Luodian Daxiaojing: Bamboo Rafting and Cave Exploration in Guizhou's "Little Sanya"

After visiting "Shi'er Beihou," our next stop was originally planned to be Zhijin Cave in Bijie. However, having seen too many karst caves and stalactites recently, we felt a bit of aesthetic fatigue and decided to change our itinerary. We chose a lesser-known scenic spot near the "China Sky Eye": the Emerald River Valley—Luodian Daxiaojing.

Located at the southernmost tip of Guizhou, Luodian is known as the "Little Sanya of Guizhou" due to its unique geography and climate. Daxiaojing is less than 30 kilometers from the county town, surrounded by mountains and dotted with karst caves, stone forests, sinkholes, and underground rivers. The river here is especially clear and emerald green, like flowing gemstones.

The journey from Suiyang's "Shi'er Beihou" to Luodian's "Daxiaojing" covers over 400 kilometers, but the entire route is mostly highways with good road conditions. As we approached Daxiaojing, the first thing that caught our eye was the Daxiaojing Grand Bridge, a concrete arch bridge with a main span of 450 meters and a total length of 1,501 meters. Once the world's largest-span concrete arch bridge in mountainous areas, it spans the canyon like a rainbow, majestic and awe-inspiring.

Entering the scenic area, we were greeted by a ribbon-like emerald river winding through the mountains. Ancient banyan trees and lush bamboo groves lined the banks, while Bouyei ethnic villages with their white-walled, blue-tiled farmhouses dotted the landscape, creating a vibrant pastoral scene under the sunlight.

Our first stop was Xiangshui Cave (Echoing Water Cave) along the left mountain path. From afar, we could hear the thunderous sound of water. As we neared the cave entrance, a cool mist greeted us. An underground river gushed from the rock crevices, cascading down a ten-meter-high waterfall at a fault line, its spray like flying pearls and its roar like a dragon's call. Nearby, a man-made dam formed a whirlpool-like vortex, its deafening sound likely contributing to the cave's name.

We then switched to bamboo rafts inside the cave, gliding into the dark depths under the flickering light of the boatman's headlamp. Stalactites hung like fangs from the ceiling, while stalagmites glowed with a jade-like hue in the dim light. On the other side of the cave, we found a vast, primitive chamber where sunlight poured in from the entrance, contrasting sharply with the dark cave behind. Climbing out led to other sinkholes and caves.

After exploring Xiangshui Cave, we returned and took a bamboo raft ride along the Dajing River. The emerald-green water shimmered gently, flanked by verdant peaks and ancient banyan trees, their reflections fracturing into countless emerald shards on the rippling surface.

At the foot of Tiande Cave, we ascended the steps. Tiande Cave is another massive sinkhole, about 200 meters in diameter, surrounded by towering cliffs draped with vines. The sinkhole's floor was lush with greenery and rugged rocks. Even more impressive was the natural bridge above the sinkhole, formed by karst collapse, spanning about 100 meters high like a giant beast's spine against the sky.

To the right of the mountainside was an undeveloped stalactite cave. We descended about 20 meters via a wooden ladder and rough path carved by villagers. Inside, sunlight streamed in like pillars, casting an eerie glow on the rocks. Deeper in, the darkness was overwhelming, with stalactites hanging like ancient icicles and stalagmites straining upward. The cave walls seemed frozen in motion, while water droplets echoed in the silence. We dared not venture further, only skimming the surface.

At the foot of the mountain, the underground river revealed its legendary "jelly green" hue. The river's massive entrance resembled a dark maw, from which the tranquil green water slid out like a giant, semi-solidified jelly, glowing mysteriously in the sunlight. Unfortunately, my camera couldn't fully capture its beauty.

Half a day in Luodian Daxiaojing convinced me that the wild and untamed beauty of southern Guizhou is unparalleled. This "Guizhou version of Semporna" lives up to its reputation!

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**Travel Guide to Luodian Daxiaojing**

**1. Transportation Tips**
- From Guiyang: Take the Yinbai Expressway and Yu'an Expressway, 196 km (~2.5 hours).
- Public transport is limited; self-driving or car rental is recommended.

**2. Key Attractions & Activities**
- **Xiangshui Cave**: A cave with waterfalls inside. Bamboo rafting through the cave costs ¥10 round-trip.
- **Tiande Cave's Blue Hole**: The turquoise waters here are dreamlike, perfect for photos.
- **Biying Pool**: Crystal-clear water ideal for wading and photography.
- **Dajing River Bamboo Rafting**: Drift along the emerald river with karst peaks reflected in the water. Great for photos with the grand bridge.

**3. Accommodation**
- **Luodian County Hotels**: Various options, commercial conveniences, ~20 km from the scenic area. Recommended: Lucheng Banshan Hotel (Mingzhu Plaza Branch).
- **Dajing Village Homestays**: Budget-friendly (¥100–200), simple but affordable.

**4. Food Recommendations**
- **Soybean Chicken**: Local free-range chicken stir-fried with crispy soybeans (¥68/jin).
- **Sour Fish Hotpot**: Traditional Bouyei dish, spicy and appetizing.
- **Snacks**: Rice noodles, lotus leaf cakes, iced wild bayberry juice.

**5. Tickets & Costs**
- Daxiaojing Scenic Area: Free.
- Xiangshui Cave bamboo raft: ¥10/person (cash or scan in advance; no signal inside).
- Dajing River bamboo raft: ¥30/person (4 people per raft).
- Wild caves near Tiande Cave: ¥10/person.

**6. Travel Tips & Notes**
- Best season: March–October, with the most vibrant water colors after August.
- Visit on sunny days; rainy days make the river muddy.
- The caves are undeveloped—steep and rugged terrain requires caution.