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Puerto Princesa Subterranean River: Truly, God’s Masterpiece

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One good reason for a visitor not to forget the Philippines is its natural wonders, to mention one is Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Natinal Park or the Puerto Princesa Underground River . It is beautifully “architectured” by its Creator and every detail has been carefully crafted. Extraordinary sceneries with placid flowing river that breaks through an underground beauty will greatly fill your cravings of adventures.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, current finalist of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, is located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is also known as St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang. (from wikipedia.org)

The park has a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 kilometer navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences.

The area also represents a habitat for biodiversity conservation. The area contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia. Birds comprise the largest group of vertebrates found in the Park to which a total of 165 species of birds were found in the park from the total of 252 bird species known to occur in Palawan. There are also some 30 mammal species that have been recorded. Most often observed in the forest canopy and along the shoreline feeding during low tide is the long-tailed macaque. Other mammal species in the Park are the Bearded pig, Bearcat, Palawan stink badger and the Palawan porcupine. 19 species of reptiles have also been identified, eight of which are endemic. It was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site on December 4, 1999.

The Park has a range of forest formations representing eight of the thirteen forest types found in tropical Asia, namely forest over ultramafic soils, forest over limestone soils, montane forest, freshwater swamp forest, lowland evergreen tropical rainforest, riverine forest, beach forest, and mangrove forest. Researchers have identified more than 800 plant species from 300 genera and 100 families. These include at least 295 trees dominated by the dipterocarp type of species.

Other exciting features that awaits the visitors are extreme activities such as rock climbing, bird watching, seeing mangrove trees, touring in Sabang river and a chance in planting mangrove in designated areas.

The site is nominated to the New7Wonders of Nature. We hope to count your vote in.

If you have plans to visit the park please contact below

Field Operations:
JAMES ALBERT A. MENDOZA
Park Superintendent
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park,
Puerto Princesa City, 5300,
Philippines
Mobile: +63(918)9103440
Email: jamas@puerto-undergroundriver.com

For Information and Reservation Please Contact:
PPSRNP Booking Office
No. 11 National Highway, Junction 1,
Bgy. San Miguel,
Puerto Princesa City, 5300,
Philippines
Tel.: +63(48)434-2509, +63(48)7230904
Telefax: +63(48)433-2409
E-mail: info@puerto-undergroundriver.com

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