The sediments in Zhijin Cave are rich in variety and densely distributed

After the cave was discovered in 1980 when Zhijin County was exploring for tourism resources, many karst and speleologists from China and abroad came here to conduct investigations, research and evaluations. They found that the intermittent uplift of the strong neotectonic movement in the area, the changes in the water system, and the incision and capture of the river were the fundamental driving forces for the formation and development of Zhijin Cave. (Photo by Li Guiyun, from "National Geographic China" October 2005)

Karst forest

The only one of its kind in the world at the same latitude

Exposed karst landscape

Sometimes it gives people a sense of sadness

After the Libo Maolan Karst Forest was discovered

People all cherish this rare green karst landscape .

Experts in biology, geology and ecology

Karst peaks, funnels and depressions covered with dense native vegetation

Intoxicated, forget to return

They think

The original natural background of Libo Maolan Karst Forest

It is unique in the world at the same latitude.

This is the true face of the subtropical karst natural environment.

It is the most perfectly preserved karst native forest scenery in the contemporary world.

◎ Maolan Karst Forest is located in Libo County in southern Guizhou. The karst peaks covered by dense forest vegetation are undulating, and the unique karst funnel forests and depression forests are crisscrossed. The original forests are lush and green, and the water is beautiful and the mountains are green. (Photo by Li Guiyun, from "National Geographic China" October 2005)

Chongqing

Karst landforms in Chongqing

Although the area is not the largest and the distribution is not the widest

But its karst effect is very strong

The landform types are also extremely rich

And it has a unique and charming wonderful scenery

The exposed area of ​​carbonate rocks in Chongqing is 32,000 square kilometers.

It accounts for about 38.9% of Chongqing’s total area.

But the vast majority are concentrated in

Daba Mountain area in the northeast

and the Wushan Mountains and Wuling Mountains in the southeast

Yangtze River Three Gorges

China's largest karst canyon with the largest amount of water

In the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge have the most fascinating landscapes

Because they are made of limestone

They are all comb-shaped karst parallel ridges and valleys.

It is a series of parallel limestone mountains.

The Yangtze River cuts through them, leaving behind mountain sections

Cut with a knife and chop with an axe, stand straight

Therefore, the landscape is extremely concentrated and prominent.

Only in karst areas

Only then can such a neat cliff appear

Because in the Three Gorges Karst Canyon area

The soil layer is thinner and there is less sediment

Coupled with the strong water transport effect of the Yangtze River

The slope deposits and flood deposits cannot be retained under the cliff.

Only then can the cliff be so clean and neat

◎ Wu Gorge is a typical limestone canyon

In addition to the beauty of clouds and rain, what is even more fascinating is the vertical beauty of the karst cliffs. Autumn is the best time to view the Wushan cliffs. At this time, the red leaves all over the mountains form a strong color contrast with the turquoise river water. The picture is bright, full, and rich like an oil painting. At this time, if a boat enters the picture with subtle ripples behind the boat, the whole oil painting will come alive. (Photo by Wang Zhengkun, from "National Geographic China" February 2019)

Karst Table Mountain

Ark sailing in the clouds

Traditional geomorphic terms such as karst peak cluster and peak forest

None of them can summarize the unique landform of Jinfo Mountain.

To characterize the unique karst landform of Jinfo Mountain

It took the experts a lot of effort

Karst square mountain, cut-type plateau karst,

Karst tablelands, karst isolated mountains…

After many demonstrations

January 9, 2013

Yuan Daoxian, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

and international karst expert Paul Williams and other experts

It is characterized as a karst table mountain.

Visually reflects

The majestic and majestic Jinfo Mountain is flat and steep.

This landform is extremely rare in the world.

Jinfoshan naturally became its typical representative

It shows the cone, sword and tower shapes similar to those in southern my country.

A completely different landscape from canyons, tiankeng karst, etc.

◎ Jinfo Mountain is a remnant of the ancient planoplanatic surface, with rich and complete karst landform types.

As research deepens, the karst landforms of Jinfo Mountain are attracting more and more attention: the karst landforms here represent the early stages of the karst evolution process in southern China; the high altitude, age, and scale of saltpeter mining in the alpine caves are the highest in China and rare in the world; the biological species here are the richest in the karst landforms at the same latitude in the world. (Photo by Chen Rongsen, from "National Geographic China" February 2019)

Natural Bridge

The ruins of the cave, the strength of the bridge

Wulong District, Chongqing City, where the "Three Natural Bridges" are located

It is a place where karst landforms are widely developed in China.

There are many caves here, including the deepest vertical shaft in China.

Tiankeng and ground cracks are also famous landscapes here.

But the most worth mentioning is the natural bridge

"Three Natural Bridges" refers to the three most famous natural bridges here.

——Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge and Heilong Bridge

They are distributed continuously in a canyon called Yangshui River.

Forming a natural bridge group

The biggest feature of these three bridges is their height.

Visitors are all shocked by these three stone bridges created by nature.

That’s why

Wulong's natural bridges have been successfully included in the World Natural Heritage List

◎ Remote control aircraft taking low-altitude photos of the Tiansheng Three Bridges

After seeing the Tianlong Bridge from the ground, the plane in the air gives us a different perspective. (Photo by Hu Yong and Li Wei, from China National Geographic, January 2014)

Although the term karst

Born in Slovenia

However, in contrast, China's southern region

More qualified to be synonymous with karst landform

China is the country with the largest distribution area of ​​karst landforms

From tropical to cold temperate zones, from humid to arid areas

A full range of karst landforms

China is also

The earliest country to describe and study karst landforms

As early as the Jin Dynasty, there were records of karst landforms.

Later, Xu Xiake's Travels, written by Xu Hongzu in the Ming Dynasty,

The most detailed records

From research history to distribution area

China is a veritable "karst kingdom"

Peaks, forests, mountains, valleys, lakes, rocks, waterfalls, springs, pools

Karst landforms combine almost all natural landscape elements

Editor: Xiao

Source: National Geographic China