九洞(dong)天(tian)是(shi)國務院(yuan)授予(yu)國家級重點風景名勝區之一(yi),是(shi)烏江干(gan)流六仲河(he)(he)(he)上(shang)游(you)流經(jing)兩縣之間的一(yi)段以伏(fu)流(當(dang)地人(ren)(ren)叫陰河(he)(he)(he))為代表的喀斯(si)特綜(zong)合地貌(mao)。該段伏(fu)流時隱時現,神奇(qi)莫測,形成(cheng)地下河(he)(he)(he),當(dang)地人(ren)(ren)稱瓜仲河(he)(he)(he),長(chang)約7公里,在下游(you)長(chang)約6公里的河(he)(he)(he)段上(shang),箱(xiang)形切割頂板多處(chu)塌陷,形成(cheng)了大(da)小不同(tong),形狀各異的天(tian)窗洞(dong)口(kou),使伏(fu)流明暗(an)交替,洞(dong)洞(dong)相連(lian),組合成(cheng)集伏(fu)流、峽(xia)谷(gu)、洞(dong)穴、天(tian)橋、天(tian)坑、及生(sheng)物化石為一(yi)體的雄奇(qi)瑰(gui)麗(li)的巖(yan)溶大(da)觀(guan)。
九洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)的第(di)一(yi)(yi)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)叫龍(long)口天(tian),又叫月(yue)宮(gong)天(tian),是(shi)一(yi)(yi)個寬敞的大(da)穿洞(dong)(dong)(dong)。洞(dong)(dong)(dong)高70至100余米(mi),面積1100平方米(mi),分前、中(zhong)、后三(san)廳,因九個洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)狀如一(yi)(yi)條(tiao)蒼龍(long),第(di)一(yi)(yi)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)如巨龍(long)張著(zhu)大(da)口,地下瀑(pu)布如巨龍(long)吞云吐霧而(er)得名。此洞(dong)(dong)(dong)鐘乳倒掛,石筍(sun)林(lin)立,石柱多處支撐,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)壁(bi)是(shi)黑(hei)亮(liang)黑(hei)亮(liang)的墨金(jin)玉大(da)理(li)石巖壁(bi),未(wei)經(jing)雕鑿,天(tian)然(ran)成趣,形成大(da)理(li)石宮(gong)殿,且壁(bi)上有石門(men),洞(dong)(dong)(dong)中(zhong)有石景(jing),而(er)此洞(dong)(dong)(dong)中(zhong)景(jing)點特色,突出在(zai):
一(yi)是(shi)進入(ru)洞口,有一(yi)道十余(yu)米寬(kuan)的(de)(de)(de)飛瀑從左洞壁(bi)的(de)(de)(de)半(ban)腰凌空飛下,在寬(kuan)敞高大(da)(da)的(de)(de)(de)洞口頂部,有一(yi)個很大(da)(da)的(de)(de)(de)圓形(xing)凹壁(bi),很象高高掛在天(tian)上的(de)(de)(de)月(yue)亮。白(bai)色鐘石長在青灰色的(de)(de)(de)洞頂上,如繁星(xing)點點,黃白(bai)相間(jian)的(de)(de)(de)石壁(bi)好似“天(tian)幕”襯托出這個圓形(xing)凹壁(bi),構成了“皓(hao)月(yue)當空”景觀,沿棧道幾(ji)曲幾(ji)拐,步(bu)入(ru)其間(jian)如入(ru)月(yue)宮漫步(bu)。從月(yue)宮俯瞰(kan)大(da)(da)廳,別具一(yi)翻(fan)風韻。
二是從前廳穿過中廳進入(ru)后廳,會聽到(dao)隆(long)隆(long)的(de)機(ji)聲與轟(hong)轟(hong)的(de)水聲共鳴,這就是斐聲中外(wai) 的(de)九洞天(tian)溶洞電(dian)(dian)站,也(ye)就是瓜仲河電(dian)(dian)站機(ji)房。這個(ge)電(dian)(dian)站裝機(ji)容(rong)量為2280千(qian)瓦(wa),配電(dian)(dian)系(xi)統全都擺(bai)在(zai)洞內(nei),發電(dian)(dian)的(de)水的(de)水也(ye)是從一(yi)(yi)個(ge)發電(dian)(dian)的(de)水也(ye)是從一(yi)(yi)個(ge)天(tian)然的(de)隧(sui)洞里引來的(de),這在(zai)世(shi)界上也(ye)是獨一(yi)(yi)無二的(de)。
第二(er)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)叫雷(lei)霆天(tian)(tian)。由溶(rong)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)電(dian)站的(de)后壁洞(dong)(dong)(dong)中走出,便(bian)(bian)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)見天(tian)(tian)光與山色,轟鳴聲(sheng)不絕于耳,此時便(bian)(bian)進入了二(er)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)。沿著一條新修的(de)曲欄往前走,跨過水(shui)流(liu)湍(tuan)急的(de)攔水(shui)壩,鉆過一道(dao)(dao)造(zao)(zao)型別致的(de)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)門,便(bian)(bian)進入一個(ge)(ge)峽(xia)谷(gu)地帶。兩道(dao)(dao)寬20余(yu)米(mi),高10余(yu)米(mi)的(de)瀑布遙相呼(hu)應,浪花飛濺,此時,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)外(wai)濤聲(sheng)恕吼(hou),洞(dong)(dong)(dong)內機聲(sheng)雷(lei)鳴,有雷(lei)霆萬鈞之(zhi)勢,故二(er)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)名(ming)雷(lei)霆天(tian)(tian)。兩道(dao)(dao)瀑布的(de)形成,是(shi)九洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)溶(rong)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)電(dian)站截流(liu)攔壩蓄水(shui)發(fa)電(dian),無(wu)意間塑(su)造(zao)(zao)出雙瀑和鳴這組傳(chuan)神景(jing)觀的(de),加上青(qing)山白巖相襯,藍天(tian)(tian)白云輝(hui)映(ying),形成了二(er)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)獨特的(de)個(ge)(ge)性(xing)。而且(qie),這里還有獨步天(tian)(tian)下的(de)“石頭開花”景(jing)觀,及其(qi)凄婉(wan)動人的(de)傳(chuan)說。
在峽谷中(zhong)那泓堤(di)壩圍成的深潭旁(pang)的巖(yan)壁上(shang)(shang),每年春夏之交,便會出(chu)現“石(shi)頭開花(hua)”景(jing)觀(guan)。據《大(da)定縣志(zhi)》記載:“瓜仲(zhong)河小渡口巖(yan)上(shang)(shang),每年四(si)月,值(zhi)雷雨之夕,必有蝴蝶數十萬于巖(yan)上(shang)(shang)孵卵。次日(ri)之,為五色花(hua)蕊,爛漫頻鋪。至端陽后,則伏(fu)藏不(bu)見。”在民間,“石(shi)頭開花(hua)馬生(sheng)角(jiao),扁擔出(chu)水羊唱歌(ge)”是比喻不(bu)可能出(chu)現的事情。而蝴蝶在九洞天巖(yan)壁上(shang)(shang)聚(ju)集(ji)成花(hua),顯示了世(shi)界的奇(qi)妙(miao)。
沿洞內棧(zhan)道“四十九道拐”可步行入三洞天(tian),也可從(cong)水(shui)路(lu)乘船(chuan)往三洞天(tian)“金光天(tian)”。
第三(san)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)名金(jin)光天(tian)(tian)。從二洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)壩中水(shui)上(shang),也可(ke)乘(cheng)船沿伏(fu)流(liu)(liu)進入第三(san)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)。金(jin)光天(tian)(tian)這段伏(fu)流(liu)(liu),水(shui)平如鏡,波瀾不興,借助洞(dong)(dong)內燈光,上(shang)觀變幻莫測(ce)的(de)洞(dong)(dong)頂(ding),下(xia)望幽深黯然(ran)(ran)的(de)伏(fu)流(liu)(liu),令人產生洞(dong)(dong)幽極玄的(de)感覺。船移洞(dong)(dong)通,豁然(ran)(ran)開朗。一縷(lv)陽(yang)光,從洞(dong)(dong)頂(ding)的(de)天(tian)(tian)坑中擠(ji)進洞(dong)(dong)來,投射出(chu)水(shui)面上(shang)的(de)粼粼波光,波光反射到巖壁上(shang),影射出(chu)陽(yang)光萬縷(lv),金(jin)光搖曳。這就是三(san)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)又名金(jin)光天(tian)(tian)的(de)得名緣故了。
第四洞天又名玉(yu)宇天,玉(yu)宇天的妙處,除具(ju)備水上(shang)特色外,還在(zai)于其溶洞三奇,沿棧道左側一(yi)洞口,進(jin)入(ru)一(yi)獨具(ju)規模溶洞,當地(di)人稱“小(xiao)石(shi)(shi)林”,又叫玲(ling)瓏(long)洞,洞小(xiao)而奇,集(ji)石(shi)(shi)筍、石(shi)(shi)柱、石(shi)(shi)鐘(zhong)乳一(yi)體,小(xiao)巧玲(ling)瓏(long),千姿百態,妙趣橫生(sheng),洞高2~3米(mi),洞深50米(mi)左右(you),于內游覽,如置身瓊樓玉(yu)宇,故此(ci)洞又名玉(yu)宇天。
第(di)(di)五洞天又名葫(hu)蘆天,第(di)(di)五洞天兩(liang)潭水(shui)面狀如(ru)葫(hu)蘆,故爾得名。此(ci)水(shui)面積達四千平方米,置(zhi)身其間,耳聞槳(jiang)櫓聲聲,眼見(jian)波光粼(lin)粼(lin),靜(jing)聽暗(an)瀑飛鳴(ming),不(bu)絕于(yu)耳。船(chuan)(chuan)只過此(ci),常順激流撲向(xiang)暗(an)洞,需船(chuan)(chuan)工奮力(li)劃槳(jiang),船(chuan)(chuan)才能拔正(zheng)方向(xiang),讓人驚心(xin)動魄,倍感刺激。此(ci)處(chu)接天洞沿上也有“石頭開(kai)花”景觀,當年那(nei)對(dui)癡情男女,據說便是(shi)從這一帶縱(zong)身殉(xun)情的,至今洞外尚留下荒(huang)墳兩(liang)座。
第六洞天名象王天,六洞天洞形狀若象立水中,故爾得名。一側洞口高大開闊,另一側與五洞天兩洞口相連。此處也有石頭開花景觀,配以洞形,蔚為壯觀。三、四(si)、五(wu)、六洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)相結,水(shui)(shui)相連,各自有通天洞(dong)(dong)(dong)與外界相通,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)頂距水(shui)(shui)面高(gao)約80米(mi),水(shui)(shui)面最寬處(chu)約60米(mi),最窄處(chu)只有30米(mi)。洞(dong)(dong)(dong)中石(shi)(shi)幔、石(shi)(shi)柱、石(shi)(shi)筍(sun)、石(shi)(shi)鐘乳形(xing)態萬千(qian),隨船(chuan)而動(dong),忽隱忽現,放眼洞(dong)(dong)(dong)壁(bi)半空棧(zhan)道上,人(ren)影晃動(dong),游客仿佛置身龍宮(gong)。
實(shi)際(ji)上,如果從(cong)二(er)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天開始乘船游覽,可以直達八洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天,這(zhe)段(duan)伏(fu)流(liu)水(shui)(shui)道近(jin)二(er)公(gong)里半,除有(you)幾處激流(liu)外,絕大(da)多數地段(duan)水(shui)(shui)流(liu)平穩,水(shui)(shui)面(mian)寬(kuan)闊(kuo)。可以輕(qing)舟(zhou)慢槳,隨波逐流(liu),沿途景致(zhi)也歷歷在目。“高坡(po)梯(ti)田(tian)”,層(ceng)層(ceng)疊(die)疊(die);“九天瀑布(bu)”,從(cong)天而降;石(shi)(shi)廊(lang)通(tong)道,曲折迂回(hui);河(he)心石(shi)(shi)磯(ji),虎踞龍盤。洞(dong)(dong)(dong)頂古(gu)藤(teng)老樹橫(heng)生斜插,奇山異石(shi)(shi)千姿(zi)百(bai)態,各種(zhong)化石(shi)(shi),比(bi)比(bi)皆(jie)是(shi),會讓人流(liu)連忘(wang)返。
第七洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)又名(ming)(ming)云霄(xiao)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian),七洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)名(ming)(ming)云霄(xiao)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian),來(lai)(lai)源于該洞(dong)(dong)壁(bi)右(you)側,有(you)(you)(you)一(yi)小洞(dong)(dong)口,進(jin)洞(dong)(dong)幾曲幾拐,豁然開朗,原來(lai)(lai)進(jin)入(ru)了一(yi)大洞(dong)(dong),洞(dong)(dong)中(zhong)有(you)(you)(you)碾有(you)(you)(you)灶,原來(lai)(lai)百多年前(qian),人們在這里(li)熬硝,當地人稱水(shui)硝洞(dong)(dong)。時至今日(ri),已無人操此道,但(dan)舊時工具等(deng)尚(shang)存。進(jin)洞(dong)(dong)口離河水(shui)百數米,只有(you)(you)(you)漲(zhang)水(shui)時才能進(jin)去,硝霄(xiao)諧音,加上(shang)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)壁(bi)部陡峭,巖燕(yan)在上(shang)做窩,蝙蝠在陰黑(hei)處(chu)棲息;巖燕(yan)出(chu)窩時振翅向上(shang),如沖霄(xiao)漢,翻飛掠影,直(zhi)出(chu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian),故此洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)得名(ming)(ming)云霄(xiao)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)。
八洞天又名寶藏天,八洞天名寶藏天,主要據說是因明代宣慰使安氏家族,在此藏有大量寶藏,故叫寶藏天。由(you)于溶洞(dong)電站的(de)石(shi)壩(ba)所攔截的(de)水面(mian)至六洞(dong)天就(jiu)到了水尾,剩下的(de)七(qi)洞(dong)天,八洞(dong)天內水流(liu)湍急(ji),就(jiu)現有條件,游客只能在洞(dong)內棧道(dao)上(shang)觀嘗七(qi)、八洞(dong)天。八洞天與六洞天由于塌陷(xian),洞口(kou)巨大(da),洞內(nei)洞外渾然一(yi)體,頂板猶(you)如兩個巨大(da)的鐵鍋反(fan)扣在(zai)河上,水(shui)洞、旱(han)洞、伏流,明暗相間(jian)。
洞(dong)高約80米(mi)(mi),洞(dong)闊達百米(mi)(mi)以上(shang),玲瓏(long)剔透,八面來風(feng),洞(dong)中巨石砥流,落石成岸,洞(dong)壁(bi)和洞(dong)頂上(shang)的“觀音坐蓮”、“猴子歸(gui)山”風(feng)景,巖(yan)溶造型逼真,令人目不暇(xia)接;八洞(dong)天三面絕壁(bi)環抱(bao)一(yi)泓碧水,另一(yi)面石壁(bi)上(shang)枝繁葉茂,時有小鳥飛鳴其間,回視(shi)河中停船,棧(zhan)道(dao)迂回,頓覺天低(di)洞(dong)闊,人穿行(xing)于奇(qi)洞(dong)異水之(zhi)間,樂不思(si)蜀。
三洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)至(zhi)(zhi)八(ba)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)洞(dong)(dong)中伏流水路至(zhi)(zhi)此約二(er)公里半(ban),至(zhi)(zhi)九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)尚(shang)有數(shu)百米伏流,因洞(dong)(dong)口石壁低垂直水面(mian),無法行(xing)船,一旦打開(kai)石壁,不但溯流可上第九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian),還將給八(ba)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)增加(jia)無數(shu)“奇珍異寶”。
第(di)九洞天又名仙人洞,也叫大觀(guan)天。
仙人(ren)洞,洞內寬(kuan)一(yi)平方公(gong)里,可容萬人(ren)以(yi)上(shang),奇觀(guan)罕美,勝其前八洞,是九洞中最精華的一(yi)個(ge)洞,緣自此(ci)景區內有(you)(you)座巖溶(rong)天(tian)生橋,天(tian)生橋上(shang)面陡(dou)峭險(xian)峻(jun)的半山腰(yao),有(you)(you)一(yi)個(ge)富有(you)(you)神奇傳說的仙人(ren)洞而(er)得名,當(dang)地人(ren)都習慣叫此(ci)處(chu)為仙人(ren)洞。此(ci)處(chu)景觀(guan)多而(er)集(ji)(ji)中且典型,集(ji)(ji)巖溶(rong)景致之(zhi)(zhi)大(da)觀(guan),故有(you)(you)大(da)觀(guan)天(tian)之(zhi)(zhi)名。主要有(you)(you):
天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao):出八洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)步(bu)行數百米,就(jiu)可以看到一座(zuo)巨大(da)的(de)(de)巖溶天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)飛(fei)架于兩側的(de)(de)懸崖峭壁(bi)間,橋(qiao)(qiao)高(gao)121米,頂厚124米,凈跨度96米,弧長160米,就(jiu)高(gao)大(da)而言,是國(guo)內迄今為止所發現的(de)(de)第二大(da)巖溶天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)。橋(qiao)(qiao)面(mian)可容千(qian)人,在此極目遠眺,流(liu)云飛(fei)渡,峰嶺逶迤,天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)蒼(cang)地(di)茫。我國(guo)西南地(di)區(qu)是典型的(de)(de)喀(ka)斯特地(di)區(qu),溶洞(dong)、峽谷多,天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)也很多,而九(jiu)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)卻是一座(zuo)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)展覽館,從(cong)三(san)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)到八洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)的(de)(de)河段(duan)上,是天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)窗和(he)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)的(de)(de)集(ji)中展現,個個天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)窗洞(dong)開,座(zuo)座(zuo)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)聳立(li);而第九(jiu)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)的(de)(de)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)高(gao)大(da)、空(kong)曠、雄(xiong)偉、壯觀,獨占九(jiu)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)的(de)(de)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)之首。
仙(xian)人洞:上(shang)(shang)(shang)述天生橋上(shang)(shang)(shang)面陡(dou)峭險峻(jun)的(de)半山腰,有一個富(fu)有神(shen)奇傳(chuan)說的(de)洞,當地人稱(cheng)仙(xian)人洞。早先,洞口下方(fang)五米處的(de)巖縫間長(chang)有兩(liang)根(gen)粗(cu)藤,順(shun)著巖縫垂(chui)下。據(ju)說安(an)家也在(zai)洞中藏金。安(an)家藏金時在(zai)藤上(shang)(shang)(shang)綁了軟梯,被(bei)稱(cheng)著仙(xian)人梯;因防止(zhi)人攀上(shang)(shang)(shang)去尋寶,兩(liang)根(gen)粗(cu)藤便被(bei)砍了。后來(lai),又有人用竹索編成軟梯上(shang)(shang)(shang)下,現在(zai)還能依稀可見(jian)殘跡。這(zhe)里有神(shen)秘色彩的(de)傳(chuan)說。
“神州赤壁(bi)”,透過(guo)天生橋(qiao)橋(qiao)洞看遠方,只見遠方赤色絕(jue)壁(bi)恰似一幅中(zhong)國(guo)地圖鑲嵌(qian)其中(zhong),構成了“神州赤壁(bi)”風景。
向上便是油菜河(he)(he)(he)(總溪河(he)(he)(he)下(xia)游是達那(nei)河(he)(he)(he),河(he)(he)(he)水(shui)到梯(ti)(ti)子(zi)巖后(hou)變成(cheng)伏(fu)(fu)流,過梯(ti)(ti)子(zi)巖后(hou)又(you)流出(chu)地(di)面此(ci)段當地(di)人叫它油菜河(he)(he)(he)),河(he)(he)(he)水(shui)咆哮奔騰(teng)到仙人洞(dong)旁的峽谷中,倏然不見(jian),只留下(xia)巨石若干在(zai)峽谷中,如(ru)云堆砌,如(ru)山(shan)險峻。原(yuan)來水(shui)到此(ci)處(chu),流入巖底,變為暗(an)河(he)(he)(he),“伏(fu)(fu)流在(zai)此(ci)深(shen)藏地(di)下(xia),僅(jin)在(zai)橋孔(kong)下(xia)有一幽深(shen)洞(dong)口,窺見(jian)水(shui)靜如(ru)潭(tan),不知幾(ji)闊,不知多(duo)深(shen)。”這就是第(di)九洞(dong)天。
月(yue)亮湖:沿絕壁(bi)出大觀天前行300米(mi)左右,即(ji)到伏(fu)流(liu)出冥的(de)新月(yue)型(xing)峽(xia)谷,峽(xia)谷深(shen)約(yue)200米(mi),長(chang)約(yue)1000米(mi),河(he)床海(hai)拔1170米(mi),一側赤色絕壁(bi)即(ji)“神州赤壁(bi)”崖面,河(he)流(liu)兩端為伏(fu)流(liu)進出水洞,此段水域即(ji)油菜河(he),洪水期(qi)間消漲不及(ji),河(he)水上漲形(xing)成新月(yue)型(xing)湖面,即(ji)月(yue)亮湖。
梯子(zi)(zi)巖:過(guo)月亮(liang)湖即到伏流洞(dong)頂(ding)(ding)之(zhi)上(shang)的(de)萬(wan)仞絕(jue)(jue)(jue)壁(bi),絕(jue)(jue)(jue)壁(bi)鑿石級驛道(dao),為明洪武年間彝族(zu)首領奢香夫(fu)人(ren)所開九驛之(zhi)一(yi)(yi);沿石級下到絕(jue)(jue)(jue)壁(bi)腳下,是一(yi)(yi)個(ge)小(xiao)(xiao)村(cun)寨,因巖而得名,也叫梯子(zi)(zi)巖。梯子(zi)(zi)巖距仙人(ren)洞(dong)約為二公(gong)里(li)。這(zhe)里(li)是一(yi)(yi)片魚盤(pan)形的(de)開闊地,周圍的(de)高山峭壁(bi),把這(zhe)里(li)圍成了一(yi)(yi)個(ge)橢圓形小(xiao)(xiao)盆地。原來(lai)出(chu)入外(wai)界,均靠陡險石梯。走過(guo)梯子(zi)(zi)巖站立伏流洞(dong)頂(ding)(ding),只見河流逶迤而來(lai),至此不見蹤(zong)跡。遠處是達那(nei)渡口,沿河絕(jue)(jue)(jue)壁(bi)上(shang)已開鑿出(chu)一(yi)(yi)條公(gong)路,將納雍縣(xian)化作鄉與(yu)大(da)方縣(xian)貓(mao)場鎮連接起來(lai),梯子(zi)(zi)巖天險已成往昔。
這里(li)因是(shi)小盆(pen)地,氣(qi)候得(de)天獨厚,冬無(wu)(wu)嚴寒,夏(xia)無(wu)(wu)酷暑,四(si)季如春(chun)。時令水果,長年不斷(duan)。
這(zhe)里綠樹(shu)成蔭,灌木成形,枯藤老(lao)樹(shu),修竹無數,掩映著一個個形狀各異的(de)(de)小(xiao)石林,星羅棋(qi)布(bu)的(de)(de)坐(zuo)落(luo)在大(da)片活土中的(de)(de)小(xiao)丘上,狀如天然盆(pen)景。
這里依山傍石(shi),憑借大(da)樹,座落(luo)著(zhu)間間老式農舍,其間居住著(zhu)貴州省唯一的一個族(zu)種(zhong)類——紅(hong)線苗族(zu)。
這里有(you)古驛道(dao)。明朝洪武年間(jian)奢香夫人所開九(jiu)驛之(zhi)一,歷史上由滇(dian)入黔的重要通(tong)(tong)道(dao),南北向的從這里通(tong)(tong)過,至今梯子巖南面和北面的絕(jue)壁(bi)上,都有(you)鑿石而成的梯狀路,這就(jiu)是古驛道(dao)。
此路后人幾經修補(bu)(bu),導致至今尤存(cun)。在梯子(zi)巖(yan)南面絕(jue)壁石(shi)梯路上,尚存(cun)一(yi)碑(bei),為清光緒十三年(nian)(1888年(nian))補(bu)(bu)修記(ji)載(zai)。另有一(yi)碑(bei)已(yi)被破壞,殘碑(bei)半截(jie),散落當地農戶(hu)家中,已(yi)無立碑(bei)年(nian)月(yue),無從考證。碑(bei)址痕(hen)尚存(cun)。
畢節有直接抵達景區的班車。若從(cong)貴陽(yang)出發,則乘(cheng)2路公交車到西客站。13:50有一班車到大方。
游覽(lan)九洞天時,可走(zou)水泥路面修建的棧(zhan)道,也可行船走(zou)水路。
九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天風景區(qu)位于大方縣(xian)城(cheng)以西(xi)(東經105°15′47″—106°08′04″,北(bei)緯(wei)26°50′20″—27°36′04″),離大方縣(xian)城(cheng)60公(gong)里,離納雍縣(xian)城(cheng)50公(gong)里。“九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天”是一個由水旱溶(rong)洞(dong)(dong)、伏流、天橋、石林、懸(xuan)崖、絕壁、峰叢幽谷等組成(cheng)的(de)(de)規模宏偉(wei)的(de)(de)天然(ran)風景群。總(zong)(zong)長20余公(gong)里,總(zong)(zong)面積約(yue)80平方公(gong)里,平均海(hai)拔1200米。氣(qi)(qi)候溫和,年(nian)平均氣(qi)(qi)溫11.8℃,屬溫暖帶濕潤(run)季風氣(qi)(qi)候。“九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天”為整個景區(qu)的(de)(de)精華,由九(jiu)個通天大洞(dong)(dong)和幾個暗湖、溶(rong)洞(dong)(dong)組成(cheng),烏(wu)江水系上(shang)游六仲河水穿洞(dong)(dong)而過,流程長2000米。是集古、奇、秀、險、幽為一體(ti)的(de)(de)自然(ran)景觀。
九洞天景區屬于滇東高原黔北臺(tai)隆畢節市北東及西南走向構造變(bian)形結合部,巖(yan)石(shi)主要為二(er)迭系石(shi)灰巖(yan)。河(he)谷為巖(yan)溶箱形深切割峽谷,巖(yan)壁接近90°,景區內分布(bu)有(you)溶蝕(shi)旱洞,伏流洞穴,溶蝕(shi)塌陷等喀(ka)斯特典型(xing)地(di)貌(mao)。兩岸懸(xuan)崖峭(qiao)壁上有(you)眾多常年(nian)性和季(ji)節性瀑布(bu)、冒泉(quan),河(he)流漲落受(shou)季(ji)節影(ying)響變(bian)化較大。
九洞(dong)天(tian)景區覆(fu)蓋(gai)土(tu)(tu)壤主(zhu)要(yao)為地帶性土(tu)(tu)壤小黃泥(ni)、巖(yan)性土(tu)(tu)褐色石(shi)(shi)灰土(tu)(tu),PH值(zhi)5.5—7.1。河谷(gu)(gu)兩側(ce)附近(jin)土(tu)(tu)層較(jiao)(jiao)薄,石(shi)(shi)灰石(shi)(shi)裸露(lu)較(jiao)(jiao)多,離河谷(gu)(gu)較(jiao)(jiao)遠土(tu)(tu)層較(jiao)(jiao)厚(hou)。景區植被(bei)良好,主(zhu)要(yao)野(ye)生喬、灌木有(you)樟樹(shu)(shu)、楓樹(shu)(shu)、樺樹(shu)(shu)、桑樹(shu)(shu)、青杠、思(si)栗、松、杉、及(ji)(ji)合歡、巖(yan)哨子、紅子刺、毛(mao)竹、殼斗科植物(wu)等(deng)(deng);另有(you)藤木植物(wu)和蕨類。野(ye)生動物(wu)主(zhu)要(yao)有(you)猴(hou)、獐、黃鼠狼和蛇及(ji)(ji)各種水鳥等(deng)(deng),河谷(gu)(gu)是野(ye)鴨越冬地,溶洞(dong)中有(you)巖(yan)燕和蝙蝠棲息,河水中主(zhu)要(yao)生長紅嘴細鱗魚、黃蠟丁魚等(deng)(deng)。
1987年(nian),國際巖(yan)溶(rong)專家、牛(niu)津(jin)大學博士威廉姆斯考察后評(ping)為世(shi)界(jie)之(zhi)首的景觀,全世(shi)界(jie)只有南斯拉夫可以(yi)與之(zhi)相媲美,因而被譽(yu)為“中國巖(yan)溶(rong)百(bai)科全書(shu)”、“喀(ka)斯特地質博物館(guan)” [2-6] ?。
1989年,九洞天(tian)與黃(huang)果樹瀑布一道被評為貴州省十大風(feng)景名勝(sheng)區之一。
2004年,九洞(dong)天(tian)被(bei)國務院批為國家級重點風景名勝區(qu)。
2008年9月,九洞天(tian)在廣(guang)州(zhou)深圳(zhen)被國際旅游組(zu)織團(tuan)評為中國最具有(you)影響(xiang)力的十大旅游景(jing)區之一。
2009年4月在(zai)海南(nan)世界旅游精英(ying)博鰲峰會上,被組委會授予“國際王牌旅游景區”稱號。