A team of 15 professional cavers, cavers and photographers under the auspices of the Hong Meigui Cave Discoverer Society set out on a perilous journey through the unexplored corners of the Erwandong and Sanwandong cave systems within the Wulong County of Chongqing's central city. This is a whole world with its own climate, which was formed back in the Ordovician period (ended about 443.4 ± 1.5 million years ago). The caves are 42 km long and 441 m deep. They are so huge that there are clouds, waterfalls, rivers, fish and other organisms never seen before. The main entrance is located at a depth of 195 m in the Niubizi sinkhole.
Below is a photo report of Robbie Sean from Manchester, who was one of those who went inland of China to explore the caves.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. The founder of the Hung Meigui Cave Discoverer Society, speleologist Erin Lynch leads Lars Abromeit and the team to the Niubitsi sinkhole, where the entrance to the Ervandun cave system is located.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Duncan Collis climbs a small ledge overlooking the Niubizi sinkhole.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Long vertical dip - path to the caves.
Promotional video:
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Erin Lynch checks the belay before going down into the black chasm. A deafening waterfall falls behind, throwing spray and blowing the wind. This is the entrance to the "Queen of the Nile" section of the Sanwandong Cave System.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. The huge hall of the Sanwandong Cave System is probably the largest of its kind on Earth.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Giant stalagmites at the foot of the upward slope to the next section of the Sanwandong cave system.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Spectacular natural bas-relief on the cave ceiling.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Erin Lynch and Lars Abromate try to wade through the streams of water in the "Queen of the Nile" section of Sanwandong Cave.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Erin Lynch climbs the vault of a cave above an underground waterfall.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Swimming in an underground lake.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Colorless and eyeless fish.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Matt Ryan examines a giant calcite stalagmite.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Erin Lynch struggles with the flow, holding on to the lifeline with one hand.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Duncan Collis and Matt Ryan crawl down a narrow passage in the Where the Winds Blow section of the Sanwandong Cave System. It is so named because of the strong air currents that carry dust and sand with them.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Members of the expedition in the section "Dance Elephant Troupe" of the Sanwandong cave system.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. Underground camp.
China. Oolong, Chongqing. The way out.
