Places around the world

Pamukkale, Turkey

Please Note: When a site is noted to be part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, that means that there are no current photos taken of the interior.
Egypt, The Underwater Museum by National Geographic My computer was slow but it was sure worth the wait to see the beautiful photos.
Really Big Holes from all over the world.
Malaysia  Batu Caves is a limestone hill, which has a series of caves and cave temples, located in Gombak district.
South Africa Wonder Cave (Kromdraai, Gauteng) and Boesmansgat (this has a sad tale to read about), Cango Caves, Coopers Cave, Plovers Lake, Sterkfontein (Strong Spring) with a few good photos. Wikipedia List of Caves in South Africa.
Ethiopia Sof Omar Caves with lots of history and description and some beautiful photos. Click on "Ethiopia" on the first line to read a long history of Ethiopia. Tools were uncovered in the 1940s at the archaeological site of Gademotta in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. But it was revealed that the tools were far older that earlier finds. Gademotta is an item from National Geographic.
Afghanistan, Tora Bora Cave Complex, this give no history, no description and no photos. It is listed as being a hiding place for terrorists. Wikipedia cites no resources or references. But you can learn much about the taliban.
East Africa, Tanzania, Amboni Caves where there are 10 caves but only one is used for guided tours. It mentions that there is a photo of a rock shaped like the Statue of Liberty. I clicked on it to find a photo of the Statue of Liberty, not a rock.
Burma, Pindaya Caves There is one photos of formations inside the cave but the rest are of the 8,000 statues of Buddha, some very old. Some unusual Legends are noted.
China, Bezekilik Thousand Buddha Caves has some awesome photos, but nothing of the interior of a cave. There is a mention that the are rock-cut and that means that they are man made. Shrines and not actually caves. Mogao Caves are the best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes and of the most famous ancient sculptural sites of China. It too sounds like they are man made and not natural caves. Silk Road the page has lots of information, history and imagery from times ancient. Kizil Caves this page is text only with a little description and history. It mentions 300 "caves" but talks only about the murals on display. Perhaps the rock rooms were made for their storage.  Seven Stars Park, this page is a tourist type advertisement but has lots of history and some nice photos. I followed it from a mention of Seven Stars Cave but there is no other mention of caves. There is a photo saying that what you see from a great distance is a cave entrance but I wonder about that. Shuilian Cave means Water Curtain Cave and is in an area featured in the famed Chinese novel "Journey to the West." Don't know the novel and don't know the money. Sounds like poetry with no photos. Zhoukoudian is a World Heritage Site. This Wikipedia page has lots of information and wonderful photographs. I had always heard of the "Peking Man" but had never seen or heard of the rest of this historical account. If you enjoy reading detailed history, you will spend hours following the information provided.
Georgia, New Athos Cave is described by this Wikipedia page as being one of the largest Caves in the world. Voronya Cave is boasted as being the deepest known cave on the Earth. At the bottom of the page, see External Links. Find the National Geographic article and while it took a LONG time for it to open, it is well worth the wait. There is a photo of the team, read the text and click on "Continue" but read quickly. Of course you can go back and read it all again but you will find wonderful photos that make you glad there are those people who can go to the extremes to set new records. Not me, that is just too wet and way cold. Oh, and dark.
India, Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, India There are 29 caves but you can see photos of some of the beautiful paintings, facades, porches and carvings. There is a list of World Heritage sites at the bottom of the page. Much to read about. Badami Cave Temples are examples of India's rock-cut architecture. Lots of beautiful photographs. Bagh Caves are renowned for mural paintings. They are not natural caves but another example of Indian rock-cut architecture. Like those of Ajanta, they were excavated by craftsmen on a perpendicular rock face. Belum Caves are beautiful caves and this page has plenty of fine photos. It sounds steep and very deep. Check out that stairway that goes downward. I get tired just thinking about climbing out again. Borra Caves have an interesting history with legend and tales. This page has only one photo though. Just click on the image to see it in the large version. Elephanta Caves are a World Heritage Site. They are rock-cut complexes and have survived well despite the incredible abuse over the ages. Ellora Caves are another example of rock-cut architecture. Enjoy the beautiful photos and read all the history. The Jogeshwari Caves are described as being the earliest Hindu cave temple sculptures. They are flooded with sewage and waste and are "infested with bats." Kanheri Caves have many rock-cut chambers and a very long stairway cut into the rock. Karla Caves is another complex of cave shrines in the rock-cut architecture. There is a little history and a few photos of the carvings and surroundings. Krem Liat Prah is the longest natural cave in India. This page has almost no description and no photos. Mahakali Caves are Buddhist caves dating back almost 2,000 years. They are carved out of a solid black basalt rock. Two photos and almost no history or description. Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are a World Heritage Site with many rock paintings. The shelters exhibit traces of human life back to the Stone Age, approximately 9,000 years old. Varaha Cave Temple is another example of the Indian rock-cut architecture dating from the late 7th century. There are two photos and just a little bit of history.
Indonesia, Liang Bua Cave is on the Island of Flores. The findings that the "Man of Flores" aka known as Hobbit were questioned and it doesn't sound like they were verified. The remains were discovered of individuals with small bodies and brains but dated 18,000 years old. Click on the Homo floresiensis to learn more. There is one photo from inside the cave. Looks to be a dark place. Maharani Cave notes that this is a phosphate mining cave. But the webpage for the cave, click here, has a few photos. The text is very hard to understand and tells very little. You do forget that it is a mine.
Iran, Ali Sadr Cave is in western Iran. A very large cave containing several large, deep lakes and a river flowing through it. It was originally discovered between 521 - 485 BC but knowledge of its existence was lost and only rediscovered in 1978. There is little more information and 4 photos, two of which are alike. Karaftu Cave is called an important cave. There is almost no information and one photo. But it is of an enormous cave with no formations at all.
Israel, Ayalon Cave is a large limestone cave discovered in 2006. It was completely cut off from the outside and remains closed to the public to allow scientific investigation to continue undisturbed. Of course, no photos. Avshalom Cave is a large cave unique for its dense concentration of stalactites some of which have been dated as 300,000 years old. It was not discovered until 1968 but is open for travelers and is located in the heart of the Avshalom Nature Reserve. Cave of Letters is a cave located in the Dead Sea area that contained one of the largest caches of ancient documents and personal correspondence ever discovered in the land of Israel. Read the NOVA article about Cave of Letters. Most interesting, indeed. The Cave of the Patriarchs is a series of caves in a complex. The names and meanings are unclear. The information is limited. The one photo looks like a prison fortress around the caves. It is a mosque and there are a few other photos. The Hezekiah or Siloam Tunnel was dug underneath Jerusalem about 701 BC. It was probably the widening of a existing cave. Warren's Shaft is an archaeological feature of Jerusalem. It was a natural fissure that was enlarged as the tunnel was created. Interesting reading. Zedekiah's Cave is actually a limestone quarry dug out over a period of several thousand years. Lots to read and some interesting links. This article sheds new light on David and Goliath. It is the biblical city of Sha'arayim. This is a National Geographic Article with several excellent photos. The Masada is long known but never found. Herod's legacy is one of despising his cruelty. This National Geographic article gives you a little info but many beautiful photographs.
Japan  Abukuma-do, this page has photos and history. The nearby Abukuma Cave is smaller and was discovered in 1927 while Abukuna-do was not discovered until 1969. Akiyoshi plateau is an area of uplifted reef limestone. Awesome photos but look to the middle of the page for the Akiyoshi-do where it tells about the cave which was discovered in 1925. There is a photo of the entrance and a bit of description.
Korea, Hwanseon Cave is located in South Korea. It is one of the largest limestone caves in Asia and sound like it has not been fully explored. Seems difficult to access and very wet when you do get there. Songam Cavern is a series of karst caves in North Korea. It seems to be a well developed show and tourist cave. Wikipedia has redone much of the page but the one page about the caverns does not work.
Laos, Pak Ou Caves are a group of caves only accessible by boat well known for their hundreds of mostly wooden Buddhist figures laid out over the floors and wall shelves. Almost no description or text but there are 2 photos.
Lebanon, Jeita Grotto is a compound of limestone caves made up of two caves. The lower cave was rediscovered in 1836 and the upper gallery was discovered in 1958. Find lots of geology, description and history. Some good photos but don't know who the statue is.
Malaysia, List of Caves in Malaysia, Batu Caves are a series of caves and a popular Hindu shrine. There are a few photos and a little history but it is seen as a shrine of the Hindu people. Niah Caves is located in part of Niah National Park.  Human remains were found dating back 40,000 years. Gomantong Caves are described as being a place for the harvest of bat guano and birds' nests for making of soup. Limited history and text with no photos. Caves and Limestone Hills of Malaysia by Liz Price has lots and lots of information and even some photos. Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It encompasses incredible caves and karst formations in a mountainous rainforest setting. Many caves expose parts of a long underground river going through the park. Access is practical only by air but can be reached by boat which would take 12 hours to complete while the flight takes only 30 minutes. Ipoh is a city in Malaysia. This page gives much information and photos to the city and its history. About 2/3 down the page is the listing for "limestone caves" and there is one photo and some description of the caves. They are mainly used as shrines and for mining of crushed stone and cement. It looks that there is little effort to the preservation of the caves.
Mongolia, while there was a long list of caves in Mongolia, none of them had any information available. At the end of this list, I will add what I had worked from where you can find names if that would help anyone.
Nepal, Maratika Cave is the only cave listed for Nepal. Near Mount Everest, it is a monastery. The page has little information and no photos.
Oman, Majlis al Jinn is the 8th largest cave chamber in the world. The entrances to the caverns were not discovered until 1983 by Geologist Don Davidson. While there are no formations at all, no water pools or falls, it is well worth a look just to see the gigantic size of this cave. Wow. This was the only listing for Oman but there was a mention of another cave being a show cave with hopes for making this one a show cave as well. Don't know how they'd do that.
Philippines, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The river winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. Callao Cave has 7 chambers and is a well known tourist attraction. The chambers have natural crevices which let light into the caves, serving as illumination for the otherwise dark areas. Little info and no photos. Hinagdanan Cave is naturally lighted by sunlight filtering through holes in the ceiling. The underground lake is a popular swimming spot but tests high for pollutants since it is fed by ground runoff. Huluga Caves is a prehistoric site located in the south end of the city of Cagayan de Oro. Little has been done to recover artifacts and date the findings.
Russia, Sugomak Cave is located in Ural. It is the only cave developed in marble by water, contains three grottos connected by narrow passages, the third is partially filled by water. Almost no history or description and two photos of the exterior. Ignateva cave is a large limestone cave on the banks of the Sim River. Many animal remains have been found as well as cave paintings and microliths. Little info and no photos.

Kap-Kutan cave... The cave system of Kap-Kutan or more precisely Cupp-Coutunn is despite its somewhat remote location one of the few caves mentioned in classic literature.

Asia : Turkmenistan : Giant aragonite and gypsum crystals in the Kap-Kutan cave system

Coordinates : about 37,44°'N , 66,26°'W : Kap-kutan cave system, Kugitangau mountains, Tienshan, Turkmenistan, 

Visit the site and at the bottom right where it says for more images, go. They are beautiful.  Yes, this is Russia and has been described by historians since 49BC. But they are rural and very remote. No tours or such.

Sri Lanka, Fa Hien Cave is perhaps named for a Buddhist monk. It is important for the Late Pleistocene human skeletal remains discovered in the 1960s and 1980s.
Thailand, Tham Hua Kalok (means Skull Cave) is in southern Thailand. The cave contains prehistoric paintings in black and red pigment of humans and strange animals. It is within the Than Bok Khorani National Park. No other info, no photos. Tham Lot is a cave system in northern Thailand. It is home to a large number of bats and swifts. There is a list of other caves in Thailand, most large and not entered until the 1980s. No other info or photos.
Tuvalu, The discovery of the Caves of Nanumanga was made because of interest aroused by a local legend. According to the legend, there existed a "large house under the sea." The scuba diving expedition in 1986 led to the discovery. Little info and no photos.
Vietnam, Hang Son Doong is a newly found series of infinite caverns. Huge? Extraordinary. There are other names given to the many caves. I cannot pronounce any of them. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park was created to protect one of the world's two largest karst regions with 300 caves and grottoes. Find much information and history, a map and lots of photos. Tam Coc - Bich Dong is a three cave excursion reached by small boats along the Ngo Dong river. There is little more information and no history. But there is a beautiful photograph. Marble Mountains is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills. All of the mountains have cave entrances and tunnels The area is famous for stone sculpture making and stone cutting crafts. Only a little more info and no photos. Recently discovered: Son Doong Cave the largest single cave passage yet found. First explored earlier this year by a joint British-Vietnamese team, the cave measures at least 262-by-262 feet (80-by-80 meters) in most places and is at least 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) long.
Assorted Information:

-Large, coralliform aggregates - so called "Eisenblüte" (iron flower) is known from various localities, most famous being the occurrences at the Erzberg in Styria, Austria.

- Yellow transparent crystals up to 20 cm are known from Horenec near Bilina, Czech Republic. Another famous find from the Czech Republic is the "Karlsbader Sprudelstein", where aragonite forms large white nodules in the thermal springs of Karlovy Vary.

- Both Morocco (Tazouta) and Spain (Minglanilla) has produced aragonite thrilling crystals up to 20 cm and more.

- Tsumeb - one of the most prolific mineral localities known - has also produced large aragonite (variety tarnowitzite) crystals up to 20 cm.

Natural Bridge Caverns This site shows wording in??? Russian. A search on google shows the only Natural Bridge Caverns to be in Texas. There is much wording in a language not English. These could not be Natural Bridge Cavers since there are 4 pages and do not seem to be of the same cave.
 

List of Caves from Around the World from Wikipedia.

Deserts of the world