Grottes et karsts de Chine
Sur les traces de Xu Xiake

A ming dong

Location: On a hillside to the east of the village of Sanba. A steep walk down to the river is followed by another steep climb up the opposite mountain along a muddy track. After one hour, an area of limestone pavement is reached. The small entrance is hidden amongst the many clumps of trees. Local village guides are available. N27.52355◦, E100.05034.

Description: The entrance is filled with large tree roots, which continue for several metres into the cave. The entrance tube quickly arrives at a vertical slot into a chamber with a sloping mud floor. A large mound of calcited rock lies in the centre of the chamber, and passage is possible along the left side. From here onwards, all surfaces are heavily calcited. The floor continues to slope down guano piles to reach a narrowing rift with a rocky floor. The end is blocked with flowstone and has little potential. The cave is dry and warm, and is inhabited by numerous bats.