By 2012, there have been 92 tiankengs discovered upon scientific certification in the world so far (66 in China), and 13 karst areas where at least three tiankengs are developing (7 in china).
1. Xiaozhai tiankeng, Fengjie 2. Dashiwei tiankeng group, Leye 3. Wulong tiankeng group, Chongqing 4. Bama Haolong and Jiaole tiankeng, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 5. Longgang tiankeng, Yunyang, Chongqing 6. Dayanwan and Xiaoyanwan tiankengs, Xingwen, Sichuan province 7. Zhijin tiankeng group, Guizhou province
Distribution schematic diagrams of important tiankengs in South China (According to Huang Baojian, et al., 2003)
Karst area developing with over 3 (Inc. 3) tiankengs in the world
| SN | Tiankeng group location | Quantity (site) | Country/Region |
| 1 | Leye | >27 | Leye/Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region/China |
| 2 | Wulong | 15 | Wulong/Chongqing/China |
| 3 | Atea | 10 | Muller plateau, Papua New Guinea |
| 4 | Nakaina | 9 | Nakanai, New Britian, Papua New Guinea |
| 5 | Zhijin | 7 | Zhijin/Guizhou province/China |
| 6 | Xiaozhai | 7 | Fengjie/Chongqing/China |
| 7 | Detian | 4 | Ziyun/Guizhou province/China |
| 8 | Caokou | 4 | Luodian/Guizhou province/China |
| 9 | Mamo | >3 | Muller plateau, Papua New Guinea |
| 10 | Mawang Cave | 3 | Fengshan/Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region/China |
| 11 | Ankarana | 3 | Ankarana/Madagascar |
| 12 | Skozjan | 3 | Imotski/Slovenia |
| 13 | Rorogepo | 3 | Muller plateau, Papua New Guinea |
(According to Wei Yuelong, et al., 2009; Huang Baojian, et al., 2003; Chen Weihai, et al., 2006; revised)
