九洞(dong)天(tian)是國務院授予國家級重點風景(jing)名勝區(qu)之(zhi)一,是烏江干流(liu)六仲(zhong)河(he)(he)上(shang)游(you)流(liu)經(jing)兩縣之(zhi)間的(de)一段(duan)以伏流(liu)(當地人(ren)叫陰河(he)(he))為代表的(de)喀(ka)斯(si)特(te)綜合地貌。該段(duan)伏流(liu)時(shi)(shi)隱時(shi)(shi)現,神奇莫測,形成(cheng)(cheng)地下河(he)(he),當地人(ren)稱瓜仲(zhong)河(he)(he),長約(yue)7公里(li),在下游(you)長約(yue)6公里(li)的(de)河(he)(he)段(duan)上(shang),箱形切割頂板多(duo)處(chu)塌陷,形成(cheng)(cheng)了大小不同(tong),形狀各(ge)異的(de)天(tian)窗洞(dong)口(kou),使伏流(liu)明暗交(jiao)替(ti),洞(dong)洞(dong)相連,組(zu)合成(cheng)(cheng)集(ji)伏流(liu)、峽谷(gu)、洞(dong)穴、天(tian)橋、天(tian)坑(keng)、及生(sheng)物化(hua)石為一體的(de)雄奇瑰麗的(de)巖(yan)溶大觀。
九(jiu)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)的第一(yi)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)叫龍口天(tian)(tian)(tian),又叫月宮天(tian)(tian)(tian),是(shi)一(yi)個(ge)寬敞的大(da)(da)穿洞(dong)。洞(dong)高70至100余米,面積1100平方米,分(fen)前、中、后三(san)廳,因(yin)九(jiu)個(ge)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)狀如(ru)一(yi)條(tiao)蒼龍,第一(yi)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)如(ru)巨龍張著大(da)(da)口,地下瀑布如(ru)巨龍吞云吐霧而得名。此洞(dong)鐘乳(ru)倒掛(gua),石(shi)(shi)(shi)筍(sun)林(lin)立,石(shi)(shi)(shi)柱多處支撐(cheng),洞(dong)壁(bi)是(shi)黑亮黑亮的墨金玉大(da)(da)理(li)(li)石(shi)(shi)(shi)巖壁(bi),未經雕鑿,天(tian)(tian)(tian)然(ran)成趣(qu),形成大(da)(da)理(li)(li)石(shi)(shi)(shi)宮殿,且壁(bi)上有石(shi)(shi)(shi)門(men),洞(dong)中有石(shi)(shi)(shi)景,而此洞(dong)中景點特(te)色(se),突出在:
一(yi)是(shi)進入(ru)洞口,有(you)一(yi)道十余米寬的(de)飛瀑從左(zuo)洞壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)的(de)半腰凌空飛下,在寬敞高大的(de)洞口頂部,有(you)一(yi)個很(hen)大的(de)圓形(xing)凹(ao)壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi),很(hen)象高高掛(gua)在天上的(de)月亮。白(bai)色鐘石(shi)長(chang)在青灰色的(de)洞頂上,如(ru)繁星點點,黃白(bai)相間(jian)的(de)石(shi)壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)好似(si)“天幕”襯托(tuo)出這個圓形(xing)凹(ao)壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi),構成了“皓月當空”景觀,沿棧道幾(ji)曲(qu)幾(ji)拐,步入(ru)其間(jian)如(ru)入(ru)月宮(gong)(gong)漫(man)步。從月宮(gong)(gong)俯瞰大廳,別具一(yi)翻(fan)風韻。
二(er)是(shi)(shi)從前廳(ting)穿過(guo)中廳(ting)進入后廳(ting),會聽到(dao)隆隆的(de)(de)機(ji)聲(sheng)與轟轟的(de)(de)水(shui)聲(sheng)共(gong)鳴,這(zhe)就(jiu)是(shi)(shi)斐聲(sheng)中外(wai) 的(de)(de)九洞(dong)(dong)天溶洞(dong)(dong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)站,也就(jiu)是(shi)(shi)瓜仲河電(dian)(dian)(dian)站機(ji)房。這(zhe)個電(dian)(dian)(dian)站裝機(ji)容量為2280千瓦,配電(dian)(dian)(dian)系統全都擺在洞(dong)(dong)內,發(fa)電(dian)(dian)(dian)的(de)(de)水(shui)的(de)(de)水(shui)也是(shi)(shi)從一個發(fa)電(dian)(dian)(dian)的(de)(de)水(shui)也是(shi)(shi)從一個天然的(de)(de)隧(sui)洞(dong)(dong)里引來(lai)的(de)(de),這(zhe)在世界上也是(shi)(shi)獨一無二(er)的(de)(de)。
第二(er)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天叫雷(lei)(lei)霆天。由溶洞(dong)(dong)(dong)電站的(de)后壁洞(dong)(dong)(dong)中(zhong)走出(chu),便(bian)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)見天光與山色(se),轟鳴聲不(bu)絕于耳,此時(shi)便(bian)進入了(le)二(er)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天。沿著一條新修的(de)曲欄(lan)往(wang)前走,跨過(guo)水流湍急的(de)攔水壩,鉆過(guo)一道(dao)造型(xing)別致的(de)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)門(men),便(bian)進入一個(ge)峽(xia)谷(gu)地(di)帶。兩道(dao)寬20余米(mi)(mi),高10余米(mi)(mi)的(de)瀑(pu)(pu)布遙(yao)相呼應,浪花飛濺,此時(shi),洞(dong)(dong)(dong)外(wai)濤聲恕吼,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)內機(ji)聲雷(lei)(lei)鳴,有雷(lei)(lei)霆萬(wan)鈞之勢(shi),故二(er)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天名(ming)雷(lei)(lei)霆天。兩道(dao)瀑(pu)(pu)布的(de)形成,是九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天溶洞(dong)(dong)(dong)電站截流攔壩蓄水發電,無(wu)意間(jian)塑造出(chu)雙瀑(pu)(pu)和鳴這組傳(chuan)神景觀(guan)的(de),加上青山白(bai)巖相襯,藍天白(bai)云輝映(ying),形成了(le)二(er)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天獨特(te)的(de)個(ge)性。而且,這里還(huan)有獨步天下的(de)“石頭開花”景觀(guan),及其凄婉動人的(de)傳(chuan)說。
在(zai)峽谷中那泓(hong)堤壩(ba)圍成的(de)深潭旁(pang)的(de)巖壁(bi)上,每(mei)年(nian)春夏之(zhi)交(jiao),便會出(chu)現“石頭開(kai)(kai)花(hua)(hua)”景觀。據《大(da)定縣志》記載:“瓜仲河小渡口巖上,每(mei)年(nian)四(si)月(yue),值雷雨(yu)之(zhi)夕,必有蝴蝶數十萬(wan)于巖上孵卵。次(ci)日之(zhi),為五色花(hua)(hua)蕊,爛漫頻鋪。至端陽后(hou),則伏藏不見。”在(zai)民間,“石頭開(kai)(kai)花(hua)(hua)馬(ma)生角,扁擔(dan)出(chu)水(shui)羊唱歌”是(shi)比喻不可能出(chu)現的(de)事情(qing)。而(er)蝴蝶在(zai)九洞(dong)天巖壁(bi)上聚(ju)集成花(hua)(hua),顯示了(le)世界的(de)奇妙(miao)。
沿洞(dong)內棧道“四十九道拐”可(ke)步行(xing)入(ru)三洞(dong)天(tian),也可(ke)從水路乘(cheng)船往三洞(dong)天(tian)“金光天(tian)”。
第三(san)洞(dong)天(tian)名(ming)金(jin)光天(tian)。從二洞(dong)天(tian)壩中(zhong)水(shui)上,也可(ke)乘船沿伏流進入第三(san)洞(dong)天(tian)。金(jin)光天(tian)這段伏流,水(shui)平如鏡,波(bo)(bo)瀾(lan)不興,借助(zhu)洞(dong)內燈光,上觀(guan)變幻莫測的(de)洞(dong)頂,下望幽(you)深黯然的(de)伏流,令人產生洞(dong)幽(you)極玄(xuan)的(de)感覺。船移洞(dong)通(tong),豁然開朗。一縷陽光,從洞(dong)頂的(de)天(tian)坑中(zhong)擠進洞(dong)來,投射(she)出水(shui)面上的(de)粼(lin)粼(lin)波(bo)(bo)光,波(bo)(bo)光反射(she)到巖壁(bi)上,影(ying)射(she)出陽光萬(wan)縷,金(jin)光搖曳。這就是三(san)洞(dong)天(tian)又名(ming)金(jin)光天(tian)的(de)得名(ming)緣故了。
第四洞天(tian)又(you)名玉(yu)宇(yu)天(tian),玉(yu)宇(yu)天(tian)的妙處,除(chu)具(ju)備水上特色外,還在于其溶洞三(san)奇,沿棧道(dao)左側一(yi)洞口,進入一(yi)獨具(ju)規模(mo)溶洞,當地人(ren)稱“小(xiao)石(shi)林(lin)”,又(you)叫(jiao)玲瓏洞,洞小(xiao)而奇,集石(shi)筍、石(shi)柱、石(shi)鐘乳一(yi)體(ti),小(xiao)巧(qiao)玲瓏,千姿百態,妙趣(qu)橫(heng)生,洞高(gao)2~3米(mi),洞深50米(mi)左右,于內游覽,如(ru)置身瓊(qiong)樓玉(yu)宇(yu),故此洞又(you)名玉(yu)宇(yu)天(tian)。
第五(wu)(wu)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)又名葫(hu)蘆天(tian)(tian),第五(wu)(wu)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)兩潭(tan)水面(mian)狀(zhuang)如葫(hu)蘆,故(gu)爾得名。此(ci)水面(mian)積達(da)四(si)千平方(fang)米(mi),置身其(qi)間(jian),耳(er)聞(wen)槳櫓聲聲,眼見波光粼粼,靜聽暗(an)瀑飛(fei)鳴,不絕于耳(er)。船(chuan)(chuan)只過此(ci),常(chang)順(shun)激流撲向暗(an)洞(dong),需(xu)船(chuan)(chuan)工奮力劃槳,船(chuan)(chuan)才(cai)能拔正方(fang)向,讓(rang)人驚心動魄,倍感刺(ci)激。此(ci)處(chu)接(jie)天(tian)(tian)洞(dong)沿上也有“石頭開花”景觀,當年(nian)那對(dui)癡(chi)情男(nan)女,據(ju)說便是從這一帶縱身殉情的,至(zhi)今洞(dong)外尚留下荒墳(fen)兩座。
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、五、六洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)相(xiang)(xiang)結(jie),水(shui)(shui)相(xiang)(xiang)連,各自有(you)通(tong)天洞(dong)(dong)(dong)與外(wai)界相(xiang)(xiang)通(tong),洞(dong)(dong)(dong)頂距(ju)水(shui)(shui)面高(gao)約80米(mi)(mi),水(shui)(shui)面最寬(kuan)處約60米(mi)(mi),最窄處只有(you)30米(mi)(mi)。洞(dong)(dong)(dong)中石幔、石柱、石筍、石鐘乳(ru)形態萬千,隨(sui)船而動(dong),忽(hu)隱(yin)忽(hu)現,放眼洞(dong)(dong)(dong)壁半空棧道上,人(ren)影晃動(dong),游客仿佛置身龍(long)宮。
實際上,如(ru)果從二(er)洞天(tian)開始乘船游覽,可以直達八洞天(tian),這段(duan)伏流(liu)(liu)(liu)水(shui)道近二(er)公里(li)半,除(chu)有幾處激流(liu)(liu)(liu)外,絕大多(duo)數地(di)段(duan)水(shui)流(liu)(liu)(liu)平穩,水(shui)面(mian)寬闊(kuo)。可以輕(qing)舟(zhou)慢槳,隨(sui)波逐流(liu)(liu)(liu),沿途景致(zhi)也歷(li)(li)歷(li)(li)在目。“高(gao)坡梯田”,層層疊(die)疊(die);“九(jiu)天(tian)瀑布”,從天(tian)而(er)降;石(shi)廊通道,曲折(zhe)迂(yu)回;河心石(shi)磯,虎踞龍盤。洞頂古藤老樹(shu)橫生(sheng)斜插,奇山異石(shi)千姿百態,各種化石(shi),比比皆是,會讓人流(liu)(liu)(liu)連(lian)忘返。
第(di)七洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)又名云霄(xiao)天(tian)(tian),七洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)名云霄(xiao)天(tian)(tian),來源于該洞(dong)(dong)壁右(you)側(ce),有一小洞(dong)(dong)口,進(jin)洞(dong)(dong)幾曲(qu)幾拐,豁然開(kai)朗,原來進(jin)入了一大洞(dong)(dong),洞(dong)(dong)中有碾(nian)有灶,原來百(bai)多(duo)年(nian)前,人們在這里熬硝(xiao),當(dang)地人稱(cheng)水硝(xiao)洞(dong)(dong)。時(shi)至今(jin)日,已無人操此道,但(dan)舊時(shi)工具等尚存。進(jin)洞(dong)(dong)口離(li)河水百(bai)數米,只有漲(zhang)水時(shi)才能進(jin)去,硝(xiao)霄(xiao)諧音,加上洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)壁部陡峭,巖燕(yan)在上做窩(wo)(wo),蝙(bian)蝠在陰黑處(chu)棲息;巖燕(yan)出(chu)窩(wo)(wo)時(shi)振翅向上,如沖霄(xiao)漢(han),翻(fan)飛掠影,直出(chu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian),故(gu)此洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)得名云霄(xiao)天(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。由于溶洞(dong)電站的(de)石壩所(suo)攔(lan)截的(de)水面至六洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)就到了水尾,剩下(xia)的(de)七(qi)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian),八(ba)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)內(nei)(nei)水流湍急,就現有條(tiao)件,游客只能在洞(dong)內(nei)(nei)棧道上觀嘗(chang)七(qi)、八(ba)洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)。八洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)與六洞(dong)(dong)(dong)天(tian)由(you)于塌陷(xian),洞(dong)(dong)(dong)口巨大,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)內洞(dong)(dong)(dong)外渾然一(yi)體,頂板猶如兩個巨大的(de)鐵鍋反扣(kou)在河上,水洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、旱(han)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、伏流,明暗相間。
洞(dong)高(gao)約80米,洞(dong)闊(kuo)達百米以(yi)上(shang),玲瓏剔(ti)透,八面(mian)來(lai)風(feng),洞(dong)中巨(ju)石(shi)砥流,落石(shi)成岸,洞(dong)壁(bi)和洞(dong)頂上(shang)的(de)“觀音坐蓮”、“猴子歸山(shan)”風(feng)景,巖溶(rong)造型逼真,令人目不暇(xia)接;八洞(dong)天三面(mian)絕(jue)壁(bi)環抱一泓碧水(shui),另一面(mian)石(shi)壁(bi)上(shang)枝(zhi)繁(fan)葉(xie)茂,時有小(xiao)鳥飛鳴其間(jian),回視(shi)河中停船,棧(zhan)道迂回,頓覺天低洞(dong)闊(kuo),人穿行于奇洞(dong)異(yi)水(shui)之間(jian),樂(le)不思蜀。
三洞天(tian)至(zhi)八洞天(tian)洞中伏(fu)流(liu)水路至(zhi)此約二公里半,至(zhi)九洞天(tian)尚有數(shu)百米伏(fu)流(liu),因洞口石壁低垂直水面,無(wu)法行船(chuan),一(yi)旦打開石壁,不但溯流(liu)可上(shang)第(di)九洞天(tian),還(huan)將給八洞天(tian)增加無(wu)數(shu)“奇珍(zhen)異寶”。
第九洞(dong)天又名仙(xian)人洞(dong),也叫大觀(guan)天。
仙(xian)人(ren)洞(dong),洞(dong)內寬(kuan)一平方公(gong)里,可(ke)容(rong)萬(wan)人(ren)以上,奇觀(guan)(guan)(guan)罕美,勝(sheng)其(qi)前八洞(dong),是(shi)九洞(dong)中(zhong)最精華的(de)(de)(de)一個洞(dong),緣自此(ci)景(jing)區(qu)內有座巖(yan)溶天(tian)生橋(qiao)(qiao),天(tian)生橋(qiao)(qiao)上面陡峭險峻的(de)(de)(de)半山腰,有一個富有神奇傳說的(de)(de)(de)仙(xian)人(ren)洞(dong)而(er)得名,當地人(ren)都習(xi)慣叫(jiao)此(ci)處為仙(xian)人(ren)洞(dong)。此(ci)處景(jing)觀(guan)(guan)(guan)多而(er)集(ji)中(zhong)且典型,集(ji)巖(yan)溶景(jing)致之大(da)觀(guan)(guan)(guan),故(gu)有大(da)觀(guan)(guan)(guan)天(tian)之名。主要有:
天(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao):出八洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)步行數百(bai)米(mi)(mi),就可以看到一座巨大的巖(yan)(yan)溶(rong)(rong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)飛架于兩側的懸崖峭壁間,橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)高(gao)121米(mi)(mi),頂厚124米(mi)(mi),凈跨(kua)度(du)96米(mi)(mi),弧長160米(mi)(mi),就高(gao)大而(er)(er)言,是(shi)國內迄今(jin)為止(zhi)所發現的第(di)(di)二大巖(yan)(yan)溶(rong)(rong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)。橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)面可容(rong)千人(ren),在此極目遠眺(tiao),流云飛渡,峰嶺(ling)逶迤,天(tian)(tian)(tian)蒼地(di)茫。我國西南地(di)區是(shi)典型的喀斯特(te)地(di)區,溶(rong)(rong)洞(dong)、峽谷多,天(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)也很多,而(er)(er)九洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)卻是(shi)一座天(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)展(zhan)覽館,從三洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)到八洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)的河段(duan)上,是(shi)天(tian)(tian)(tian)窗和(he)天(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)的集中展(zhan)現,個個天(tian)(tian)(tian)窗洞(dong)開,座座天(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)聳立;而(er)(er)第(di)(di)九洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)的天(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)高(gao)大、空曠、雄偉、壯觀,獨占九洞(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)的天(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)之首(shou)。
仙人洞(dong):上(shang)述天(tian)生橋上(shang)面陡(dou)峭險峻的(de)(de)半山腰,有(you)一(yi)個富有(you)神(shen)奇(qi)傳說(shuo)的(de)(de)洞(dong),當地人稱仙人洞(dong)。早先,洞(dong)口下方(fang)五米處的(de)(de)巖縫間長有(you)兩根粗藤(teng),順(shun)著巖縫垂下。據說(shuo)安家(jia)(jia)也(ye)在洞(dong)中藏金。安家(jia)(jia)藏金時在藤(teng)上(shang)綁了軟梯,被稱著仙人梯;因防止人攀上(shang)去尋寶,兩根粗藤(teng)便被砍了。后(hou)來(lai),又有(you)人用竹索編成(cheng)軟梯上(shang)下,現在還能依稀可見殘跡。這里有(you)神(shen)秘(mi)色(se)彩的(de)(de)傳說(shuo)。
“神州赤(chi)壁(bi)”,透(tou)過天(tian)生橋(qiao)橋(qiao)洞(dong)看遠(yuan)方(fang),只見遠(yuan)方(fang)赤(chi)色絕壁(bi)恰似一幅中(zhong)國地圖鑲嵌其中(zhong),構(gou)成(cheng)了“神州赤(chi)壁(bi)”風(feng)景。
向上便是(shi)(shi)油(you)菜(cai)(cai)河(總溪(xi)河下(xia)游(you)是(shi)(shi)達(da)那河,河水(shui)到(dao)梯子巖后變(bian)成伏流,過(guo)梯子巖后又流出(chu)地(di)面(mian)此段(duan)當(dang)地(di)人叫它油(you)菜(cai)(cai)河),河水(shui)咆哮奔騰到(dao)仙人洞旁的峽谷中,倏(shu)然不(bu)見,只留下(xia)巨石若干(gan)在峽谷中,如云堆砌,如山險峻。原來水(shui)到(dao)此處(chu),流入巖底,變(bian)為(wei)暗河,“伏流在此深(shen)藏地(di)下(xia),僅(jin)在橋孔下(xia)有一幽深(shen)洞口(kou),窺見水(shui)靜如潭,不(bu)知(zhi)幾(ji)闊,不(bu)知(zhi)多深(shen)。”這就是(shi)(shi)第(di)九洞天。
月亮(liang)湖(hu):沿絕(jue)壁出大觀天前(qian)行300米(mi)左右,即(ji)到伏流(liu)出冥的(de)新(xin)月型峽谷,峽谷深(shen)約200米(mi),長(chang)約1000米(mi),河(he)(he)床海(hai)拔1170米(mi),一側赤色絕(jue)壁即(ji)“神(shen)州赤壁”崖面(mian),河(he)(he)流(liu)兩端為伏流(liu)進出水(shui)洞(dong),此段水(shui)域即(ji)油菜河(he)(he),洪水(shui)期間消漲(zhang)不及,河(he)(he)水(shui)上(shang)漲(zhang)形成(cheng)新(xin)月型湖(hu)面(mian),即(ji)月亮(liang)湖(hu)。
梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan):過(guo)月亮(liang)湖即到伏流(liu)洞頂(ding)(ding)之(zhi)上的(de)萬仞絕(jue)(jue)壁,絕(jue)(jue)壁鑿石(shi)(shi)級驛(yi)道,為(wei)明(ming)洪武(wu)年間彝族首領奢香(xiang)夫人(ren)所開九驛(yi)之(zhi)一(yi);沿(yan)石(shi)(shi)級下(xia)到絕(jue)(jue)壁腳(jiao)下(xia),是一(yi)個(ge)小村寨,因巖(yan)而(er)(er)得(de)名(ming),也叫梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan)。梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan)距仙(xian)人(ren)洞約為(wei)二(er)公(gong)里。這里是一(yi)片魚盤形的(de)開闊地,周圍(wei)的(de)高山峭壁,把這里圍(wei)成(cheng)了一(yi)個(ge)橢圓(yuan)形小盆地。原來出(chu)入外界,均靠(kao)陡險(xian)石(shi)(shi)梯(ti)(ti)。走過(guo)梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan)站(zhan)立伏流(liu)洞頂(ding)(ding),只見(jian)河(he)流(liu)逶迤而(er)(er)來,至此(ci)不(bu)見(jian)蹤跡(ji)。遠處(chu)是達那渡口,沿(yan)河(he)絕(jue)(jue)壁上已(yi)開鑿出(chu)一(yi)條公(gong)路,將(jiang)納(na)雍(yong)縣化(hua)作鄉(xiang)與大(da)方縣貓場鎮連(lian)接(jie)起來,梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan)天險(xian)已(yi)成(cheng)往昔。
這里因是小盆地(di),氣(qi)候得天獨厚,冬無(wu)嚴寒,夏無(wu)酷(ku)暑,四季如春。時令水果,長(chang)年(nian)不斷。
這里綠樹成蔭,灌木成形,枯(ku)藤老樹,修竹無數,掩映(ying)著一個個形狀(zhuang)(zhuang)各異的小石林,星羅棋布的坐落(luo)在大片活土中的小丘上,狀(zhuang)(zhuang)如天然盆景。
這里依山傍石,憑借大樹,座落著(zhu)間間老式農舍,其間居(ju)住著(zhu)貴州省唯(wei)一(yi)的一(yi)個(ge)族種(zhong)類——紅(hong)線苗族。
這里(li)有古驛道(dao)。明(ming)朝洪武年間奢香夫人(ren)所開九(jiu)驛之一,歷史上(shang)由滇(dian)入黔(qian)的重要通(tong)道(dao),南北(bei)向的從這里(li)通(tong)過,至(zhi)今梯子巖南面和北(bei)面的絕壁(bi)上(shang),都有鑿石而(er)成(cheng)的梯狀路,這就是古驛道(dao)。
此路后人幾經修補(bu),導致至(zhi)今尤存(cun)。在(zai)梯(ti)子(zi)巖南(nan)面絕壁石梯(ti)路上,尚存(cun)一(yi)碑,為清光(guang)緒十三年(nian)(1888年(nian))補(bu)修記載。另有一(yi)碑已被破壞,殘碑半截,散落當地農戶家中,已無(wu)立(li)碑年(nian)月,無(wu)從考證。碑址痕尚存(cun)。
畢節有直接抵達景(jing)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(you)覽九(jiu)洞天時,可(ke)走(zou)水(shui)(shui)泥路面修建(jian)的棧道,也可(ke)行船走(zou)水(shui)(shui)路。
九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)風(feng)景(jing)區(qu)位于大(da)方縣城(cheng)(cheng)以西(xi)(東經(jing)105°15′47″—106°08′04″,北緯26°50′20″—27°36′04″),離(li)大(da)方縣城(cheng)(cheng)60公(gong)里(li),離(li)納雍縣城(cheng)(cheng)50公(gong)里(li)。“九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)”是(shi)一個(ge)(ge)由(you)水(shui)旱(han)溶洞(dong)(dong)、伏(fu)流、天(tian)橋(qiao)、石林(lin)、懸(xuan)崖、絕壁、峰叢幽谷等組成的(de)規(gui)模宏偉(wei)的(de)天(tian)然風(feng)景(jing)群。總長(chang)(chang)20余(yu)公(gong)里(li),總面(mian)積約80平(ping)方公(gong)里(li),平(ping)均海(hai)拔1200米。氣(qi)候溫(wen)和,年平(ping)均氣(qi)溫(wen)11.8℃,屬溫(wen)暖帶濕潤季風(feng)氣(qi)候。“九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)”為(wei)整個(ge)(ge)景(jing)區(qu)的(de)精華,由(you)九(jiu)個(ge)(ge)通天(tian)大(da)洞(dong)(dong)和幾個(ge)(ge)暗湖、溶洞(dong)(dong)組成,烏江水(shui)系上游六(liu)仲河水(shui)穿(chuan)洞(dong)(dong)而過,流程長(chang)(chang)2000米。是(shi)集(ji)古(gu)、奇、秀、險、幽為(wei)一體的(de)自然景(jing)觀。
九洞(dong)天景(jing)區屬于滇東高原黔北臺隆畢節(jie)市(shi)北東及西南走向(xiang)構造變形(xing)結合(he)部,巖石主(zhu)要為二迭系石灰巖。河谷(gu)為巖溶(rong)箱形(xing)深切割峽谷(gu),巖壁接近(jin)90°,景(jing)區內分布(bu)有(you)溶(rong)蝕(shi)旱洞(dong),伏流洞(dong)穴,溶(rong)蝕(shi)塌陷等喀斯特典型地貌。兩岸懸(xuan)崖峭壁上(shang)有(you)眾多常年(nian)性和季節(jie)性瀑布(bu)、冒泉,河流漲落(luo)受季節(jie)影響變化較大。
九洞天(tian)景(jing)區(qu)覆(fu)蓋土(tu)(tu)壤主(zhu)要為地帶(dai)性土(tu)(tu)壤小黃泥(ni)、巖(yan)(yan)性土(tu)(tu)褐色石(shi)灰土(tu)(tu),PH值5.5—7.1。河谷(gu)(gu)兩側附近土(tu)(tu)層較薄,石(shi)灰石(shi)裸露較多,離河谷(gu)(gu)較遠土(tu)(tu)層較厚。景(jing)區(qu)植被良好,主(zhu)要野生(sheng)喬、灌(guan)木有(you)樟樹、楓樹、樺樹、桑樹、青杠、思栗(li)、松(song)、杉(shan)、及(ji)合(he)歡、巖(yan)(yan)哨子(zi)、紅子(zi)刺、毛竹、殼斗科植物(wu)(wu)等(deng)(deng);另有(you)藤木植物(wu)(wu)和蕨類。野生(sheng)動物(wu)(wu)主(zhu)要有(you)猴、獐(zhang)、黃鼠狼和蛇及(ji)各種(zhong)水鳥(niao)等(deng)(deng),河谷(gu)(gu)是野鴨越冬地,溶洞中(zhong)有(you)巖(yan)(yan)燕和蝙蝠棲息,河水中(zhong)主(zhu)要生(sheng)長紅嘴細鱗魚(yu)、黃蠟丁魚(yu)等(deng)(deng)。
1987年,國際巖(yan)溶專家、牛津大學博士威廉姆斯(si)考察(cha)后評為世界之首的景觀,全(quan)世界只有(you)南(nan)斯(si)拉夫可以與之相媲美,因而(er)被譽為“中(zhong)國巖(yan)溶百科全(quan)書”、“喀斯(si)特地質(zhi)博物館” [2-6] ?。
1989年,九洞天與黃果樹瀑布一道被評為貴州省十大風景名勝區之一。
2004年,九洞天被(bei)國(guo)務院批為國(guo)家級(ji)重點風(feng)景名(ming)勝區。
2008年(nian)9月,九(jiu)洞天在廣州深圳被(bei)國(guo)際旅(lv)游組織團評為中國(guo)最(zui)具有(you)影響力(li)的十大旅(lv)游景(jing)區之一。
2009年4月(yue)在海南世界(jie)旅游精英博鰲峰會(hui)上,被組委(wei)會(hui)授予“國際(ji)王牌(pai)旅游景(jing)區”稱號。