A World Heritage Site of Palawan Underground River

[PeterG]

The world’s longest navigable underground river is found in Palawan, Philippines. One of the tourist attractions of Palawan, this underground Palawan River has gained worldwide recognition for being a world heritage site. Formerly known to be St. Paul’s Cave by the ancient people, this underground Palawan River was handed down to generations has revolved to be named as St. Paul’s Underground River National Park. Until March 26, 1971 by virtue of a Proclamation No. 835 the underground Palawan River was officially named Puerto Princessa Subterranean River National Park.

Strategically located 8.1 kilometers away from the city proper of Puerto Princessa, the underground Palawan River is located at Bahile town of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The enchanting place of the underground Palawan River can be reached in two ways either through a pump boat ride or trekking through a monkey trail. An alternative route can be taken to reach Bahile town via a pump boat ride from the Bahile wharf. After the pump boat ride, about 2.1 kilometer trek is needed to reach the river entrance.

The pump boat ride on the way to the underground Palawan River is also an entertaining sight of the Palawan coasts. The monkey trail however could be more fun when you desire to see loose naughty monkeys throughout the trail. Along the trail leading to the underground Palawan River are monitor lizards locally known as “bayawak” are usually seen as running, climbing trees or simply resting along the trail side. Traveling on the way to the famous underground Palawan River is an exciting experience already.

As you reach the entrance to the underground Palawan River you need a banca to transport you through a lagoon and directly into the mouth of the cave entrance to navigate the 8 kilometer River stretch. The first 4 kilometers is considered to be navigable. Upon entrance to the river, the cave is filled with darkness that engulfs the place with a mystical ambience. The single light source to the dark cavern only comes from kerosene in the banca. Every turn will reveal magnificent beauties of stalactite and stalagmites that are formed in various shapes, mostly resembling that of religious image, birds and fruits.

Emerging from the River’s entrance is a welcoming light that reflects the cool, blue green waters of the lagoon. The marble and limestone rocky mountains as land forms surrounding the Palawan River Park are a delightful sight.

Because of the outstanding natural and cultural assets found in Palawan, efforts are now being taken to support and preserve the underground Palawan River and other natural beauties the island offer for the benefit of the future generations of the country and to gain global recognition of the beauty of Palawan Island.

[PeterG]

Sabang Underground River gained its recognition to be one of the World’s Heritage Site meriting it to the wonders of nature’s beauty found in its underground river. The exhilarating beauty of Palawan River merit Palawan as one of the most famous tourist site in the Philippines.

Originally Posted by PeterG

Sabang Underground River gained its recognition to be one of the World’s Heritage Site meriting it to the wonders of nature’s beauty found in its underground river. The exhilarating beauty of Palawan River merit Palawan as one of the most famous tourist site in the Philippines.

Definately a must see site.....

Jerry

[The Dane]

I was there with my parents in January /February...

We loved the Underground River, I probably would never stay in Sabang again, it is too far out and too basic for my liking, but it is a beautiful area and the local government is doing an ACE job keeping tourists happy in the area as well.

Through time, the name had evolved from St. Paul Subterranean River to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River (UNESCO) currently Puerto Princesa Underground River (new7wonder shortlist), it is part of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or PPSRNP.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with its underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it flows directly into the sea, and the lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full mountain to the sea ecosystem and protects forests..

I remember, cruising a subterranean river is like entering the bowels of earth, sounded eerie? Well that’s how I felt when I first entered the St. Paul Subterranean River in 1996, before UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1999. The road we traversed from the city center to Sabang was in dire condition and there was no port (or pseudo port) in Sabang then, nevertheless tour organizers and local travel agencies offered same Underground River day-tour packages being offered now.

The day tour is a combination of road-sea- river travel. Tour operators provide buffet lunch; transfers and entrance fee, there are a few stops in this trip.

What to expect?

to see (monkeys, monitor lizards, green foliage and possibly snakes too)
to get tired ( road trip – boat transfer – river cruise-boat trip-lunch&swim-road trip)
to get wet ( whether intentional or not)

Was able to repeat my underground river experience last December, except for a small portion undergoing repair, most of our road travel was perfect. Sabang has improved too, a small docking area for outrigger ferry visitors to the beach leading to Puerto Princesa Underground River. Relative to what I experienced then, I’ve observed an orderly system now. Banca operators strictly follow the restrictions on load limit and provision of lifesaving/floating devices while tour vehicles parks on allotted parking areas only and visitors take lunch on the designated restaurants in a small section of Sabang Beach.

Hope that the order will be sustained (let’s vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River in the search for new7 wonders of Nature New7Wonders: Welcome to the official global voting platform of New7Wonders )

[The Dane]

It got my vote too

Thanks.......but guys we are falling behind, PP underground river went down to 6th place in the current tally.

Please pass the word and continue campaigning to vote for PUERTO PRINCESA Underground River to be one of the New7Wonder-Nature.