Er Wang Dong Cave System
“Er Wang Dong (“Second Royal Cave”) is a large cave in the Wulong Karst region, in Wulong County of Chongqing Municipality of China. Current known length of its passages is 42,139 metres (138,251 ft) with a maximum depth of 441 m (1,447 ft). It is large enough to contain its own weather system. The cave starts in the 195 m (640 ft) deep Niubizi tiankeng (sinkhole) and also contains the 295 m (968 ft) deep Qingkou tiankeng. Er Wang Dong cave has formed in Lower Ordovician limestone and is located close to another very large cave system – San Wang Dong, which contains one of the largest cave chambers in the world – Cloud Ladder Hall. Both caves were explored by Hong Meigui Cave Exploration Society. Local people make weather forecast based on the observations in Niubizi tiankeng – if there is a fog coming from the cave, rain is expected”. – Wikipedia
“A team of expert cavers and photographers had been exploring caves in the Chongquing province of China – when they were amazed to discover the entrance to a hidden cave that was previously undiscovered. And they were stunned when they managed to enter the ginormous cave – and found that it was so large there was even a cloud inside it –
a cave so large it has its own weather system. Photographer and caver Robbie Shone, from Manchester, was part of a team of 15 explorers on a month-long expedition who stumbled across the natural wonder”. – Caters News
American speleologist Erin Lynch leads Lars Abromeit down a steeply descending path into a deep gorge on the way to Er Long Dong and Cloud Ladder Hall.
Climbing the rope up a vertical section of cave known as a pit in Xinu Attic.
Suspended on a thin rope, engulfed in cloud and lost in time, a tiny figure is dwarfed by the sheer size on a monumental scale of Cloud Ladder Hall. The beam of light cast by anothers head torch pierces the fog yet illuminates nothing. This naturally formed room is so large it has its own weather system going.
Large stalagmites at the foot of a giant ascending ramp to another level of development in San Wang Dong create a spectacle mid way through a section of cave called Crusty Duvets.
Calmer waters crystal clear pools and slow moving streams make it easier to explore Quankou Dongs main river passage.
Blind Fish without any eyes swim around in small pools of water in Qi Dong.
Perfectly situated in the middle of the passage this giant calcite stal boss makes a huge statement. Dwarfed by it's sheer size, Hong Meigui team member; Matt Ryan can only look up in amazement. This is one of many gigantic formations in San Wang Dong.
The view back towards the towering entrance and the main river passage in Quankou Dong. Thick beds of limestone break through towards the ceiling high up above the floor of the cave.