Considered as a gateway to the past and as a testament to the development of the planet, the world's largest caves are always a destination that attracts the attention of explorers. Possessing many underground waters, utopian rock formations with magical beauty, the caves below also make us surprised at their greatness to the point of being able to accommodate a skyscraper of dozens of floors.
1. Top 10 largest caves in the world in Asia
1.1. Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
Large enough to accommodate a 40-story skyscraper, Hang Son Doong in Vietnam is proud to be recognized as the world's largest natural cave. Son Doong in Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province, was discovered in 1991 by a man living in a nearby forest and in 2009 was surveyed and measured.
The giant cave is more than 400 million years old with a total length of nearly 9km, a large cave dome, with a volume of up to 38.5 million m3. The interior contains many stalactites up to more than 80m high, lush primeval forests, its own ecosystem and endless underground rivers. Oxalis Adventures is the only expedition company that organizes tours of Son Doong Cave.
1.2. Hang Miao Room, China
Miao Room in Ziyun Getu He Chuandong National Park, China is one of the largest caves on the planet, after Son Doong. The volume of the cave is 10.78 m3, accessible only through underground flow, the length is 852 m, the widest part is 192.9 m. Just like Son Doong, coming to Miao Room cave you can fly inside by plane – a wonderful experience.
1.3. Mulu Cave, Borneo
Mulu Cave is home to a huge population of hundreds of bats and is also the largest cave in the world found in Gunung Mulu National Park on the island of Borneo. Some of the most impressive cave structures can be seen at Mulu, along with the largest underground tunnels in the world, taking visitors on a maze-like excursion.
1.4. Shuanghedong Cave System, China
The Shuanghedong Cave Network is the longest cave in Asia, located in Guizhou, China. Spanning over 242km, the network of caves was discovered in 1987 and is a prime example of an underground ecosystem with at least three rivers in the lower levels of the cave, as well as several waterfalls. .
In these waters are living creatures such as fish and salamanders. Since its discovery in the late 1980s, many expeditions have been made in an attempt to map the passageways and uncover the secrets of one of the most extensive caves on the planet.
1.5. Clearwater cave system, Malaysia
Located in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, the Clearwater Limestone Cave System consists of a series of interconnected caves rather than just a single cave. Discovered in the late 1970s, this world's largest cave in Malaysia, located in Gunung Mulu National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the Clearwater cave system, one finds an underground river, as well as countless unique rock formations, special passages. However, an interesting thing is that until now no one knows the true size of this cave.
2. The world's largest caves in America and Europe
2.1. Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, USA
So far, it is not clear how far Mammoth Cave extends, but it is still considered the longest cave in the world. The length of the closest cave ever measured is 676km, through tracking new caves in the network are constantly being discovered.
on who explored Mammoth Cave for more than 4,000 years, and today, it remains a major Kentucky tourist attraction on tour of America. A particularly stunning cave, there are various forms of stalactites created by groundwater seeping through the cave's limestone ceiling over millennia.
2.2. Sac Actun Cave, Mexico
Not the largest cave in the world, but Sac Actun in Mexico is extremely attractive to explorers because of its unique underwater system, with new parts constantly being discovered. Sac Actun is 263km long and is located northeast of Tulum, estimated to be 10,000 years old. This natural destination will not disappoint explorers with its beauty and grandeur and archaeological value promising to decipher the mysteries of human life in ancient times. Mayan civilization.
2.3. Sistema Dos Ojos Cave, Mexico
Located in Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Sistema Dos Ojos is another giant cave in the Americas discovered in 1987 and has been of interest to explorers ever since. Running for more than 323 km, this limestone cave connects to the world's largest underwater cave, Sistema Sac Atun. Archaeologists have discovered information related to an ancient civilization inside the cave of Sistema Dos Ojos.
2.4. Jewel Cave, South Dakota, USA
Explore the largest caves in the world, not to be missed Jewel Cave of South Dakota, USA. Nestled in the Black Hills National Forest, this gem boasts stunning landscapes below ground as well as above. The name Jewel Cave comes from the colorful crystals found that adorn the interior corners of the cave like sparkling gems.
2.5. Sistema Ox Bel Ha Cave, Mexico
Mexico's Sistema Ox Bel Ha was discovered in 1996, located near the Sistema Dos Ojos cave system. This is one of the oldest caves in the world believed to have formed about 18,000 years ago. The name Ox Bel Ha comes from the Mayan language and translates to "Three Paths of Water" and the cave is also an outstanding source of fresh water in the area.
2.6. Optymistychna Cave, Ukraine
As the longest plaster cave on the planet, Optymistychna is located in Korolivka, Ukraine spanning more than 260km and is divided into 10 different zones based on the structure of the passage and the types of plaster found inside. Optymistychna Cave is considered an extremely complex maze, difficult to explore even for professional explorers.
2.7. Wind Cave, South Dakota, USA
Wind Maze Cave has a complex structure and incredible underground passages that are no less than any name on this list of the largest caves in the world. 241km long, not only is the scenery picturesque, Wind Cave also serves as a protective habitat for local wildlife.
2.8. Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico, USA
Lechuguilla Cave owns a length of 222.6 km located in Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the state of New Mexico, USA. A limestone and gypsum cave, Lechguilla is full of interesting mineral formations. Discovered in the 1950s, this cave still attracts the attention of geologists around the world.
2.9. Hölloch Cave, Switzerland
Hölloch is one of the largest caves in the world, with a length of up to 195 km starting from about the middle of the Muota River to the Pragelpass area, Switzerland. Also known as Hell's Hole, the cave was first discovered in 1875, with its striking limestone structures and underground waterways.
