Xiaozhai Tiankeng, Natural sinkhole in Fengjie County, China
Xiaozhai Tiankeng is a natural depression in Chongqing Province and ranks among the deepest of its kind worldwide. The walls drop almost vertically and reveal several zones of vegetation that extend down to the floor below.
The pit formed through slow dissolution of limestone over thousands of years. Scientists documented its existence for the first time during the 1990s when research teams mapped the region systematically.
The name Tiankeng translates to heavenly pit and is often used by visitors to describe the scale of the opening. Villagers nearby sometimes tell of mist rising from the depths that temporarily covers the walls completely.
The descent follows a staircase that winds down along the rock face and provides viewing points at several spots. Sturdy footwear is advisable because the steps can become slippery due to moisture.
An underground river flows at the bottom and turns into a waterfall over the rock edge during heavy rain. This river feeds a cave system that extends several kilometers beneath the surface.
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