Leye Craters

Located 460 kilometers northwest of Nanning (the capital city of Guangxi), Leye craters lie in the limestone mountains unknown to the outside world until 1998 after a geological survey launched by Ministry of Land and Resources. So far, scientists have found 20 big ones of different types in the area, the largest group in the world. Hence, Leye obtained the title of Dolines Museum. And a fossil cave was also discovered nearby. In 2002 a research team assembled by 50 members from 9 countries undertook a full exploration to these craters.

The deepest and most spacious crater is called Dashiwei with a capacity of 80 million cubic meters, 613 m in dept. It is home to more than 1000 varieties of plants and some cave creatures like blindfish, crab, shrimp and flying squirrel. Experts claim that the dolines in Leye are distinguished from all the others in terms of a well-supplied subterranean river and a dense forest underneath. Scientists have also found that the river consists of a hot current and a cold current, the reason is still a mystery .