Deep in China’s Guangxi region lies a breathtaking mystery: an ancient forest thriving inside a massive karst sinkhole. Discovered in 2022, China’s sinkhole forest stunned explorers who descended 192 meters to find magnificent trees reaching skyward from the depths. This hidden world exists in perfect isolation, a time capsule untouched by human hands. Scientists now race to study this unique ecosystem that offers rare glimpses into nature’s resilience and biodiversity.
Welcome to the Tiankeng
This isn’t your average hole in the ground. Interestingly, people call it a tiankeng (meaning “heavenly pit” in Chinese), and this giant sinkhole plunges more than 630 feet deep. You’ll find it near Ping’e village in Leye County, stretching about 1,004 feet in length and 492 feet in width. In fact, its volume exceeds 176 million cubic feet, making it large enough to swallow several city blocks. Additionally, this recent discovery brings Leye County’s total count of such formations to 30, confirming the region as a global hotspot for these geological wonders.
