Puerto Princesa Underground River, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

-      One of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is indeed one of the most astonishing and amazing cave systems in the world. Located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range about 76 km north of the Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the PPUR is the Longest Underground River in Asia and the Second Longest Underground River in the World with an 8.2 km long traversable underground river that directly flows to the sea.

Also known as St. Paul’s Subterranean River and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the PPUR is actually one of the most protected areas of the Philippines.

What’s the wonder of this underground river is that it is naturally-inspired by Mother Nature. As the New 7 Wonders of Nature stated, “At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge. Monkeys large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.”

Meanwhile, it features a limestone karst mountain landscape with a full mountain landscape with a full mountain to sea ecosystems and protects a forest which includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and even several large chambers inside the underground river.

Just don’t be surprised to see naturally sculpted arrays of stalagmites and stalactites that forms like Pegasus-the winged horse of Hercules, or the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. Not only that, expect to witness the formation of fruits and vegetables inside the cave, religious figures or even the extinct formation of a T-rex.

Fast Facts:

The discovery of 11 minerals, scientifically and aesthetically unique speleothems, and a 20-million year old Serenia fossil permanently embedded in the walls of the cave justifies the declaration of the PPUR as one of the 7 Wonders of Nature.