The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. 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 underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park 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. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has been nominated for the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" competition. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the most important conservation areas in the Philippines. It was created to protect the impressive cave systems, lush old growth tropical rainforest, interesting wildlife, unspoiled natural beauty of the area and one of the most impressive cave system in the world. Its main focus is 8.2 km. long underground river that flows beneath a spectacular limestone formation before directly emptying into the sea. It is a core area for the Palawan Biosphere Reserve and is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It was also declared as a National Geological Monument. In recognition of global significance, the PPSRNP has been inscribed to the list of natural World Heritage Sites. As a natural area, the Park has attracted an increasing number of hikers, biologist, photographers, students and nature lovers. It is a source of pride and a key element in the identity of the people of Puerto Princesa in particular and of the Philippines as a whole. he area is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of Palawan Province. St. Paul Bay bound the territory of the national park to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. It situated in some 80 kilometers (km) Northwest from the center of the City of Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan Province. National Park is accessible from Puerto Princesa by road and boat, via Baheli 10° 10'N, 118° 55'E.
This park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river. One of the river's distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with its underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it flows directly into the sea, and the lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full mountain to the sea ecosystem and protects forests, which are among the most significant in Asia. A must-see for first time visitors and tourists in Palawan. The longest navigable underground river and reputedly the most beautiful subterranean river in the world. Its main attraction is an 8.2 kilometer Underground River that winds through a spectacular cave before emptying into the South China Sea. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave. Visitors can also enjoy bird watching, mountain trekking, and exploring the deeper part of the forest . The park was declared a premier ecotourism destination and has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage lists for its outstanding universal value and ecological significance as a natural site of intense beauty. This World Heritage site is a qualified national nominee in the New7Wonders of Nature search! Vote now for Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park! The area of the Subterranean River has long aroused curiosity. Since the middle of the XIX century it attracted attention of visitors to the area. The national park was established in 26 March 1971 under Presidential Proclamation No. 835 and was managed by the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources. In 1992 the boundaries of the site were inscribed with a Presidential Proclamation under the Republic Act 7586 (NIPAS Act of 1992), and the actual management of the national park was transferred to the City Government of Puerto Princesa, which has Management Board of the national park. The territory of the park forms part of a core zone of the Palawan Island Biosphere Reserve, recognized under the UNESCO MAB Programme in 1990, and a core zone of the Ecologically Critical Area Network (ECAN), the central element of the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Province. It was chosen as one of the protected areas for the Debt-for-Nature Swap Program in 1989. In 1992 the St. Paul Subterranean River National Park won an award of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in the Environmental Enhancement Category. In 1993 Protected Area Management Board based in Puerto Princesa suggested to extend park's area up to 86,000 hectares (ha). Inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1999.
The Philippines is blessed with vast natural resources and a number of popular tourist destinations. And one of the most-visited spots in the country is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park, formerly known as the St. Paul Subterranean National Park. It was later changed by President Estrada to its current name under Proclamation No. 212. Through this proclamation, the area was increased from 3, 901 hectares to 22, 202 hectares to include the offshoots of the underground river and the park was also declared as a protected area of the Network Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is situated 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It can be found in the Saint Paul Mountain Range bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. Entry to this beautiful subterranean river can be found from the little town of Sabang. This spectacular place has been declared a premier ecotourism destination and included in the prestigious UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage List. It is now considered as one of the sites with “outstanding universal value” due to its intense beauty and natural importance. The main attraction of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is its 8.2 kilometer underground river which winds through a cave before it streams down to the South China Sea. The lower section of the river is dependent on tidal influences. At the cave’s entrance, you are welcomed with a clear lagoon surrounded by trees growing to the water’s edge. There are also animals inhabiting near the cave such as monkeys, squirrels and large monitor lizards. The park also boasts of rocky mountains with amazing large limestone formations running from north to south. Considered as the most beautiful subterranean river in the world and the longest traversable underground river, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is really a must-see for tourists in Palawan.
