Grottes et karsts de Chine
Sur les traces de Xu Xiake

2.5 Pengjiawan (potential show cave)

UTM: 48 664567 2704236

Altitude: 708m

Total plan length of survey shots = 1712.54m Vertical range = 104.64m

Pengjiawan is a major cave, which has obviously been known to the locals for some time. The entrance is situated beneath a rock face in a large vegetated depression (40m x 70m) and had to be excavated to gain access. The cave was resealed following the exploration, hopefully to preserve the features of this cave.

From the entrance a boulder slope descends about 70m to a large passage, which reaches up to 30m wide and 10m high. This passage is mud floored with occasional formations. It would appear that occasionally the water wells up from below, however, no lower passages were discovered. This passage ends in another boulder slope at the top of which is an impressive chamber 100m x 100m and 40m high. Two large stalagmite bosses that reach the ceiling dominate this chamber. However, the whole of the chamber is adorned with formations and gour pools. We suspect that this chamber is near to the surface, but this could only be proven with a surface survey.