Guizhou's Shuanghe Cave in Suiyang has been named one of "China's Top 10 Caves."

From October 17 to 18, the "21st National Cave Academic Conference and the 3rd Council Meeting of the China Tourism Cave Alliance" was held at Shuanghe Cave National Geological Park in Suiyang County, Guizhou Province. The conference was jointly organized by the Cave Specialist Committee of the Geological Society of China and the China Tourism Cave Alliance, with co-organization from the UNESCO International Karst Research Center and the Guizhou Academy of Sciences. It was hosted by Guizhou Qingxi Lake Tourism Development Co., Ltd. and the Engineering Technology Research Center for the Development and Utilization of Karst Cave (Tourism) Resources in Guizhou Province. Attendees included Mr. Lu Yaoru, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Mr. Liu Tongliang, Director of the Institute of Karst Geology at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences; Mr. Chen Weihai, Secretary-General of the Cave Specialist Committee at the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences; researchers Zhang Shouyue and Jin Yuzhang from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor Wang Degang from Shandong University; Mr. Zhang Hongliang, Vice President of the Guizhou Academy of Sciences; and Jean Bottazzi, Secretary-General of the Youth Cave Diving Association under the French Cave Federation.

Shuanghe Cave has been chosen as the venue for this conference due to its diverse cave landscapes and immense scientific research value.

Shuanghe Cave, China’s longest cave, is a massive karst cave system formed within dolomite and dolomitic limestone. It comprises over 200 branching passages and features multiple underground dark rivers, making it the perfect venue for this year’s conference due to its diverse cave landscapes and exceptional scientific research potential. At the launch event for the Sino-French cave exploration initiative in April of this year, French explorer Jean Potet and his team unveiled their latest survey data, revealing that Shuanghe Cave has now been confirmed to stretch an impressive 186.33 kilometers—marking a new record for the longest explored cave in China. During their expedition, they even discovered fascinating finds such as the "flying elf cat," along with fossilized remains of saber-toothed elephants, pandas, and rhinoceroses. These remarkable discoveries underscore not only the cave’s immense tourist appeal but also its unparalleled value for scientific research. Exploration efforts are still ongoing, and there’s strong anticipation that Shuanghe Cave could soon claim the title of Asia’s longest cave.

Shuanghe Cave is also recognized as "the world's longest dolomite cave" and "the largest celestite cave in the world." In 2006, Shuanghe Cave was jointly selected by 32 urban media outlets, including the Global Times, as one of "China's 50 Most Worthwhile Destinations for Foreigners." Its unique features, diverse formations, and remarkable completeness have even earned it the nickname from CCTV—referred to as the "Karst Natural Cave Museum" and "China's Gateway to the Earth's Core."

During the conference, experts from the National Cave Academic Conference highly praised Shuanghe, noting that it now fully meets the criteria for a World Geopark. After visiting the Shuanghe National Geological Park, Mr. Liu Tongliang, Director of the Institute of Karst Geology at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, announced: "The 'Academician Workstation' of the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, will be established in Shuanghe."

It is understood that Shuanghe Cave National Geological Park is part of the "Twelve Behind" tourist scenic area. During its development, the park has adhered to the principle of "prioritizing conservation, with development coming second." As you explore the area, you’ll not only discover beautifully preserved cave landscapes but also immerse yourself in pristine, untouched natural scenery. And nestled within the park, the "Shuanghe Inn Resort" truly stands out as a breathtaking highlight.

The convening of this conference will not only facilitate the exchange of experiences in cave exploration, research, development, and conservation, thereby enhancing China’s scientific research capabilities in speleology, but also play a crucial role in guiding and advancing the development of Shuanghe Cave National Geological Park and its application for World Geopark status.