九(jiu)洞天(tian)(tian)(tian)是國務院授予國家級重(zhong)點風景(jing)名勝區之(zhi)一,是烏(wu)江(jiang)干流(liu)(liu)六仲(zhong)河(he)(he)(he)上游流(liu)(liu)經兩縣之(zhi)間的(de)(de)一段以伏流(liu)(liu)(當地人叫(jiao)陰(yin)河(he)(he)(he))為代表的(de)(de)喀斯特綜(zong)合(he)地貌。該段伏流(liu)(liu)時隱時現,神(shen)奇(qi)莫測,形成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)地下(xia)河(he)(he)(he),當地人稱(cheng)瓜仲(zhong)河(he)(he)(he),長約(yue)(yue)7公(gong)里,在下(xia)游長約(yue)(yue)6公(gong)里的(de)(de)河(he)(he)(he)段上,箱形切(qie)割頂(ding)板多處塌陷,形成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)了大小(xiao)不同,形狀各異的(de)(de)天(tian)(tian)(tian)窗洞口,使伏流(liu)(liu)明(ming)暗交(jiao)替,洞洞相連(lian),組合(he)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)集伏流(liu)(liu)、峽谷、洞穴、天(tian)(tian)(tian)橋(qiao)、天(tian)(tian)(tian)坑、及生(sheng)物(wu)化石為一體(ti)的(de)(de)雄(xiong)奇(qi)瑰麗的(de)(de)巖溶大觀(guan)。
九(jiu)(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)的(de)第一(yi)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)叫龍口天(tian)(tian)(tian),又叫月宮(gong)天(tian)(tian)(tian),是一(yi)個寬敞的(de)大穿洞(dong)(dong)。洞(dong)(dong)高70至100余米(mi),面積(ji)1100平方米(mi),分前、中(zhong)、后三廳,因九(jiu)(jiu)個洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)狀如一(yi)條蒼龍,第一(yi)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)如巨龍張著大口,地下(xia)瀑(pu)布如巨龍吞云吐(tu)霧(wu)而得名。此洞(dong)(dong)鐘(zhong)乳(ru)倒掛,石(shi)(shi)筍林立,石(shi)(shi)柱多處支撐,洞(dong)(dong)壁(bi)是黑(hei)亮黑(hei)亮的(de)墨金玉(yu)大理石(shi)(shi)巖壁(bi),未經雕鑿,天(tian)(tian)(tian)然成(cheng)趣,形成(cheng)大理石(shi)(shi)宮(gong)殿,且壁(bi)上有(you)石(shi)(shi)門,洞(dong)(dong)中(zhong)有(you)石(shi)(shi)景,而此洞(dong)(dong)中(zhong)景點特(te)色(se),突(tu)出在:
一(yi)(yi)是進入洞(dong)口,有一(yi)(yi)道(dao)十余米寬的(de)(de)飛(fei)瀑(pu)從左洞(dong)壁(bi)(bi)的(de)(de)半腰凌空(kong)飛(fei)下,在(zai)寬敞高大(da)(da)的(de)(de)洞(dong)口頂(ding)部,有一(yi)(yi)個很(hen)大(da)(da)的(de)(de)圓形凹壁(bi)(bi),很(hen)象高高掛在(zai)天上的(de)(de)月亮。白色(se)(se)鐘石(shi)長在(zai)青灰色(se)(se)的(de)(de)洞(dong)頂(ding)上,如繁星點點,黃白相間(jian)的(de)(de)石(shi)壁(bi)(bi)好似“天幕”襯托出(chu)這個圓形凹壁(bi)(bi),構成了(le)“皓月當空(kong)”景觀,沿棧道(dao)幾曲幾拐,步入其間(jian)如入月宮(gong)漫步。從月宮(gong)俯瞰大(da)(da)廳,別具一(yi)(yi)翻風韻。
二(er)是(shi)(shi)從(cong)前廳(ting)(ting)穿過中廳(ting)(ting)進入(ru)后廳(ting)(ting),會聽到隆(long)隆(long)的(de)(de)機(ji)聲(sheng)與(yu)轟轟的(de)(de)水聲(sheng)共鳴,這就是(shi)(shi)斐聲(sheng)中外(wai) 的(de)(de)九洞天(tian)溶洞電(dian)站,也就是(shi)(shi)瓜(gua)仲河(he)電(dian)站機(ji)房。這個電(dian)站裝機(ji)容量(liang)為2280千瓦,配電(dian)系統全(quan)都(dou)擺在洞內,發電(dian)的(de)(de)水的(de)(de)水也是(shi)(shi)從(cong)一(yi)個發電(dian)的(de)(de)水也是(shi)(shi)從(cong)一(yi)個天(tian)然(ran)的(de)(de)隧洞里引來的(de)(de),這在世(shi)界上也是(shi)(shi)獨(du)一(yi)無二(er)的(de)(de)。
第二(er)(er)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)叫雷(lei)霆(ting)天(tian)(tian)。由溶(rong)洞(dong)(dong)電(dian)站的(de)(de)后壁洞(dong)(dong)中走(zou)出(chu),便(bian)(bian)(bian)洞(dong)(dong)見天(tian)(tian)光與山(shan)色,轟(hong)鳴聲(sheng)不絕于耳,此(ci)時(shi)便(bian)(bian)(bian)進入了二(er)(er)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)。沿著(zhu)一條新修的(de)(de)曲欄往前(qian)走(zou),跨過水(shui)流(liu)湍(tuan)急的(de)(de)攔水(shui)壩,鉆(zhan)過一道造型別致的(de)(de)洞(dong)(dong)門,便(bian)(bian)(bian)進入一個峽(xia)谷地帶。兩(liang)道寬(kuan)20余米,高10余米的(de)(de)瀑(pu)布(bu)遙相呼應(ying),浪花飛濺,此(ci)時(shi),洞(dong)(dong)外濤(tao)聲(sheng)恕吼,洞(dong)(dong)內機聲(sheng)雷(lei)鳴,有雷(lei)霆(ting)萬(wan)鈞之勢(shi),故(gu)二(er)(er)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)名(ming)雷(lei)霆(ting)天(tian)(tian)。兩(liang)道瀑(pu)布(bu)的(de)(de)形成,是(shi)九洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)溶(rong)洞(dong)(dong)電(dian)站截(jie)流(liu)攔壩蓄水(shui)發電(dian),無(wu)意(yi)間塑造出(chu)雙瀑(pu)和(he)鳴這組傳(chuan)神景(jing)觀(guan)的(de)(de),加上青(qing)山(shan)白巖(yan)相襯(chen),藍(lan)天(tian)(tian)白云輝映,形成了二(er)(er)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)獨(du)特的(de)(de)個性。而且,這里(li)還有獨(du)步天(tian)(tian)下的(de)(de)“石頭開花”景(jing)觀(guan),及其(qi)凄(qi)婉動人的(de)(de)傳(chuan)說。
在(zai)峽谷中(zhong)那泓(hong)堤(di)壩(ba)圍成的(de)深潭旁的(de)巖壁(bi)(bi)上(shang),每(mei)(mei)年春夏之(zhi)交,便(bian)會出(chu)現“石頭開花”景(jing)觀。據(ju)《大(da)定(ding)縣(xian)志》記載:“瓜仲河小渡口(kou)巖上(shang),每(mei)(mei)年四(si)月,值雷雨之(zhi)夕,必(bi)有(you)蝴(hu)蝶數十(shi)萬于巖上(shang)孵卵。次日(ri)之(zhi),為五(wu)色花蕊,爛漫頻鋪。至端(duan)陽后,則伏藏(zang)不見。”在(zai)民(min)間,“石頭開花馬(ma)生角,扁(bian)擔出(chu)水羊唱歌”是比喻不可(ke)能出(chu)現的(de)事情。而蝴(hu)蝶在(zai)九洞(dong)天(tian)巖壁(bi)(bi)上(shang)聚集成花,顯示了世界的(de)奇妙。
沿(yan)洞(dong)內棧道“四十九道拐”可步(bu)行(xing)入三(san)(san)洞(dong)天,也(ye)可從水路乘(cheng)船往三(san)(san)洞(dong)天“金光(guang)天”。
第(di)三(san)洞(dong)天名(ming)金(jin)光(guang)(guang)天。從二(er)洞(dong)天壩中(zhong)水(shui)上,也可乘船沿伏流(liu)進入第(di)三(san)洞(dong)天。金(jin)光(guang)(guang)天這段伏流(liu),水(shui)平如鏡(jing),波瀾不興,借助(zhu)洞(dong)內燈光(guang)(guang),上觀變幻莫測(ce)的(de)洞(dong)頂(ding),下(xia)望(wang)幽深黯然(ran)的(de)伏流(liu),令人產生洞(dong)幽極玄的(de)感覺。船移洞(dong)通(tong),豁然(ran)開朗。一(yi)縷陽光(guang)(guang),從洞(dong)頂(ding)的(de)天坑中(zhong)擠(ji)進洞(dong)來,投(tou)射出水(shui)面(mian)上的(de)粼粼波光(guang)(guang),波光(guang)(guang)反射到巖壁上,影射出陽光(guang)(guang)萬縷,金(jin)光(guang)(guang)搖曳。這就是三(san)洞(dong)天又名(ming)金(jin)光(guang)(guang)天的(de)得名(ming)緣故了。
第四洞(dong)天(tian)又(you)名玉(yu)宇天(tian),玉(yu)宇天(tian)的妙處,除具備(bei)水上(shang)特色外(wai),還在于其(qi)溶(rong)洞(dong)三奇(qi),沿(yan)棧道左側一洞(dong)口,進入一獨(du)具規模溶(rong)洞(dong),當地人稱“小(xiao)石(shi)林”,又(you)叫玲(ling)瓏洞(dong),洞(dong)小(xiao)而奇(qi),集石(shi)筍、石(shi)柱、石(shi)鐘乳(ru)一體,小(xiao)巧玲(ling)瓏,千姿百態,妙趣橫生,洞(dong)高(gao)2~3米,洞(dong)深50米左右,于內游覽,如置身瓊樓玉(yu)宇,故此洞(dong)又(you)名玉(yu)宇天(tian)。
第五(wu)洞(dong)天又名葫(hu)蘆(lu)(lu)天,第五(wu)洞(dong)天兩潭水面(mian)狀如葫(hu)蘆(lu)(lu),故爾得(de)名。此水面(mian)積達四(si)千(qian)平方(fang)米(mi),置身其(qi)間,耳聞槳櫓(lu)聲(sheng)聲(sheng),眼見波光(guang)粼粼,靜聽暗(an)瀑飛鳴,不絕于耳。船(chuan)只過此,常(chang)順(shun)激(ji)流撲(pu)向暗(an)洞(dong),需船(chuan)工奮力劃槳,船(chuan)才(cai)能拔正方(fang)向,讓人驚心(xin)動(dong)魄(po),倍感刺激(ji)。此處接天洞(dong)沿上(shang)也有(you)“石(shi)頭開花”景觀,當年那對癡(chi)情男(nan)女,據說便(bian)是從這一帶(dai)縱身殉情的(de),至今(jin)洞(dong)外尚留下荒(huang)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(wu)、六洞天,洞相(xiang)結,水相(xiang)連,各(ge)自(zi)有(you)通(tong)天洞與外界相(xiang)通(tong),洞頂(ding)距水面(mian)高約80米(mi),水面(mian)最寬處約60米(mi),最窄處只有(you)30米(mi)。洞中石幔、石柱、石筍、石鐘(zhong)乳形態萬千(qian),隨船而動,忽隱忽現,放眼洞壁半(ban)空棧道上,人(ren)影(ying)晃動,游客仿佛(fo)置身龍宮。
實際上,如果從(cong)二洞(dong)天開(kai)始乘船游覽(lan),可(ke)以直(zhi)達八洞(dong)天,這段伏(fu)流(liu)(liu)(liu)水(shui)道(dao)(dao)近二公里半,除有幾處激流(liu)(liu)(liu)外,絕大多(duo)數地段水(shui)流(liu)(liu)(liu)平穩,水(shui)面寬闊。可(ke)以輕舟慢槳(jiang),隨波(bo)逐流(liu)(liu)(liu),沿途景致也歷歷在目。“高(gao)坡梯田”,層層疊疊;“九天瀑布”,從(cong)天而降;石(shi)廊通道(dao)(dao),曲(qu)折迂回;河(he)心石(shi)磯,虎踞龍盤。洞(dong)頂(ding)古藤(teng)老樹橫生(sheng)斜插(cha),奇山異石(shi)千姿百態,各種化石(shi),比比皆是(shi),會(hui)讓人流(liu)(liu)(liu)連忘返。
第七洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)又名云(yun)霄(xiao)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian),七洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)名云(yun)霄(xiao)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian),來(lai)(lai)源于該洞(dong)(dong)壁(bi)右側(ce),有一(yi)小洞(dong)(dong)口(kou),進洞(dong)(dong)幾(ji)曲(qu)幾(ji)拐,豁然開(kai)朗,原(yuan)來(lai)(lai)進入(ru)了一(yi)大洞(dong)(dong),洞(dong)(dong)中有碾有灶,原(yuan)來(lai)(lai)百多(duo)年(nian)前,人們(men)在(zai)(zai)這里熬硝(xiao),當地人稱水(shui)硝(xiao)洞(dong)(dong)。時至今日,已(yi)無人操此道(dao),但(dan)舊時工具(ju)等(deng)尚存。進洞(dong)(dong)口(kou)離河水(shui)百數(shu)米,只(zhi)有漲(zhang)水(shui)時才能進去,硝(xiao)霄(xiao)諧音,加上(shang)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)壁(bi)部陡峭,巖燕在(zai)(zai)上(shang)做窩,蝙蝠在(zai)(zai)陰(yin)黑處棲息(xi);巖燕出(chu)窩時振翅向上(shang),如沖霄(xiao)漢,翻飛掠影,直出(chu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian),故此洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)得名云(yun)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。由于(yu)溶洞電(dian)站的(de)(de)石(shi)壩(ba)所攔截的(de)(de)水(shui)(shui)面(mian)至(zhi)六(liu)洞天(tian)就(jiu)到了(le)水(shui)(shui)尾,剩下的(de)(de)七洞天(tian),八洞天(tian)內(nei)水(shui)(shui)流湍急,就(jiu)現有(you)條件,游客只能在洞內(nei)棧(zhan)道(dao)上觀嘗七、八洞天(tian)。八洞(dong)天與六洞(dong)天由于(yu)塌陷,洞(dong)口巨(ju)大,洞(dong)內(nei)洞(dong)外渾然一體,頂板猶如兩(liang)個巨(ju)大的鐵鍋(guo)反扣在河(he)上,水洞(dong)、旱洞(dong)、伏流,明暗相間。
洞(dong)高約80米,洞(dong)闊達百米以上(shang),玲(ling)瓏剔(ti)透,八(ba)面(mian)來風(feng),洞(dong)中(zhong)巨石砥(di)流,落石成岸,洞(dong)壁和洞(dong)頂上(shang)的“觀(guan)音坐蓮”、“猴子(zi)歸山”風(feng)景,巖溶造型逼真(zhen),令人目不暇(xia)接;八(ba)洞(dong)天(tian)三(san)面(mian)絕壁環(huan)抱一(yi)泓碧水,另一(yi)面(mian)石壁上(shang)枝繁葉茂,時有小鳥(niao)飛鳴其間(jian),回視河中(zhong)停船(chuan),棧道迂回,頓覺(jue)天(tian)低洞(dong)闊,人穿行(xing)于奇洞(dong)異水之間(jian),樂(le)不思蜀。
三(san)洞(dong)天(tian)至八(ba)洞(dong)天(tian)洞(dong)中伏流(liu)水路至此約(yue)二(er)公里半,至九(jiu)洞(dong)天(tian)尚有數(shu)(shu)百米伏流(liu),因洞(dong)口(kou)石壁低垂直水面,無法(fa)行(xing)船,一(yi)旦打開石壁,不但溯流(liu)可(ke)上第九(jiu)洞(dong)天(tian),還(huan)將給八(ba)洞(dong)天(tian)增加無數(shu)(shu)“奇珍異(yi)寶”。
第九洞天又名仙人洞,也叫大觀天。
仙人(ren)洞,洞內(nei)寬一平方公里(li),可容(rong)萬人(ren)以上(shang),奇(qi)觀(guan)罕(han)美,勝其(qi)前八洞,是(shi)九洞中(zhong)最精華(hua)的(de)(de)(de)一個洞,緣自此(ci)(ci)景(jing)區內(nei)有(you)座巖溶天生(sheng)(sheng)橋,天生(sheng)(sheng)橋上(shang)面陡峭險峻的(de)(de)(de)半山腰,有(you)一個富有(you)神奇(qi)傳說的(de)(de)(de)仙人(ren)洞而得名,當地人(ren)都習慣叫此(ci)(ci)處為仙人(ren)洞。此(ci)(ci)處景(jing)觀(guan)多而集中(zhong)且典型,集巖溶景(jing)致之(zhi)大觀(guan),故有(you)大觀(guan)天之(zhi)名。主要(yao)有(you):
天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋:出八(ba)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)步(bu)行(xing)數百米(mi),就(jiu)可(ke)以看到一座(zuo)(zuo)巨大的(de)(de)巖溶(rong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋飛架于兩側的(de)(de)懸崖峭壁間,橋高(gao)121米(mi),頂厚(hou)124米(mi),凈跨度96米(mi),弧長160米(mi),就(jiu)高(gao)大而(er)言,是國內迄今(jin)為止所(suo)發現的(de)(de)第二大巖溶(rong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋。橋面可(ke)容千(qian)人,在此極(ji)目(mu)遠眺,流云飛渡(du),峰嶺逶迤,天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)蒼地茫(mang)。我國西南(nan)地區是典(dian)型的(de)(de)喀斯特地區,溶(rong)洞(dong)(dong)、峽(xia)谷多(duo),天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋也(ye)很(hen)多(duo),而(er)九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)卻是一座(zuo)(zuo)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋展覽(lan)館,從三洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)到八(ba)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)的(de)(de)河(he)段上,是天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)窗和(he)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋的(de)(de)集中(zhong)展現,個(ge)個(ge)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)窗洞(dong)(dong)開,座(zuo)(zuo)座(zuo)(zuo)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋聳(song)立;而(er)第九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)的(de)(de)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋高(gao)大、空曠、雄偉、壯觀,獨占九(jiu)洞(dong)(dong)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)的(de)(de)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)橋之首。
仙人(ren)洞(dong):上(shang)述天生橋上(shang)面(mian)陡峭險峻的(de)半山腰,有(you)一個富(fu)有(you)神奇(qi)傳(chuan)說(shuo)的(de)洞(dong),當(dang)地(di)人(ren)稱仙人(ren)洞(dong)。早(zao)先(xian),洞(dong)口(kou)下(xia)方五(wu)米處的(de)巖(yan)縫間長有(you)兩(liang)根粗藤,順著巖(yan)縫垂下(xia)。據說(shuo)安家也(ye)在(zai)洞(dong)中藏金。安家藏金時在(zai)藤上(shang)綁了軟(ruan)梯(ti),被稱著仙人(ren)梯(ti);因防止人(ren)攀上(shang)去(qu)尋寶,兩(liang)根粗藤便(bian)被砍(kan)了。后來,又有(you)人(ren)用(yong)竹索(suo)編成軟(ruan)梯(ti)上(shang)下(xia),現在(zai)還(huan)能依稀可見殘跡。這里有(you)神秘色彩的(de)傳(chuan)說(shuo)。
“神州赤(chi)壁(bi)”,透過天生橋橋洞看遠方,只見遠方赤(chi)色絕(jue)壁(bi)恰似一(yi)幅中(zhong)國(guo)地圖鑲嵌(qian)其中(zhong),構成了“神州赤(chi)壁(bi)”風(feng)景。
向(xiang)上便是(shi)油菜河(he)(總溪河(he)下游是(shi)達那河(he),河(he)水(shui)(shui)到(dao)梯子巖后(hou)變(bian)成伏流(liu),過梯子巖后(hou)又流(liu)出(chu)地面此(ci)段當地人叫它(ta)油菜河(he)),河(he)水(shui)(shui)咆(pao)哮(xiao)奔騰到(dao)仙人洞旁(pang)的峽谷(gu)中,倏(shu)然不見,只留下巨石若干在峽谷(gu)中,如(ru)云堆砌,如(ru)山險峻。原來水(shui)(shui)到(dao)此(ci)處,流(liu)入(ru)巖底,變(bian)為暗河(he),“伏流(liu)在此(ci)深藏地下,僅在橋孔(kong)下有一(yi)幽深洞口,窺見水(shui)(shui)靜如(ru)潭,不知幾闊,不知多(duo)深。”這就是(shi)第九(jiu)洞天。
月(yue)亮(liang)湖(hu):沿絕(jue)壁(bi)出(chu)(chu)大觀(guan)天(tian)前行300米(mi)左(zuo)右,即(ji)到伏(fu)流出(chu)(chu)冥的新(xin)月(yue)型峽(xia)谷(gu),峽(xia)谷(gu)深約(yue)200米(mi),長(chang)約(yue)1000米(mi),河床海(hai)拔1170米(mi),一側赤(chi)色(se)絕(jue)壁(bi)即(ji)“神州赤(chi)壁(bi)”崖面,河流兩端為伏(fu)流進出(chu)(chu)水(shui)洞,此(ci)段水(shui)域即(ji)油菜河,洪水(shui)期間消(xiao)漲(zhang)不及,河水(shui)上漲(zhang)形成新(xin)月(yue)型湖(hu)面,即(ji)月(yue)亮(liang)湖(hu)。
梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan)(yan)(yan):過(guo)月亮湖即到(dao)伏流(liu)洞(dong)(dong)頂之上的(de)萬仞絕(jue)壁,絕(jue)壁鑿石(shi)級驛道,為明(ming)洪(hong)武年間彝族首領奢香夫(fu)人所開九驛之一(yi);沿石(shi)級下(xia)到(dao)絕(jue)壁腳下(xia),是(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)個小(xiao)村寨(zhai),因巖(yan)(yan)(yan)而得名,也叫梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan)(yan)(yan)。梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan)(yan)(yan)距仙人洞(dong)(dong)約為二公里(li)。這里(li)是(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)片魚(yu)盤形(xing)的(de)開闊地(di),周圍的(de)高山峭壁,把這里(li)圍成了(le)一(yi)個橢圓形(xing)小(xiao)盆地(di)。原(yuan)來出入外界(jie),均靠陡險石(shi)梯(ti)(ti)。走過(guo)梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan)(yan)(yan)站立(li)伏流(liu)洞(dong)(dong)頂,只(zhi)見河流(liu)逶迤(yi)而來,至此(ci)不見蹤跡。遠處是(shi)(shi)(shi)達那渡口,沿河絕(jue)壁上已(yi)開鑿出一(yi)條(tiao)公路,將納雍(yong)縣(xian)化作鄉與大方縣(xian)貓(mao)場鎮連接起來,梯(ti)(ti)子巖(yan)(yan)(yan)天險已(yi)成往昔。
這(zhe)里因是小盆地,氣候得天獨厚,冬無嚴寒,夏無酷暑(shu),四季如春。時令水果,長年不(bu)斷。
這里綠樹成蔭,灌木(mu)成形(xing),枯(ku)藤老樹,修竹無(wu)數,掩映(ying)著一個個形(xing)狀(zhuang)各異的(de)小石林,星羅棋布(bu)的(de)坐落在大(da)片活土中的(de)小丘上,狀(zhuang)如天然盆(pen)景。
這里依山傍石,憑借大(da)樹,座落(luo)著間間老式農舍,其(qi)間居(ju)住(zhu)著貴州省唯一(yi)的(de)一(yi)個族種(zhong)類——紅線苗族。
這里有古(gu)驛道(dao)。明朝洪武(wu)年間奢香夫人所開(kai)九驛之(zhi)一,歷史上(shang)由滇入黔的(de)重要通(tong)道(dao),南北(bei)向(xiang)的(de)從這里通(tong)過,至今梯(ti)子(zi)巖(yan)南面和北(bei)面的(de)絕壁上(shang),都有鑿(zao)石而成的(de)梯(ti)狀路,這就是古(gu)驛道(dao)。
此路后人幾(ji)經修(xiu)補(bu),導致至今尤存(cun)。在梯(ti)子巖南面(mian)絕壁石梯(ti)路上,尚存(cun)一(yi)碑(bei),為清光緒十(shi)三年(nian)(1888年(nian))補(bu)修(xiu)記載。另有一(yi)碑(bei)已被破壞,殘碑(bei)半截,散落(luo)當地(di)農戶家中,已無立(li)碑(bei)年(nian)月,無從考(kao)證。碑(bei)址痕(hen)尚存(cun)。
畢節有(you)直(zhi)接(jie)抵達景區的班(ban)車。若(ruo)從貴陽(yang)出發,則(ze)乘(cheng)2路公交車到西(xi)客站。13:50有(you)一班(ban)車到大方。
游覽九(jiu)洞天時,可走水(shui)泥(ni)路面(mian)修建的棧道,也(ye)可行船(chuan)走水(shui)路。
九(jiu)(jiu)洞(dong)天(tian)風景區位于大方縣城以西(東經(jing)105°15′47″—106°08′04″,北緯26°50′20″—27°36′04″),離大方縣城60公里,離納雍(yong)縣城50公里。“九(jiu)(jiu)洞(dong)天(tian)”是一(yi)個(ge)由水(shui)旱溶洞(dong)、伏流(liu)、天(tian)橋(qiao)、石林、懸崖、絕壁、峰叢幽(you)(you)谷等組成的(de)規模(mo)宏偉的(de)天(tian)然(ran)風景群(qun)。總(zong)長20余公里,總(zong)面積(ji)約80平(ping)方公里,平(ping)均海(hai)拔1200米。氣候(hou)溫和(he),年平(ping)均氣溫11.8℃,屬溫暖帶濕潤季風氣候(hou)。“九(jiu)(jiu)洞(dong)天(tian)”為(wei)整個(ge)景區的(de)精華,由九(jiu)(jiu)個(ge)通天(tian)大洞(dong)和(he)幾個(ge)暗湖(hu)、溶洞(dong)組成,烏(wu)江水(shui)系上(shang)游六(liu)仲(zhong)河水(shui)穿洞(dong)而過,流(liu)程長2000米。是集古(gu)、奇、秀、險、幽(you)(you)為(wei)一(yi)體的(de)自然(ran)景觀。
九洞天景區(qu)屬于滇東高原黔北(bei)臺(tai)隆畢節市北(bei)東及西南走向構造(zao)變形(xing)結合部,巖石主要為二迭系(xi)石灰(hui)巖。河谷為巖溶(rong)箱(xiang)形(xing)深切(qie)割(ge)峽谷,巖壁接近90°,景區(qu)內分布有(you)溶(rong)蝕旱(han)洞,伏流(liu)洞穴,溶(rong)蝕塌(ta)陷等喀斯特典(dian)型(xing)地(di)貌。兩岸懸崖峭(qiao)壁上有(you)眾多常(chang)年(nian)性和季節性瀑(pu)布、冒(mao)泉(quan),河流(liu)漲落受季節影響(xiang)變化較大。
九洞天景區覆蓋土壤(rang)主(zhu)要為(wei)地(di)帶(dai)性土壤(rang)小(xiao)黃(huang)(huang)泥(ni)、巖性土褐色(se)石灰(hui)土,PH值5.5—7.1。河(he)(he)(he)谷(gu)(gu)兩側附近土層較薄,石灰(hui)石裸露較多,離河(he)(he)(he)谷(gu)(gu)較遠(yuan)土層較厚。景區植被良好,主(zhu)要野生喬、灌木有(you)樟樹、楓樹、樺樹、桑樹、青杠(gang)、思栗、松、杉、及(ji)合歡、巖哨子(zi)、紅(hong)子(zi)刺、毛竹(zhu)、殼斗科植物(wu)等(deng);另有(you)藤木植物(wu)和(he)蕨類。野生動(dong)物(wu)主(zhu)要有(you)猴、獐、黃(huang)(huang)鼠狼和(he)蛇(she)及(ji)各種水(shui)鳥等(deng),河(he)(he)(he)谷(gu)(gu)是野鴨越(yue)冬地(di),溶洞中有(you)巖燕和(he)蝙蝠(fu)棲息,河(he)(he)(he)水(shui)中主(zhu)要生長紅(hong)嘴細鱗魚、黃(huang)(huang)蠟(la)丁(ding)魚等(deng)。
1987年,國際巖溶專家、牛津大學(xue)博士威廉姆斯考察(cha)后評為世界之首的景觀,全世界只有南斯拉夫可以與之相媲美,因而被(bei)譽(yu)為“中(zhong)國巖溶百科全書”、“喀斯特地質博物館” [2-6] ?。
1989年,九洞天與(yu)黃果樹瀑(pu)布一(yi)道被評為貴州省十大(da)風景(jing)名(ming)勝區之一(yi)。
2004年,九洞天被國(guo)務院(yuan)批(pi)為國(guo)家級重(zhong)點風景名勝區(qu)。
2008年(nian)9月,九(jiu)洞天在廣州深圳被國際旅(lv)游組織團評(ping)為中(zhong)國最具有影響力的十大旅(lv)游景(jing)區之(zhi)一。
2009年4月在海南(nan)世界旅游精英博鰲峰會上,被組(zu)委會授予“國(guo)際王牌旅游景區”稱號。