Travel Guide to Guizhou's Zhijin Cave and Grand Canyon

Originally, our plan was just to indulge in food in Guiyang, but we were captivated by photos of Zhijin Cave! So, we set off immediately! We rented a car for the trip from Guiyang, which was much more convenient and flexible compared to joining a day tour that requires waking up early at 7 AM to catch a bus at the tourist center. We rented a domestic electric car for just 89 RMB per day, and it was delivered right to our hotel. On the day of the trip, we departed at 9 AM! The drive to Zhijin Scenic Area was about 100 kilometers. The first 30 kilometers from Guiyang were quite challenging due to poor road conditions—despite being a highway, there were motorcycles and electric scooters everywhere. However, the remaining 70 kilometers were much smoother, with fewer vehicles. The winding mountain roads made me feel like a skilled driver navigating through twists and turns. Upon arrival, we first visited the Grand Canyon and then Zhijin Cave. We bought tickets on-site, but purchasing them online in advance might offer discounts. An elevator took us straight down to the Grand Canyon, followed by a short walk. The scenic spots shown in photos 1, 2, and 3 are all located in the Grand Canyon. There are clear signs along the way indicating the best photo angles, and the restrooms are plentiful and clean, showing excellent planning for the area. After taking photos, we opted for a boat ride instead of walking along the boardwalk. The boat ride was slow and leisurely, taking us from a dimly lit cave to complete daylight. Although the water route is not very long, it was incredibly relaxing. Some people mentioned the water being dirty and the life jackets smelling bad, but I didn’t notice any of that once onboard—it was truly enjoyable. To visit Zhijin Cave, we took the scenic area’s shuttle bus. Since it was a weekday after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the area wasn’t crowded. At every stage, staff members were present to assist. After the boat ride, a shuttle bus promptly arrived to take us to Zhijin Cave. Exploring Zhijin Cave requires a certain level of physical stamina, so the relaxing experience at the Grand Canyon was a good way to conserve energy. Entering the subterranean world of Zhijin Cave was awe-inspiring, as the natural formations left us in constant amazement. Each stone pillar took hundreds of thousands of years to form. I was glad we added an extra day to our itinerary—Guizhou is more than just spicy food and herbs! The entire walk through Zhijin Cave takes about 1.5 hours. Initially, it was just the two of us, but halfway through, we encountered a group of about ten people resting. Near the exit, even more people were sitting and resting—it truly requires stamina. I must mention that the lighting in Zhijin Cave is exceptionally well-done, highlighting the rock formations beautifully without being overly colorful. For the return trip, we took a shuttle bus from Zhijin Cave to the visitor center, then transferred to another bus heading to the Grand Canyon parking lot. The transitions were seamless and smooth. For this trip, the car rental from Guiyang and back cost 89 RMB, and tickets for the Grand Canyon and Zhijin Cave were 200 RMB per person. Overall, I found this trip to be excellent—very flexible and perfectly timed to avoid crowds. While others typically finish their visit between 9 AM and 1:30 PM, we enjoyed a leisurely schedule, arriving at 11 AM and leaving at 3:30 PM, just in time to return to Guiyang for dinner.