Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Located at the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of Palawan Province is a park that features a stunningly beautiful landscape of limestone karsts within the underground river. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is also known as St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park. A short hike from the town of Sabang would lead the tourist to the entrance of the Park.

The park was created in 1971 under the protection of Department of Environment and Natural Resources but was transferred to the governance of Puerto Princesa Palawan in 1992. In 1999 the UNESCO recognized the park and inscribed on the list of World Heritage.

The park has a core zone of 5,753 ha and has an elevation of 1,028 m above sea level. It consist of various landforms, the most striking is the limestone formation of the karts mountain. The physical feature of the area varies from flat plains to the sloping hinterlands. Its main attraction is the magnificent subterranean river that has a length of 8.2 km and flows directly into South China Sea. The underground river is enveloped by major formation of stalactites and stalagmites with a number of chambers that reaches 60 m high and as wide as 120 m.

The rich vegetation of the park includes the mangroves, mossy forests and seagrass beds and coral reefs in the marine portion. The two-thirds of the reserve vegetation are naturally dominated by big hard wood species. The area also represents a noticeable degree of biodiversity. At the entrance of the cave is a clear lagoon surrounded by ancient trees growing right the water’s edge.

In order to protect and conserve this natural wonder, the local government of Puerto Princesa extended the restrictions of the area and reinforces strict guidelines for the preservation of the said site.

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Date of Inscription: 1999
click to visit UNESCO page