Wulong Karst, an important part of South China Karst, is situatedat the lower reaches of the Wujiang River southeast of Chongqing. It was namedas a world natural heritage by UNESCO in 2007. Wulong Karst features spectacularkarst landscapes, including the three main parts of Furong Cave, Three NaturalBridges and Houping Tiankeng (Houping Giant Doline).
Wulong Karst is a valuable treasure that nature created. It is a cluster of several karst landscapes, consisting of gorges, natural bridges, caves, eroded dolines, shafts and underground streams. These karst landforms developed in the carbonate rocks, vividly recording the development and evolution of karst terrain in the Three Gorges area since Pleistocene Era. Furong Cave, Three Natural Bridges and Houping Tiankeng are the three representative karst landforms, developing under the condition of intermittent uplifting movement of the earth.
Each of the three karst systems standing alone forms a spectacular landscape. The Furong Cave abounds with various karren sediments forming many splendid natural wonders. The limestone sediments are also of great significance in scientific study. The three natural bridges constitute the largest natural bridge cluster in Asia, and the natural karst bridges are quite high and grand, a sight rarely seen anywhere in the world.
Houping Giant Doline is the prime example and the largest tiankeng cluster formed by erosion in the world, and the longest underground cavern system in Asia.
Compared with Shilin Karst and Libo Karst, Wulong Karst is located in a relatively remote area away from the impact of human activity. Therefore, Wulong Karst retains its original features of karst landforms that have been despoiled elsewhere, hence its outstanding universal value.
Sightseeing List:
Furong Cave
Three Natural Bridges
Houping Tiankeng (Houping Giant Doline)
Travelers' Voices on Wulong Karst
1.
Sep. 24,2009 06:03 Reply
Mr. Caveman(USA) said:
No problem getting to the three bridges last week. I'm staying near Wulong for about a month for the explicit purpose of studying caves/karst (I'm from USA.) I went to the bridges site at the reccomendation of my frind who lives in Wulong, a little skeptical, since I've seen so much karst in so many places. I was absolutely amazed. I wouldnt be exaggerating too much if I said visiting this site alone was worth traveling to china for.
2.
Jun. 5,2009 21:42 Reply
Ms.Sissy(CanadianChinese) said:
On 3:00pm, Jun.5, a serious landslide happened in Wulong of Chongqing. Till now there are over 20 people found dead. It is said the site is now still in a tension of having a landslide again. Visitors who want to go to the wulong karst scenic spot should better postpone their plans. God bless the departed...