As a dedicated Traveler who once believed I had seen all of Teyvat, the sprawling, multi-layered underground of Sumeru felt like discovering a secret library hidden beneath a familiar, sun-drenched garden. The official HoYoLAB Interactive Map, integrated with an underground filter, became my indispensable grimoire, revealing a subterranean world more intricate than the roots of the Divine Tree. While regions like Inazuma and Liyue offered glimpses below, Sumeru transformed underground exploration from a side activity into a core, almost obligatory, part of the full Genshin Impact experience. Over twenty distinct caverns, tombs, and buried cities awaited, each whispering promises of exclusive puzzles, formidable new Consecrated Beasts, and resources like the elusive Sand Grease Pupas. Navigating this labyrinth without a guide felt like trying to decipher an ancient script in total darkness, but with the new tool, the depths finally yielded their secrets.
🗺️ The Official Guide to the Underworld
My exploration truly began not in-game, but on the HoYoLAB app. The official Interactive Map tool, updated through 2026, now comprehensively charts all of Sumeru's depths, including the later expansions like the Desert of Hadramaveth. Toggling the "Underground Map" function was a revelation—it was like applying a developer's X-ray vision, overlaying the hidden chambers directly onto the surface terrain. Suddenly, finding specific locations, such as the enigmatic City of the Deceased Domain, went from a frustrating hour of circling rock faces to a simple matter of following the digital trail. The map's utility is staggering:
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Layered Navigation: Seamlessly switch between surface and subterranean views.
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Detailed Filtering: Isolate Waypoints, Chests (Puzzle & Open-World), Resources, and Enemy locations.
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Quest Awareness: Clearly indicates areas locked behind story progression, saving endless guesswork.
It's crucial to remember that this feature is, for now, a Sumeru exclusive. You can't use it to map the depths beneath Inazuma's Araumi or the winding tunnels of The Chasm. For those places, my memory and old-fashioned exploration had to suffice.
⛏️ Unlocking the Depths: Quests and Secrets
While most underground entrances in Sumeru are freely accessible, a few critical zones remain sealed by formidable narrative locks. My journey taught me that no map, no matter how detailed, can bypass the will of the Archons. Two prime examples stood out as majestic, yet maddening, roadblocks:
| Location | Blocking Quest | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Abdju Pit (Great Red Sands) | Golden Slumber / Dirge of Bilqis | A vast, ancient ruin complex buried under the dunes, its true heart inaccessible without completing the desert's tragic tale. |
| The Orchard of Pairidaeza (Mt. Damavand) | Afratu's Dilemma / Khvarena of Good and Evil | A hidden paradise of glowing flora and forgotten secrets, lying at the literal nadir of the mountain's mysteries. |
Progressing through these quests wasn't just about unlocking areas; it was like slowly tuning a complex instrument until the final note resonated and a hidden door swung open. The payoff was always worth it—these quest-locked zones often contain some of the region's most beautiful vistas and challenging encounters.
🎯 Why the Depths Matter: Rewards and Realities
Venturing below isn't just for the view. Sumeru's underground is a treasure trove essential for any serious adventurer. Using the map filters, I systematically hunted for:
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Exclusive Resources: A significant portion of the Sand Grease Pupa collection spots are hidden in caverns. Trying to farm them without the underground map was as futile as catching smoke with your bare hands.
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New Enemy Types: The fierce Consecrated Scorpions and Consecrated Vultures often lurk in the deepest, driest caves of Hadramaveth, guarding precious chests.
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Domain Access: Key Domains for artifact farming and talent ascension materials, like the City of the Deceased, are buried away.
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World Quests & Lore: Fragments of Sumeru's ancient history, the story of King Deshret and the Goddess of Flowers, are etched into these buried walls.
🧭 Pro-Tip for 2026 Explorers: The in-game map still lacks this native underground toggle. Relying solely on it for deep exploration is like trying to navigate a coral reef using a map of the ocean's surface. The HoYoLAB Interactive Map remains the definitive tool. Pair it with in-game pins for a hybrid strategy that marks your personal discoveries.
My journey through Sumeru's underworld transformed my understanding of Teyvat. What seemed like solid ground was merely a ceiling for another world teeming with life, history, and danger. The official tools have evolved, but the spirit of discovery remains unchanged. So, consult your map, prepare for quests that will pull you deep into the lore, and descend—the true heart of Sumeru beats strongest in the silent dark beneath its forests and deserts, waiting to share its secrets with those persistent enough to seek them.