The subterranean river is nominated as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. It was once called the St. Paul underground river. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or PPSRNP They have recently uncovered the fossils of a dugong and some crystal caves!
It is a core area for the Palawan Biosphere Reserve and is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It was also declared as a National Geological Monument. In recognition of global significance, the PPSRNP has been inscribed to the list of natural World Heritage Sites.
The trip from Puerto Princesa city center takes anywhere from an hour and forty to and almost 2 hours to get to the underground river depending on the weather.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of the city center of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is also known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the 28 finalists for the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" competition.
Province of Palawan, Philippines
Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest. Palawan's almost 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of irregular coastline are dotted with roughly 1,780 islands and islets, rocky coves, and sugar-white sandy beaches. It also harbors a vast stretch of virgin forests that carpet its chain of mountain ranges. The mountain heights average 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in altitude, with the highest peak rising to 6,843 feet (2,086 m)at Mount Mantalingahan. The vast mountain areas are the source of valuable timber. The terrain is a mix of coastal plain, craggy foothills, valley deltas, and heavy forest interspersed with riverine arteries that serve as irrigation.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
The site of the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range. It is north-west of Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan Province. The topography varies from flat plains to rolling hinterlands and hills to mountain peaks. Over 90% of the park comprises sharp, karst limestone ridges around Mount St Paul, which is itself part of a series of rounded, limestone peaks aligned on a north-south axis, along the western coast of Palawan.
The focus of the area is a spectacular karst landscape which features both surface karst features (pinnacles, shafts,dolines and limestone cliffs), as well as an extensive underground river system. The subterranean river is 8.2 km long, one of the most unique of its type in the world and includes many speleotherms, several large chambers exist, up to 120 m wide and 60 m high. A distinguishing feature of the river is the fact that it emerges directly into the sea, and that the lower portion of the river is brackish and subject to tidal influences.
The underground river (the Cabayugan River) arises approximately 2 km south-west of Mount Saint Paul at an altitude of 100m, and flows underground for almost its entire length to an outflow into St Paul's Bay. All rivers and associated tributaries are within the park, which is important in relation to catchments impacts on the water quality of the Cabayugan River.
Approximately two-thirds of the site is forested, dominated by hardwood species. Three forest formations are present: lowland, karst and limestone. The karst forest is restricted to small pockets where soils have developed. In the coastal area, mangroves, mossy forest, seagrass beds and coral reefs are also found.
The faunal diversity in the park is moderate, especially with respect to invertebrates. Endemic mammals include the Palawan tree shrew, Palawan porcupine and Palawan stink badger. Dugong has been recorded in the marine component of the park.
Monitor lizard and marine turtles are also present. The Palawan Peacock Pheasant has also been recorded in this site (recognized as an internationally threatened species). The subterranean fauna has not been studied in detail, but comprises fish, prawns, snakes and insects. The tunnel and chambers of the subterranean river are home to abundant populations of swiftlets and bats. Eight species of bat are also found in the cave, and cave swiftlets nest on some of the underground boulder piles. Further studies are required to determine the extent and diversity of the underground fauna.
How to get to Underground River
Palawan- the provincial capitol Puerto Princesa City- can easy be reached by air and sea.From Manila there are 3 -5 flights daily (morning and afternoon ) to Puerto Princesa. You can choose between Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu-Pacific. Cebu Pacific is servicing also 3 to 4 times weekly the route Cebu-Puerto Princesa-Cebu.Also Seair is connecting Puerto Princesa with other destinations in Palawan (Busuanga,El Nido) and from there also with Manila.
Sabang is located on the South-China Sea side of Palawan. It is 80 km away from the City going North-West( Sabang is still part of Puerto Princesa City, even the village is that remote...). The trip will take about 2 - 4 hours by Van or Jeepney.On the way to Sabang you will see amazing Nature and beautiful landscapes. The first 40 km it goes on the new Highway connecting Puerto Princesa with Roxas in the North. In Salvacion is the junction to Sabang.Then you will pass by through the Barangay of Macarascas, then Buenavista with a view on the Tres Maria Islands at the Ulugan Bay, and then later on you will see the Djungel landscape of Tagabinet . Then you will reach the Barangay Cabayugan which is surrounded by high Karst Mountains. Here is already the boundary of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park. You can have your first view on the St. Paul Mountain Range, the source of the Underground River.
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