Anlong Limestone Resort: China’s hidden wilderness paradise

Maggie Hiufu Wong
By Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN
4 minute read
Updated 2:50 AM EDT, Tue June 12, 2018
<strong>Anlong Limestone Resort: </strong>Famed for its karst landscapes and a 50-hectare canyon, the five-square-kilometer Anlong Limestone Resort is China's first national outdoor extreme sports park.
Anlong Limestone Resort: Famed for its karst landscapes and a 50-hectare canyon, the five-square-kilometer Anlong Limestone Resort is China's first national outdoor extreme sports park.
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio
<strong>Into the wild: </strong>The newly completed Anlong Limestone Resort Visitor Center, located in Guizhou province, is the only man-made structure in Haiwei Canyon.
Into the wild: The newly completed Anlong Limestone Resort Visitor Center, located in Guizhou province, is the only man-made structure in Haiwei Canyon.
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio
<strong>A $42 million project: </strong>Opened in 2016, the center is part of a $42 million plan to develop the area into an arena for national and international sports events.
A $42 million project: Opened in 2016, the center is part of a $42 million plan to develop the area into an arena for national and international sports events.
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio
<strong>Inspired by nature: </strong>Designed by Beijing-based 3andwich Design Studio, the complex is divided into four structures. There's a welcome area, a bar, a restaurant and a conference room.
Inspired by nature: Designed by Beijing-based 3andwich Design Studio, the complex is divided into four structures. There's a welcome area, a bar, a restaurant and a conference room.
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio
<strong>Gifts from nature: </strong>"The visitor center is located on a small hill in Haiwei Canyon", says He Wei, project architect. "On the hill sits four groups of rocks. The shapes of the rocks are wonderful and they're important treasures endowed by nature to the site."
Gifts from nature: "The visitor center is located on a small hill in Haiwei Canyon", says He Wei, project architect. "On the hill sits four groups of rocks. The shapes of the rocks are wonderful and they're important treasures endowed by nature to the site."
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio
<strong>Meeting point: </strong>An elevated outdoor platform, where travelers and locals can mingle, connects the four buildings.
Meeting point: An elevated outdoor platform, where travelers and locals can mingle, connects the four buildings.
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio
<strong>Architecture and nature:</strong> "Architecture serves as a link between nature and people," says He. "We hope that the visitor center will maintain a symbiotic relationship with nature. It serves as an anchor as well as a spiritual beacon of the entire site."
Architecture and nature: "Architecture serves as a link between nature and people," says He. "We hope that the visitor center will maintain a symbiotic relationship with nature. It serves as an anchor as well as a spiritual beacon of the entire site."
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio
<strong>Rich minority cultures: </strong>Situated inside the Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Anlong boasts a rich indigenous culture. Minority groups make up almost half of the county's population.
Rich minority cultures: Situated inside the Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Anlong boasts a rich indigenous culture. Minority groups make up almost half of the county's population.
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio
<strong>Boosting tourism: </strong>Anlong Limestone Resort is a part of a series of projects carried out by the local Guizhou government to develop the economy and attract tourists to this otherwise underdeveloped area.
Boosting tourism: Anlong Limestone Resort is a part of a series of projects carried out by the local Guizhou government to develop the economy and attract tourists to this otherwise underdeveloped area.
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio
Is this where outdoor sports in China will take off?
CNN  — 

“When I visited Anlong County for the first time, I hiked up a small hill and in front of me stood a cliff over 100 meters high,” recalls He Wei, a Beijing-based architect.

“At the bottom of the cliff lay a lush pocket-shaped canyon with a river meandering from afar and disappearing to the sinkholes. I thought to myself then, ‘This place is too beautiful.’ ”

He, with his architecture firm 3andwich Design Studio, is behind the design and construction of the stunning Anlong Limestone Resort Tourist Center and Limestone Gallery, the only two man-made buildings inside the Anlong Limestone Resort in Guizhou, China.

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China’s first national outdoor sports park

The Anlong Limestone Resort is China's first national park dedicated to outdoor extreme sports.
The Anlong Limestone Resort is China's first national park dedicated to outdoor extreme sports.
3andwich Design/He Wei Studio

Known for its karst landscapes and a 50-hectare canyon, the five-square-kilometer Anlong Limestone Resort is China’s first national outdoor extreme sports park.

Opened in 2016 with an investment of $42 million from the government, it’s hosted various national and international sports events. it offers access to several extreme sports activities including rock climbing, paragliding, cave exploration, kayaking, mountain biking and hiking.

There’s also a via ferrata on the side of a 165-meter-high cliffside, offering breathtaking views of the Haiwei Canyon. The Anlong Limestone Resort Tourist Center sits at the bottom of that canyon.