Guiyang Niche Adventure: Paddleboarding Cave Exploration Trip

I have always believed that the meaning of life lies in experiences. Feeling different cultural landscapes in unfamiliar cities. Outdoor travel has always been my preferred way of traveling. Whether it's hiking and camping or exploring the wilderness, It will always be my chosen chapter for exploring the unknown and getting close to nature. - Guizhou, this city's charm is rich and multifaceted. The first time I explored Guizhou, I was overwhelmed by the bustling popular attractions. On my second visit, I quietly enjoyed the ancient times of Zhaoxing Dong Village. With another two-day holiday, I set foot again in this treasure city of Guizhou. So I found an outdoor travel group and started a cave exploration trip. Each experience makes Guizhou's charm more vivid to me. - ✅ Qingzhen Shilong Cave in Guiyang ➡️ Shilong Cave is located in Xiahe Group, Guanyou Village, Maige Township, Qingzhen City, Guiyang. It is one of the largest limestone caves in the south and has been featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine. The cave's unique landscape includes rich stalactite formations, crystal-clear lake water, and calcified pools, adding a mysterious and enchanting touch to the cave. - ✅ Play Time ⏰ Cave exploration time: about 4 hours ⛰️ Cave exploration length: about 4 kilometers round trip - ✅ Cave Exploration Experience 1️⃣ First, change into wetsuits at the outdoor group base, receive food and waterproof phone bags, and take a small car to the cave entrance. After putting on life jackets and helmets, the paddleboarding coach will briefly introduce paddleboarding precautions, and the leader will lead warm-up exercises. - 2️⃣ It was my first time playing paddleboarding, and it was in a natural cave, to be honest, I was a bit scared. At first, I thought the entire cave exploration process was paddleboarding, but it was actually a combination of paddleboarding and stream trekking. - 3️⃣ Throughout the cave exploration, you don't have to paddle by yourself; the coach leads the way. Whether on the paddleboard or walking on the rocky stream, the coach patiently guides you. Switching between sitting on the paddleboard and walking back and forth is quite physically demanding. - 4️⃣ Traversing the deep and magnificent underground palace, it really feels like a tomb raiding adventure. The crystal-clear stream water is very refreshing. Along the way, you can see various natural stalactite formations. - 5️⃣ At the end, there are two emerald pools for photo ops, with turquoise water that looks like a giant blue gem. Under the coach's guidance, you can paddleboard on your own, and a photographer will help take pictures. - 6️⃣ After the cave exploration, the outdoor group will reward you with a Shilong Cave exploration medal as a souvenir, giving a full sense of ceremony, and then return to the base to change and wash up. - ✅ Other Information 1️⃣ Photos: Since it was inconvenient to carry a camera, the first few photos were taken by the photographer, and the rest were taken with a phone, so many photos are not clear. 2️⃣ Equipment: I brought my own quick-drying clothes and a pair of stream trekking shoes, while the rest of the cave exploration equipment was provided by the outdoor group. 3️⃣ Food and Drink: The outdoor group prepared a bottle of water, a piece of bread, and a Snickers bar, which will be consumed during the break at the emerald pool. 4️⃣ Safety: During the cave exploration, you cannot act alone. You need the coach or leader to demonstrate and guide you on how to stand on the paddleboard and swim.