1. Reed Flute Cave
Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, China was discovered during the Tang Dynasty almost 1,300 years ago.
Far below the Earth’s surface, where the sun rarely penetrates, is a world of twinkling glow worms, precious gems and limestone caves and mountains, a land inhabited by nature alone. Within this world are visions to rival many landscapes decorating our horizon; lakes lie still and calm, great networks of caves know no borders, and rivers and rivulets carve an ever-evolving terrain.
We invite you to explore this remarkable subterranean domain through these incredible images we’ve complied for your viewing pleasure.
2. Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar Gorge is Britain’s biggest canyon and is found within the Cheddar Caves, where the UK’s oldest complete human skeleton was found in 1903. Known as the Cheddar Man, the remains were estimated to be 9,000 years old.
3. Hamilton Pool
Hamilton Pool Preserve, in Austin, Texas, was created quite naturally when the dome of an underground cave collapsed revealing this stunning natural pool. It is now frequented by day-trippers and naturalists. That’s naturalists not naturists, although no doubt someone has tried to go skinny dipping at one point!
Hamilton Pool from another perspective
When there’s been heavy rainfall, 45ft waterfalls cascade from the rim of the cavern. It must be pretty spectacular when you’re bathing.
4. Luray Caverns
Stalagtites adorn the roof of Luray Caverns, Virginia, the still waters throwing a perfect reflection.
5. Wookey Hole
Legend has it that early cavemen inhabited Wookey Caves in Somerset, England.
6. Mellisani Caves
This underground lake in Mellisani Caves, near Kefalonia, was found when the roof of the cave collapsed after an earthquake in 1953.
7. Lechuguilla Cave
Lechuguilla Cave, in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico is the fifth longest cave discovered yet at 120 miles (193 km) long and measures 489 metres (1,604 ft) deep, making it the deepest in continental United States.
8. Macan Che
This underground lake near Macan Ché on the Yucatán Peninsula is one of many that are considered to be gifts from the gods by the Mayans, and therefore sacred.
9. Cavern Lake Mexico
The limestone flow feeding into this underground lake in Mexico resembles a waterfall turned to stone. Maybe the Ice Queen is privy to this particular cavern?
10. Underwater Cave, Banff
10. How long must it have taken for this little waterfall in Banff, Canada, to make this underwater lake?
If you want to find out all the latest news on the environment, why not subscribe to our RSS feed?



Shawn (not verified) says:
No mention of the Lost Sea in Sweetwater Tennessee? [http://www.thelostsea.com/] Largest underground lake in the world.

kyle (not verified) says:
http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/hamilton_pool.asp
I live and austin an go to hamiltons pool often. i dont think it is 23 miles wide, infact i can tell you it isnt. your pictures make it look lots bigger than it is. i encourage anyone to go and check it out. beware, cows graze above the pool and when it rains, manure gets put into the water. this creates high bacteria levels in which you cannot swim, so check the website before going.

yoshi (not verified) says:
you spelled #6 wrong. it's Millasani. even that, I'm not sure about, but you definitely have the letters mixed up....Ls before Ss.

Jo (not verified) says:
What is the name of the lake that's in Banff, Canada? I live in Edmonton and have been visiting Banff all my life, but have never heard of this lake.


The Lion (not verified) says:
Amazing. These photos are beautiful! I can't help but imagine what other beauties are hidden beneath the surface of the Earth. Sadly, some things are probably best left hidden, lest we harm them.

Sukhy Singh (not verified) says:
The one in Banff, Canada is Spectacular ! my honeymoon destination? may be.


Brian (not verified) says:
Don't forget about the Waitomo glow worm cave in New Zealand! The cave itself is not so amazing, but the ceiling is home to thousands of insects that glow with an eerie blue light. It's one of the most amazing things I've seen...


Mr. Ferris (not verified) says:
Glad to see Messalini mentioned. I was there years ago and it's truly beautiful.


Pedro (not verified) says:
Lechuguilla was breathtaking in Planet Earth. Stunning footage and undoubtedly a treat to be able to witness first-hand, though most of us probably never will.

Sacha (not verified) says:
Plitvice Lakes in Croatia are the most beautiful I've seen
Linda says:
Thanks guys for the heads up. I stand corrected.
23 miles would be a mighty wide lake, eh? and Yoshi, all changed, no wonder I couldn't find more info on Messalini Lake!
L

More (not verified) says:
How about some high(er) resolution shots? The thumbnails are nice and all, but something a bit bigger would make this sooo much better.



puckstopper9 (not verified) says:
*waits for #5's picture to be photoshopped for a Half-Blood Prince poster* Very beautiful places though.

Tracy (not verified) says:
Absolutely beautiful. I would love to visit some of these great sites in the future.

Andrew (not verified) says:
The one in Banff is a hot spring and the 'lake' is about 10 feet across and it flows out of the cave and down into a valley. It probably takes a couple hours to fill the 'lake'. Do your research before posting stuff on websites..


AZ (not verified) says:
I am also glad to see Melissani (correct sp) mentioned at #6. Beautiful place even though I'm a bit biased being from the island and all. Also, Melissani is located On the island of Kefalonia, not "near" it.

Jim T (not verified) says:
Glad to See Hamilton Pool. I've lived in Austin for over 30 years, and when I was younger and more of a risk taker, it was some of the best cliff diving in Texas. There's one point that's over 60 feet above the water. Beautiful pics, thanks!




audrey (not verified) says:
The one in Borneo, Mulu Caves is pretty awesome too.
http://mpalace.tripod.com/maptour/mulucave.htm

Steve N. Lee (not verified) says:
These are stunning images.
I've actually been scuba diving through an underwater cave complex in Mexico. It's incredible to swim amongst the stalagtites and stalagmites, and some of the colours you get are unbelievable. There were access holes in places allowing natural light in but mostly you just used a powerful flashlight.
Strangely, despite the fact you could very easily die down there, it wasn't claustrophobic in the least. I think the sheer marvel of the place completely dispells any such negative thoughts.
For non-divers there are caves you can explore on foot or swim in. It's a wonderful experience I'd recommend to anyone.
Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
and suspense thriller 'What if...?'

dj pigg (not verified) says:
Great pictures!
Hamilton Pool (2 & 3) looks very much like the pool in the great film 'Teeth'.

web design (not verified) says:
A lot of these places were featured on Planet Earth by the BBC (later adapted and re-narrated by Discovery Channel).
If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and go watch it. Whether you;'re an environmentalist or not, the sheer beauty this planet holds that has been completely untouched by humans, is astounding.

Ernie (not verified) says:
They are all beautiful wish I could visit each one of them. The pictures are good but I bet it does not give the place justest. One has to be there to see it in all it's beatuifuties...



tyo (not verified) says:
Waaa very good-looking. There could for the party of sex..?

nedir (not verified) says:
Especially 8. image is looking very fantastic. Also in our country we have an underwater lake like this.(Pamukkale)

Allan (not verified) says:
Description for #7, you say "Continental United States", the United States isn't a continent, its a country. The continent is called America, sometimes "The Americas", and modern atlases have split it into two continents, North America and South America, the United States of America is a COUNTRY in the CONTINENT of North America.
Other than that, its a nice collection of pictures.
Linda says:
Thanks for all the pics and correct clarifications. Glad you liked them.
And in answer to your comment, Allan:
I’m very aware of the layout of the continents thanks, but I think you’ll find that there is a continental United States. Here’s what wiki says, but there are many other versions too:
“The term continental United States sometimes refers to the 48 contiguous states located on the North American continent south of the border with Canada, plus the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.”
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_United_States



KCo (not verified) says:
When I heard stories about underground water in childhood, I didn't really think it was real. Thank you so much for publishing these breath-taking photos!

seamus o'toole (not verified) says:
photoshopped, all of them, i can tell by the pixels...
everything on the net is photoshopped
FACT.
FTW.

Edward Grooms (not verified) says:
These are some of the most spectacular places on this earth that I have ever seen,I do hope to visit some of them, someday. Thank you for bringing these photographs to those of us that are unable to go to them.

Edward Grooms (not verified) says:
Hey Allen, thanks for the geographical lesson, do you think you could appreciate the efforts of those that bring to you, these amazing places, rather than spoil them with your trivial knowledge.


danial (not verified) says:
Good to see such marvelous and amazing places created by Almighty God.
Perhaps , saifulmalook,pakistan is as likewise amazing & gorgeous.
one can try to rediscover the rythem and flow of ice water at an height of 12000 feet or so,.

zargham (not verified) says:
Pakistan is gifted with delightful scenaries of KAGAN VALLEY, BALTISTAN VALLEY,NARAN VALLEY,CHITRAL VALLEY,SAKARDU VALLEY .One can see and admire the beatifulness of such places while on tour through pakistan.Great inspiration for nature lover,hikers,mountaniers,tourists,and travellers of all times.




ejd (not verified) says:
RE: 1 & 5. Cheeder Caves and Wookey Cave are the same.