Unraveling the depths

Liu Dezhang, executive president of Guizhou Shier Beihou Tourism Development, explains, "Traditional cave development involves building walkways and installing lighting for tourists to sightsee the geological landscapes. However, the Shuanghe Cave scenic area has innovated cave tourism by developing outdoor sports events tailored to the features of different cave branches. For instance, in Yinhe Dong (Galaxy Cave), with its huge vertical shafts, we developed activities like abseiling and ziplining. There are no built walkways or lighting inside the cave; tourists wear custom clothing and equipment provided by us, and under the guidance of instructors, they enter the pristine caves for abseiling and exploration. The whole process is novel and exciting, especially popular among young people, outdoor enthusiasts and children."

In today's diverse and personalized tourism era, the quest for exciting and unique experiences is driving mainstream tourist demand. As a result, caves that have lain dormant for millions of years are being awakened, and a variety of niche yet highly engaging cave experiences are stimulating the public's adrenaline. The Shuanghe Cave scenic area is at the forefront, innovating with its "Cave+" tourism model to introduce new adventures.

As the Suiyang Integrated Media Center reported, Luo Jianjun, general manager of the Shuanghe Cave scenic area, shared, "In summer, we've leveraged 'Cave + Music' to enhance cave tourism, attracting visitors from afar. In winter, we pivot to cave tours and outdoor adventures, drawing winter camp study groups for educational and outdoor experiences, thus fully leveraging our cave tourism potential."