Tourists fascinated by Guizhou's karst landscapes can also visit Panlong Cave within the scenic area. Inside the cave are well-preserved, densely covered stalactites and stalagmites.

One of the stalactite columns has a diameter of around 4 meters at its base and is about 15 meters in length. Based on the average growth rate of stalactites, which is one centimeter per 100 years, this stalactite has been formed over a span of at least 150,000 years.

To better serve residents and tourists, the Guanshanhu district abolished the entrance fee to the scenic area in August last year.

Zhao says that villagers on the islands are renovating their houses into homestays to meet visitor accommodation needs.

"A 46.6-km-long slow travel system is currently under construction around the Baihua Lake. Once completed, it will offer visitors a different immersive experience," he adds.