Guangxi Hechi's "Devil's Eye," Exploring the Earth's Most Mysterious Pupil!

Guilin's landscape is world-renowned, but only after seeing Hechi's "Devil's Eye" will you truly understand what natural awe means.

Here's a recommendation for a little-known secret spot in Guangxi—the "Devil's Eye" of Du'an. It’s not a real devil’s eye, but the mysterious underwater cave entrances among the underground river skylights in Du'an. The crystal-clear lake water reflects the sky and earth like a pupil, affectionately called the "Eye of the Earth" by locals.

🌊 What is the "Devil's Eye"?

In Du'an Yao Autonomous County, Hechi, there are over 300 underground river skylights scattered around. They look like eyes suddenly opened by the earth, with crystal-clear lake water connected to underground rivers, deep and bottomless.

The most famous include Jiudun Skylight, Tunbang Skylight, and Nongxiang Skylight. These skylights have clear, deep blue water that, when viewed from above, resemble blue pupils embedded among green mountains, hence the name "Devil's Eye."

🗺️ Itinerary Plan: 3-Day Exploration Trip

Day 1: First Experience of Du'an Skylight Group

· Morning: After arriving in Du'an, head straight to Jiudun Skylight. Known as China's underwater Mount Everest, it has an underwater depth of 212 meters. The surroundings are tranquil, and the lake water is as blue and clear as jade. It’s open to the public for free. You can watch diving enthusiasts explore underwater or gently touch the cool lake water to feel the chill from beneath the earth.
· Afternoon: Visit Tunbang Skylight and Jiuling Skylight. Tunbang Skylight looks like a huge sapphire set among the karst peaks, with clear water reflecting the blue sky, resembling a fairyland. For 30 yuan, you can ride a bamboo raft floating on the water, watching underwater plants sway, as if floating in the sky.
· Evening: Stay overnight in Du'an County town and taste local specialties like Du'an sour porridge and black goat meat. The sour porridge is appetizing and refreshing, and the black goat meat is tender and delicious—flavors hard to find elsewhere.

Day 2: Nongxiang Skylight and Kaihua River

· Morning: Get up early to visit Nongxiang Tiankeng (sinkhole). This huge karst cave in Bahe Village, Gaoling Town, Du'an County, has a diameter of over 300 meters and a depth exceeding 100 meters. The best viewing time is from 2 to 5 pm when sunlight creates a stunning Tyndall effect through the cave opening, with beams of light pouring down like a fairyland. Arriving early helps avoid crowds and capture the most peaceful and spectacular scenes.
· Afternoon: Head to Weizou Village, home to a blooming river. Seaweed flowers cover the entire river surface, creating a dreamy scene as white as snow. You can rent a glass boat or paddleboard to float among the flowers, enjoying the faint sweet fragrance and experiencing the ultimate summer romance. Paddleboard rental costs about 30 yuan/hour or 50 yuan/2 hours, with room for negotiation.
· Evening: Continue staying in Du'an County town, explore the local night market, try authentic boiled rice noodles and barbecue, and experience the nightlife of this Yao ethnic town.

Day 3: Highlights of Surrounding Areas

· Morning: Travel to Dahua Yao Autonomous County to explore the Qibainong National Geopark. It features unique karst landscapes with overlapping peaks like a painting. Climb the viewing platform to see over 5,000 peak clusters rolling like a green dragon’s spine in the sea of clouds, and more than 1,300 deep depressions resembling giant fingerprints left by gods.
· Afternoon: Take a sightseeing boat on the Hongshui River to admire the unique karst formations on both banks. The boat captain will point out unusual mountain shapes like "Twin Lions Fighting for a Ball" and "Peacock Spreading Its Tail." If time permits, visit Gongchuan Lover’s Bay to see red smartweed marshes and an iron chain bridge adorned with love locks.
· Evening: End your trip in Dahong Town. When the bronze drum-patterned lanterns light up, join the lively bamboo pole dance and taste the roasted Qibainong chicken, immersing yourself in the charm of Yao culture.

💎 Travel Tips

1. Best Season: May to October is the best time to visit Hechi skylights, with clear water and sunny weather. Although summer is hot, the skylight areas are cool and pleasant, making them perfect summer retreats.
2. Transportation: It’s recommended to drive or hire a car to visit the various spots for more flexibility. Attractions in Du'an are scattered, and driving allows you to stop and enjoy the scenery anytime.
3. Unique Experiences:
· Watch professional divers explore the underwater world at Jiudun Skylight.
· Wait for the Tyndall light effect at Nongxiang Tiankeng to capture magical light and shadow.
· Paddleboard through seaweed flowers at Weizou Village.
· Search for natural colored jade stones with miniature landscape patterns on the Hongshui River beach.
4. Equipment Suggestions: Bring a waterproof camera, sunscreen, swimsuit, and non-slip shoes. If you plan to swim, prepare towels and change of clothes. The water temperature at Du'an skylights is about 17-18°C, so long immersion can feel cold.
5. Safety Tips: The skylight waters are deep with underground river currents; do not swim without permission and always follow local safety instructions. Stay in areas with lifeguards and protective facilities.

🍜 Food and Accommodation

Hechi offers not only stunning scenery but also rich culinary culture. Besides the mentioned Du'an sour porridge and black goat meat, you can also try:

· Bama fragrant pork: crispy skin and flavorful meat, a specialty of Bama Yao Autonomous County.
· Hemp seed soup: healthy and delicious, a local longevity dish.
· Sesame swordfish: available at riverside restaurants along the Hongshui River, tender and fresh without fishy taste.

For accommodation, you can choose Yishang Hotel or local guesthouses in Du'an County town, which are affordable, clean, and comfortable. For an ethnic cultural experience, Dahong Town in Dahua offers unique guesthouses where opening the window reveals starry skies and karst peak silhouettes.

🌟 Insider Tips

Hechi’s "Devil's Eye" is not a single attraction but a series of natural wonders scattered across Du'an and surrounding areas. There are few tourists, no over-commercialization, only Yao village smoke curling around peaks and boatmen’s songs echoing through the valleys.

Standing before the crystal-clear skylights that resemble pupils, you will feel the most primal power and beauty of nature. There are no devils here, only the purest "eyes" of the earth, gazing at the sky and passing travelers.

Take this guide and start your Hechi "Devil's Eye" exploration journey! Here lies Guangxi’s most pristine and breathtaking landscape, waiting for travelers who truly appreciate it.