In early age, caves were utilized for sacred sites, burial, and as shelter. Nowadays, examiners keep studying caves to discover details about past climatic circumstances. Cavers consider caves as a special part of their activity and for exercises. Some amazing underground caves have become show caves for people, especially for those less adventurous ones. Floors, artificial lightings and some services are provided for casual tourists.
Below are the most popular underground caves:
1.Mulu Caves
One of the most visited by tourists in Malaysia
2. Cave of the Crystals
This amazing cave was found by miners in 2000 while digging a new subway for northern Mexico’s Naica Mine. The major chamber includes some biggest real crystals ever seen in one of the undercover caves throughout the globe. 11 meters in length, 4 meters in diameter and weight of 55 tons is the measurement of the cave’s largest crystal found inside. The crystals grew so big because of flaming hot temperature in the cave, about 58°C that let minute crystals to develop and grow.
3. Eisriesenwelt Cave
Eisriesenwelt, which means ‘World of the Ice Giants’ in German, is the biggest ice cave on the planet, measuring 42 km or more and located inside Hochkogel mount (Tennengebirge part of the Alps in Austria). Eisriesenwelt was made by the river, that eroded its way toward the mountain area. The ice structures found inside the cave were developed by melting snow that flowed into cave and then froze on winter.
4. Carlsbad Caverns
Found near Carlsbad, New Mexico, they consider Carlsbad Cavern a National Park. It has its Big Room; a real limestone measures 1,219 by 190 m, and 107 m long at the highest end. It is also known as the 7th biggest cave in the globe. It is designed with stalactites, stalagmites and an unbelievable character of some structures that can be recognized by numerous convenient trails.
5. Reed Flute
Reed Flute Cave or they called it “the Palace of Natural Arts” can be found in the northwest of Guilin (Southern China). A legend says that Reed Flute Cave took its title because the ancient people thought that the reed by this cave’s entrance can be formed into flutes. The limestone cave gives a grand dreamland look of stalactites, stone pillars, plants, stalagmites, birds, animals and stone decorations in wonderful shades and form.
6. Underground River of Puerto Princesa
The Puerto Princesa’s Underground River can be found in Palawan, Philippines. This Underground River was recognized as the world’s longest underground until in 2007 where the title was given to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Underground River. It is 8.2 km long that passes through a magnificent cave before draining into the Sea (South China).
7. Skocjan Caves
Skocjan cave part involves the highest cave chamber found in Europe, huge underground canyon, a bridge over the canyon and waterfalls. The caves have impressive stalagmite and stalactite compositions. The Caves are the product of the falling Reka River. At first, the river settles in the surface but quickly fades again after running underground for 34 km near Adriatic coast.
8. Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves are included in New Zealand’s popular tourist attractions. This can be found outside the main Waitomo town. Waitomo glowworms, small animals that spread their glowing light, can also be seen in the Waitomo Caves. These creatures are just the size of a mosquito and exclusively living in this country. The cave was made over 30,000,000 years ago; the cave has its grand and elegant cave designs, deep limestone bar recognized as Tomo and grand Cathedral cavern identified for its excellent acoustics.
9. Jeita Grotto
Jeita Grotto is composed of two interconnected (separate) karstic limestone caves: lower grotto and upper grotto. Upper gallery consists of the world’s biggest stalactite. Lower gallery has a length of 6,200 m and found 60 m under upper gallery. The lower gallery is crossed by a constant underwater lake and a river.
10. Majlis Al Jinn Cave
It is found in an isolated region of the Selma Plateau, Oman. It has a unique cave chamber that measured about 310 m x 225 m, with a domed cover 120 m high. 178 m under the peak, measured the lowest section of the cave. In perspective size: 12 big planes can fit in the cave. The cave was also designed for adventure climbers. Some plans have been made to make Majlis Al Jinn into an efficient and convenient tourist cave.