Scaling new heights of popularity

A growing number of athletes and enthusiasts from home and abroad are hanging out among the karst landscapes of Southwest China

"This year, seven new routes were set in the cave, and two of them are still on my list to tackle. I hope to return and take on those next time," said Song Xiao, a 29-year-old outdoor climbing enthusiast, standing at the entrance of Chuanshang Cave, which is located in Southwest China's Guizhou province.

This marks Song's second consecutive year climbing at the site, drawn to the unique natural features and technical demands of the routes.

Chuanshang Cave, part of the Getu River Scenic Area in Ziyun county, Anshun city of Guizhou province, is a massive natural cavern measuring 50 meters high, 70 meters wide and 137 meters long.