Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant rocks, such as quartzite, given the right conditions. Subterranean drainage may limit surface water, with few to no rivers or lakes. However, in regions where the dissolved bedrock is covered or confined by one or more superimposed non-soluble rock strata, distinctive karst features may occur only at subsurface levels and can be totally missing above ground.
A sinkhole is a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer. The term is sometimes used to refer to doline, enclosed depressions that are locally also known as vrtače and shakeholes, and to openings where surface water enters into underground passages known as ponor, swallow hole or swallet. A cenote is a type of sinkhole that exposes groundwater underneath. A sink or stream sink are more general terms for sites that drain surface water, possibly by infiltration into sediment or crumbled rock.
Hạ Long Bay or Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular travel destination in Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam. The name Hạ Long means "descending dragon". Administratively, the bay belongs to Hạ Long city, Cẩm Phả city, and is a part of Vân Đồn District. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various shapes and sizes. Ha Long Bay is a center of a larger zone which includes Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast, and Cát Bà Island to the southwest. These larger zones share a similar geological, geographical, geomorphological, climate, and cultural characters.
Yangshuo County is a county under the jurisdiction of Guilin City, in the northeast of Guangxi, China. Its seat is located in Yangshuo Town. Surrounded by karst peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River it is easily accessible by bus or by boat from nearby Guilin.
The Li River or Li Jiang is the name for the upper reaches of the Gui River in northwestern Guangxi, China. It is part of the Xijiang River system in the Pearl River Basin. The river flows 164 kilometres (102 mi) from Xing'an County to Pingle County, where the karst mountains and river sights highlight the famous Li River cruise.
Seven-star Cave is an extensive limestone cave complex in Seven-star Park, both of which are popular tourist attractions in the city of Guilin in Guangxi Autonomous Region in China. The name derives from the fact the main karst limestone peaks form roughly the same pattern as the stars of the Big Dipper constellation. The earliest exploration of Seven-star Cave dates back to the Tang dynasty, about 1,300 years ago. The name can also be rendered Seven Stars Cave, Cave of Seven Stars, etc.
Yizhou, formerly Yishan County (宜山县), is a district under the administration of Hechi City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
The François' langur, also known as the Francois' leaf monkey, Tonkin leaf monkey, or white side-burned black langur is a species of lutung and the type species of its species group. It is one of the least studied of the species belonging to the Colobinae subfamily.
The South China Karst, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2007, spans the provinces of Chongqing, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan. It is noted for its karst features and landscapes as well as rich biodiversity. The site comprises seven clusters Phase I: Libo Karst, Shilin Karst, and Wulong Karst inscribed in 2007, and Phase II: Guilin Karst, Shibing Karst, Jinfoshan Karst, and Huanjiang Karst inscribed in 2014. UNESCO describes the South China Karst as "unrivalled in terms of the diversity of its karst features and landscapes."
The Stone Forest or Shilin is a notable set of limestone formations about 500 km2 located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, near Shilin approximately 90 km (56 mi) from the provincial capital Kunming.
The Nonggang babbler is a recently described species of bird in the family Timaliidae.
Fengshan County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Hechi City.
The limestone leaf warbler is a species of warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. When this species was first seen, beginning in 1994, it was mistaken for the similar sulphur-breasted warbler. It is smaller than the sulphur-breasted warbler, and has more rounded wings. The plumage is almost identical, with comparisons showing only a slightly colder yellow below and a greyer tinge above. Although smaller, the bill is proportionally larger than that of the sulphur-breasted warbler. Accurate measurements are not available; the holotype has a wing length of 5.2 centimetres (2.0 in); the paratype a tail length of 3.7 centimetres (1.5 in) and a bill length of 1.39 centimetres (0.55 in). The species is known to occur in northern Vietnam and Laos, and potentially also occurs in southern China as well. The species name, calciatilis, means "dwelling on limestone", which along with its common name is a reference to its natural habitat, which is broadleaved evergreen and semi-evergreen forest growing around limestone karst mountains. The bare-faced bulbul, described in 2009, was found in the karst of the same region.
Jinfo Shan, the highest peak of Dalou Mountains, located in the upper reach of the Yangtze River, is situated in Nanchuan District, the Municipality of Chongqing. Jinfo Shan is an isolated mountain with cliffs up to 300 m surrounding its relatively flat top. Its major vegetation types include subtropical broadleaf forest, coniferous forests and subalpine meadow. Besides typical karst topography of gorges, stone forests and cave systems, Jinfo Shan is well known for its exceptional plant diversity of 4768 seed plants. The area may also be home to some of the few naturally occurring populations of Ginkgo biloba. It is also a refuge to endangered animals confined to karst regions such as Francois' Langur . With its outstanding karst features and superb biodiversity, Jinfo Shan was listed as a tentative World Heritage site in 2001, and in 2014, the site was added as an extension to the South China Karst World Heritage Site.
Pilea cavernicola is a herbaceous plant about 0.5 meters tall, native to China. A sciophyte, it grows in very low light conditions in caves in Fengshan County, Guangxi, China.
Gracixalus nonggangensis is a species of shrub frog found in southern Guangxi, China, and Cao Bang Province in northern Vietnam.
Petrocodon laxicymosus is a species of plant first found in limestone karsts of Guangxi, China. It is similar to Petrocodon coriaceifolius, differing in the texture, size and shape of its leaves; the size and pubescence of its inflorescence and corolla; the shape of its anther; and length of its pistil.
Petrocodon longgangensis is a species of plant first found in limestone karsts of Guangxi, China. It is similar to Petrocodon coriaceifolius, differing in the texture, size and shape of its leaves; the size and pubescence of its inflorescence and corolla; the shape of its anther; and length of its pistil.
Petrocodon albinervius is a species of flowering plant in the genus Petrocodon found in limestone areas in southwestern Guangxi.
Illicium difengpi is an evergreen shrub, belonging to the family Schisandraceae. It is endemic to the southwestern region of China, mainly in the Guangxi province. The plant is best known for its medicinal properties, but it is also highly valued for its scientific, ecological, and ornamental value. Today, the species is highly protected and researched to conserve its wild populations.
