The Puhua Underground River in Zhuoshui Scenic Area is about 20 kilometers away from the urban area and about 2 kilometers away from Zhuoshui Ancient Town. It integrates underground rivers, natural three bridges, skylights (tiankengs), karst caves and canyons. The landscape is charming and unique. Here, you can experience a three-day and two-night journey of exploration. This three-day and two-night journey will be a time travel of tens of thousands of years.
It will take you back to ancient times and let you see the wonders and unexpected things. The Puhua Underground River is a masterpiece of nature’s uncanny workmanship. It is the evolution history of water and time and the root of Tujia culture. There are three natural bridges about 200 meters high in the cave. These three natural bridges are connected one after another, turning the canyon into a bridge canyon and the cave into a bridge cave. The gap between the bridges forms a funnel. Looking at the funnel between each bridge from the boat, the sky becomes a ‘narrow strip of sky’ and is also shaped like a foot sole. The natural three bridges span over the underground river. The sunlight shines down from the natural bridge hole about 10 meters wide, making the river sparkle with scales. The boat sails under the bridge and people swim in the cave, presenting a unique flavor. Strange scenery in the underground river. After passing through the natural three bridges, you enter the underground river. The underground river is nearly 3 kilometers long. After walking about 1 kilometer, a terraced field appears. Some are formed by karst landforms and some are formed by stalactites. The terraced fields are crisscrossed in an orderly manner. After walking about 2 kilometers, a bright light appears in front. The bright light is shaped like the firewood chopper of the Tujia people. That is the exit of the underground river. Qingtan Three Tides. ‘Three Tides’ is located at the foot of Qilin Mountain. One side facing the mountain is a stone wall about 10 meters high, covered with dense vines. The other three sides are full of strange rocks. Around the pool are成片的 hemp willows. The dark green pool water is like a flat mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. There is no upstream water source for the pool. The outlet is a small stream about 2 meters wide and about 1 meter deep. After several twists and turns, it flows into Puhua River and then into Apeng River. It rises three times a day at dawn, noon and night. Thousands of swallows inhabit the underground river. Entering the canyon and walking about 100 meters, you will be blocked by a cliff about 200 meters high. Under the cliff is a large hole about 100 meters high. This hole is called ‘black hole’ by the locals and is also called underground river. The Puhua River flows out of the hole. The cave swallows inhabit in the stone holes in the cave. They go out to forage in the morning and evening. When the sun is strong, they rest in the cave. At night, they stay in the cave overnight.Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:30 to 16:30. Admission stops at 16:00.
Preferential policies: Children: Free for those under 1.2 meters in height or under 6 years old (inclusive); Half price for minors aged 6 (exclusive) to 18 years old (inclusive).
