Karst caves beckon thrill-seekers and families to China's frontier playground

The caverns hold more than 30 terraces, dozens of travertine pools, and numerous fine cascades, local media reported.

Under the lights, crystal-clear pools take on an emerald sheen and transform the dark cavern into a bright spectacle.

"This route is very popular with young travelers. Its appeal is mainly about photo potential and the thrill of discovery," said Zhou Xiao, a team leader and coach with a decade of caving experience.

He said he was stunned by Shilong's scenery when he first entered it in early 2021. "For water caves, Shilong's scenery is world-class. Its relatively low difficulty makes it well-suited to visitor exploration."

The cave operator said that aside from a necessary rivet on a steep slope and a safety rope, no extra fixtures have been added, letting visitors experience the cave in near-pristine form.

But industry insiders warn that cave tourism brings safety and environmental risks. Shilong's operators limit entry and require reservations to ease crowding and shield delicate formations.

"Most caves are undeveloped and routes place heavy demands on guides and team members," Zhou said. He urged visitors not to attempt high-difficulty caves without proper credentials and to join teams led by certified guides.

"With more people taking up caving, cave tourism in Guizhou is heating up, but we're still short on guide certifications and environmental protection awareness," Zhou added. "I have seen some popular caves troubled by litter, so I'm running training courses to help professionalize and regulate the industry."