The most stunning caves in the world

When you think of a cave, you must be imagining a rocky, dark hole in the ground with creepy bats inside. It may surprise you, but not all caves are like this. Despite the fact that most of the caves are formed of limestone, there are other types in the world, for example, ice ones. They all have interesting features such as stalactites, stalagmites, waterfalls. Some even contain religious shrines and art monuments.

The caves described below are crazy in the best sense of the word. They are so unique that when you step inside, you will feel like on another planet. Such beauty is impossible to believe. After checking out the list of 15 stunning caves, chances are you want to go on a serious trip, and even do speleology. Also take a look at article 10 Stunning Structures on Sheer Cliffs.

15. Son Dong Cave, Vietnam

What's a list of steep caves without the largest in the world? Its name translates as “mountain river cave", It is located in Vietnam and is recognized as the largest. The main cave is more than 5 kilometers long and about 200 meters high. Aside from its incredible size, there are other impressive features as well.

Stalagmites up to 70 meters high, unusually large cave pearls. There is also a river flowing through the caves and jungle just beyond, promising spectacular views. To discover the jungle, you don't even need to leave the cave, some actually grow inside. The collapsed roof opens up access to sunlight, and plants actually grow inside the cave.

The temperature difference inside and outside forms fog and clouds in the cave. One can only imagine the thrilling and surreal impression that Song Dong Cave leaves behind.

14. Crystal Cave, Mexico

Located in Nike, Mexico, the Crystal Cave is a sight to behold. In it you can find the largest natural crystals, their size is incredible - up to 12 meters. A magnetic chamber is located under the cave, heated by groundwater saturated with sulfides. Giant selenite crystals are formed due to the extremely slow oxidation of sulfides.

This cave remained unknown until 2000, but the cave in it (the cave of swords) was discovered in 1910. Unfortunately, the crystal cave is difficult to explore due to the high temperature and humidity. Therefore, you should not start booking tickets for travel to Mexico. Despite the limitations, a group of scientists was formed to explore the cave.

13. Fingal's Cave, Scotland

Fingal's Cave is 50 million years old. It is a sea cave and owes its appearance to the list of unique basalt columns and frightening acoustics. (a consequence of sea waves). The cave, located on the volcanic island of Staffa, inspired Pink floyd (named after her one of the unreleased songs) and countless writers and poets.

Through a large arched entrance, visitors enter a cave, 22 meters high and 270 meters deep, lined with huge basalt columns. According to legend, the columns were part of a bridge built by the giant Finn McCool. In reality, the columns are formed as a result of the natural cooling process of lava, from the bottom up and from the center outward.

12. Marble Cave, Chile

The 6000-year-old Marble Cave in Chile is often called one of the most beautiful caves in the world. It can only be reached by boat. She stands in the clear, blue waters of Lake General Carrera in Patagonia, Chile. It was these magical waters that shaped the images reflected by its walls.

The marble walls are rich in calcium carbonate and range in color from gray to white and blue. The patterns on the walls are constantly changing - they depend on the water level (which, in turn, depends on the freezing and melting of nearby glaciers). The long journey from Chile's capital to the cave is definitely worth it.

11. Waitomo Firefly Cave, New Zealand

Waitomo Firefly Cave is one of New Zealand's top attractions, and for good reason. Just look how amazing she looks! Fireflies, Arachnocampa luminosa, reach 2.5-5 centimeters in length and are unique to New Zealand, so it is impossible to see something like this anywhere in the world.

The cave was formed as a result of seismic and volcanic activity and is located at the site of a fault left by an earthquake. Therefore, rainwater easily penetrates into caves, leaving behind deposits of limestone, forming colorful sparkling stalactites. If you visit the caves, you can sail through the Firefly Grotto in an adorable boat. While you sit in the boat in silence, you will be conquered by the sight of the lights of thousands of fireflies to us. This is almost the same as admiring the starry sky.

10. Reed Flute Cave, China

Reed Flute Cave is one of the most stunning and most beautiful limestone caves in the world. Located in Guilin, Guangxi Province of China, the cave has been a major attraction in Guilin for hundreds of years. It was formed 180 million years ago and gets its name from the species growing inside the reed. The species found here are mainly used for making flutes.

The walls of the cave contain records dating back to 700 AD, showcasing its long history as a tourist site. The cave is filled with amazing stalactites and stalagmites like many others. Many formations resemble famous structures such as the Statue of Liberty. But what makes the cave special is its delightful colors, accentuated by artificial lighting.

9. Lascaux Cave, France

If you are familiar with the history of art, then you know about the peculiarity of the Lascaux cave. It is located in southwestern France and is home to some famous prehistoric drawings (from 17,000 BC). Older than the Great Pyramids!

The drawings depict animals: horses, bison, deer. The artists used a variety of techniques, tools and minerals to brighten the drawings. Their meaning is still a subject of controversy. There were also assumptions about their spiritual nature. Isn't it great to visit the world's first art gallery?

8. Cave of swallows, Mexico

The Swallow Cave is unique in the absence of a ceiling. This is called the open air pit of the cave. The distance from the floor to the lowest side is striking, it exceeds 330 meters, securing the first place in the world for the width of the famous cave shaft. The name suggests that the cave is inhabited by swallows, but in fact it is home to white-collar swifts and parrots.

One glance is enough to see flocks of birds freely falling, flying in and out of the cave. And of course, such a structure of the cave opens up many opportunities for extreme sportsmen. The cave is a popular base jumping (skydiving) or wingsuit flight. People even went down to the cave in a hot air balloon.

7. Ice cave, Russia

How amazing is the cave? It looks almost unreal, but it is a real creation of Mother Nature. The cave, carved out of glaciers by hot springs, is located near the Mutnovsky volcano in Kamchatka, Russia. The undulating pattern created by the hot water flows right through. This already inspires awe, but if you take all the surrounding beauty, you get a stunning cave.

Colors are not the result of artificial lighting or Photoshop, they appear as a result of sunlight falling on ice. In places where the ice is thicker, sunlight reveals a beautiful emerald. The 800-meter-long cave was accidentally discovered in 2012 and gave new meaning to the phrase “fire and Ice".Although it could collapse at any moment, photographers and adventurers alike took the risk and it is worth thanking them for the magical photos they provided.

6. Batu Caves, Malaysia

The Batu Cave Complex is one of the most iconic sites in Malaysia. The limestone caves are home to Hindu shrines, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually, especially during the Thaipusam festival. In front of the cave entrance there is a 43-meter statue of the god Murugan - the largest of its kind. It is made of concrete, steel and gilded.

Behind the statue is a steep flight of 272 steps leading to the Batu Caves. There are 3 main caves: containing a shrine, Cathedral (or Temple) cave, art gallery and Ramayana cave, where the story of the god Rama is depicted on the walls. Visitors can also spot macaques and bats inside. Among other things, it is also a popular climbing destination. Regardless of your religious beliefs, exploring the cave is sure to be an entertaining and unique experience.

5. Krubera cave, Abkhazia

We have already examined the widest cave in the world, now it's up to the deepest. Let me introduce you to the Krubera Cave. It is located in Abkhazia, not far from Georgia; the only cave in the world with a depth of more than 2000 meters. Do I need to say more? If you ever feel that you have visited all the places, we recommend this expedition, in fact, a real version of the Journey to the Center of the Earth.

The hike will take about 2 weeks (during which you will have to set up tents and do some cooking). People compare such an expedition to the conquest of an inverted Everest. This trip is definitely worth considering if you are looking for something very special.

4. Bengail Cave, Portugal

Tourist board Pinterest recommends visiting in person or in company the Bengail Sea Cave. From the photograph alone, it is not difficult to guess why she is popular. Indeed, the cave is so striking that the English magazine “AnOther"Named it the most beautiful cave in the world. The limestone cave is carved by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and is located on the southern coast of Portugal, called the Algarve Coast.

This region is worth visiting not only for those interested in caves, but also for those who love beaches (and dolphins). You can get to the cave by kayak or boat, if you want to see it, you should hurry up, because these types of caves eventually collapse.

3. Smu Cave, Scotland

So far, we have seen crystal caves, jungles and Hindu shrines. You will now see a cave that includes another natural wonder. Smu Cave in Scotland is famous for two reasons: its spectacular location and the waterfall inside. It is nestled in a limestone cliff in the flourishing, green Scotland countryside. At a height of about 15 meters is the entrance to one of the largest sea caves in Great Britain.

It is unique, because its inner chamber is carved with seawater, while the inner chamber (with a 20-meter waterfall) is fresh. The back is covered with moss, which gives the cave a more mysterious look. Looking at her, one can imagine how some of the Scandinavian invaders started with her. Indeed, this can explain the presence of Norse artifacts from the Iron Age in the cave. The Smu cave is surrounded by many legends, one of them says that this is the entrance to the afterlife. There is only one way to know if this is true ...

2. Louray Caves, USA, Virginia

Lureyskie caves look spectacular as movie scenery. The cave has gained popularity due to natural formations that resemble famous structures and common objects. There are even some that look like scrambled eggs. The cave itself is more than 7 million years old, and its oldest formations resemble trees. It also contains many multi-layered mineral deposits.

Don't they really look like stone chandeliers? In addition, the caves also contain a reservoir. It can be called a dream lake, reflecting stalactites and creating surreal images. There is even a well of wishes in the cave, about 2 meters deep. However, it is not only the above that makes the Luria Caves special.

The cave is well known for its Large Stalactite Organ, it is a lithophone (a musical instrument that emits sounds similar to xylophone after striking the stalactites). What could be more tempting than attending a classical music concert right in a cave?

1. Mammoth Cave, USA, Kentucky

Have you ever wanted to take a trip through the longest cave in the world? Or maybe you wanted to visit Niagara Falls? You can kill two birds with one stone by visiting Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Indeed Niagara Falls is not located in Kentucky. However, there is something more impressive in Mamotova Cave - the Frozen Niagara. It is worth seeing in person to fully appreciate it.

In addition to the stunning formations, the cave also has a lot to marvel at, such as its size. The cave system stretches for 456 kilometers, excursions for detailed exploration are conducted. Visitors will be able to see the Frozen Niagara, "the suffering of the fat man" (narrow passage), "torment high"(Low pass) and much more.

The cave is located in the National Park. The park itself is an attraction and covers more than 52 thousand hectares. In it you can walk along hiking trails, see wildlife in all its glory, ride horses, and for those who wish there is a zipline. You can spend all day in the park, but get to know it only superficially.