description Xiaozhai Tiankeng Overview
Xiaozhai Tiankeng, located in Chongqing, China, is a massive collapse sinkhole known as a tiankeng. Measuring approximately 662 meters deep and 511 meters wide, it is recognized as one of the largest and deepest sinkholes in the world. The depression was formed by the continuous collapse of a subterranean river cave system over millions of years. Its isolated depth has allowed a unique ecosystem of vegetation to develop on the sinkhole floor, accessible via a stepped path for researchers and tourists.
insights Ranking position
Xiaozhai Tiankeng ranks #76 of 210 in the Karst ranking, behind Dachstein Karst, ahead of Yucatan Karst.
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Where exactly is the Xiaozhai Tiankeng sinkhole located?
The Xiaozhai Tiankeng is located in the Fengjie County of Chongqing Municipality, China. It sits within the Wulong Karst National Geology Park region, an area famous for its massive and ancient geological formations.
How deep and wide is the Xiaozhai Tiankeng?
It measures an astonishing 662 meters (2,172 feet) deep, making it the deepest tiankeng (giant sinkhole) in the world. The bowl-shaped depression spans about 622 meters across at its widest point, effectively hiding an entire subterranean forest.
Can tourists visit and hike inside the Xiaozhai Tiankeng?
Yes, tourists can visit the site via a developed staircase of roughly 2,800 steps that descends to the bottom. Hikers often take a several-hour trek down to see the underground rivers and rare plant life that thrive in the unique microclimate.
How was the Xiaozhai Tiankeng formed?
The sinkhole was formed over hundreds of thousands of years by the continuous erosion of underground rivers dissolving the underlying limestone bedrock. Eventually, the massive cave system's ceiling collapsed inward, creating the giant double-nested tiankeng seen today.
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