I love exploring caves. I love trekking through the jungle to find the entrance to a subterranean cavern, hanging on for dear life to small hand- and footholds, wading thru small underground pools and rivers, and yeah, finally jumping into a deep pool to cool off and cleanse myself.
I’ve done some caving in the Philippines, of course. I’ve been to the Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves in Sagada, the Danakit Cave in Surigao del Sur, the Bat Cave in Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan, Cantabon Cave in Siquijor, Pamitinan and Bat Caves in Wawa Dam, and more recently, the Gray Caves in Norzagaray, Bulacan (post coming soon!).
Map of the Silver Fox Cave system.
I haven’t had any experience caving abroad until I went to visit my friends Jazz and Malou in Beijing in 2011. They told me they would take me to the largest cave in northern China, the Silver Fox Cave (or Yinhu Dong), a massive, multilayer karst cave system discovered in 1991 by miners. I remember being very excited then. I couldn’t wait for my first experience caving in China!
The white stalactite that looks like an inverted silver fox. © Jazz Ramiro
On our way to the Fang Shan District, I imagined myself caving like the way I do in the Philippines, although I did wonder why we didn’t bring any caving gears. We were wearing jeans and a thick coat, since it was spring in Beijing and quite chilly. Where were our headlamps? It’s the number one gear needed by spelunkers.
I later learned why we had no gears when we finally arrived in the Ying Shui Village where the Silver Fox Cave was located.
The cave was really huge, and there was a number of stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes, with stone formations given names ranging from names of people and animals to (I think) whatever the first thing that came to mind when viewing these formations.
All these would have made it such a wonderful caving experience for me. Yes, would have.
Wonderful rock formations.
Going to the Silver Fox Cave, you see, seemed more like going to an amusement park. Even calling it “caving” seems like a misnomer. The pathways were cemented, there were metal railings everywhere, some of the stalagmites and stone formations were encased in bars, and even the two-meter-long white stalactite that looked like an upside down fox (which gave the cave its name) was put behind glass.
The stone formations were labeled too, to represent what they (were supposed to) look like. There were formations called “Magical Brush of God,” “Praying Sea Lion,” “Bear Climbing the Tower,” “Lamp on a Snail’s Head,” and “Chairman Mao,” among others, no matter that the rocks did not in any way resemble any of these by any stretch of the imagination.
One stalagmite was labeled “Lamp on a Snail’s Head.”
Beautiful stalactites (just remove the multicolored lights!).
These were called the “Blooming Chrysanthemums.”
The cave was really quite deep and large. We went down for some time, passing through narrow and steep places, and coming out in large caverns. There was one thing in common there; multi-colored lights, and lots and lots of it! Stalactites and stalagmites alike were lighted up with green, yellow, blue, and red spotlights. All that was missing was a disco ball and you could have a dance floor underground.
“God welcome the visit.” Okay. © Jazz Ramiro
There’s more, too. After around 30 minutes or so, there was an underground stream, a kilometer-long of clear, inviting, and cold river. All the tourists were herded into boats, and there was one boatman in each boat who navigated the river by standing up and pulling on the cables strung above. Except for a few spotlights, it was quite dark and from far away, we could hear the sound of a waterfall.
Want to go boating in an underground cavern?
If you’re too tired, you can take a rest at the station.
If you have any doubt of the Silver Fox Cave as an amusement park, seeing a train deep in the bowels of the earth would dispel that for you. Yes, there was a mini-train there, and the guide said it would take us to the stairs leading to the exit. My friend and I took one compartment and when the train was moving, we could see the stone wall through our window just a few inches away.
Yep, a mini-train that took us back to the surface (almost)! © Jazz Ramiro
After the train ride, we ascended a hundred or so steps to finally come out of the cave after two hours. I realized then that for some people, the train was a good idea. Otherwise, we’d have trekked back for another hour just to go back to the surface!
Malou and sons Rigel and Deneb (not in the pic) waited for us outside.
Chinese girls playing in the playground.
I remember feeling extremely disappointed at that time, expecting so much of the place. On hindsight, though, I realized that the Silver Fox Cave has its own charm. Not everyone likes extreme adventures as I do, and converting a cave like this into an almost-amusement park makes it more accessible to the general public.
Have you ever been to a cave like this? Would you want to go?
17 Comments. Leave new
@ Dennis: Seems there’s a lot of caves like it then. I thought it was just in China!
@ Salika Jay: Welcome to the club hehe
@ Paul: Well, when I got past my disappointment, I did have fun. It has its own charm after all. 🙂
Yikes. Theme park cave. At least you had fun? That’s Chinese tourism for you. To get memorable travel experiences in the country, either you visit lesser known places or see known places beyond or around where tourists go.
It would have been nice if the cave was left in its natural form but I guess now its safe for kids to go as well. Although I would enjoy the cave, I would be disappointed as well.
It’s like deja vu seeing pics of Silver Fox cave. Reminds me of Howe’s Caverns in upstate New York which also has colored lights and boating in a subterranean river. Wasn’t too thrilled with this kind of Disney-esque cave and I’m sure I’d feel the same way on Silver Fox.
@ D.I.: Thanks. Yeah, it’s mostly for kids and those who are not into extreme adventures. Too bad for me!
@ Gelo: The stalactite is beautiful yes. It was just funny to see it encased in glass!
oh my, that white stalactite looks amazing!
i initially thought it was a gush of white milk coming out from the corner of that cave, until i read your caption.
i agree with your last note here that places as such give opportunity to people who aren’t as adventurous as you, like older people or those younger tourists to experience at least, being underground and appreciate stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations inside a cave.
I too thought the lighting effects were slightly over-done. The cave itself is good, but they could have slightly reduced the ‘light color effects’. It takes off the natural character of a monument. But as an amusement park, such sites make a very different experience, I guess. Excellent photos, BTW.
@ Christine: If I had known it would be like an amusement park, I wouldn’t have felt so disappointed. I learned there not to expect anything from my travels and be more open minded hehe
@ Photo Cache: Yeah, I guess they do have their place in the sun haha
the cave in a national park here in california has a cemented pathway too, and a guided tour is available. it’s not much for exploration in the strictest sense of the word. i’ve seen a show on travel channel once on caves to visit and most of them have been fixed to accommodate people’s exploration, in a typical amusement park kind of way.
I know the feeling of being slightly disappointed when something turns out to be less adventurous or rugged than we like it. It feels like you’re working for your prize and it just feels more rewarding. When I read your title “Caving” it was an automatic click. ha ha.. This reminds me of when I went to Halong Bay and everything was lit up like this place. I felt kind of cheesy. The park still looks kinda cool though.
@ Shalu: If you aren’t much into caves, I’m sure you’d love this. It’s very accessible and not too strenuous.
@ Freya: Yeah, I enjoyed it a bit, although it was a different kind of enjoyment that I usually get when I go caving 😀
Hi Aleah, I love caving. It’s a shame that this “amusement park” took a lot away of an authentic caving adventure but you are right some tourists might prefer this. Then again who can say that they have seen Stalactites and Stalagmites in spotlights with all colors of the rainbow 😉 Looks like you had a great day anyhow and that’s the most important part. Love your photos.
Looks like a great place. I haven’t been into many caves so this is interesting for me.
@ JJ: I much prefer a natural cave than this one. Then again, they serve a different set of consumers 😀
@ Marisol: I thought it was only limited in China. I guess VN thought it would attract more tourists too. I am really really glad most of the caves here in the Philippines are left as is!
Hi Aleah, I’d be disappointed, too, as I would be expecting a real adventure as well. This reminds of the Surprise Cave in Halong Bay, Vietnam. It’s huge and beautiful but its garish colorful lighting and cemented pathway made it look like more of a theme park that a wonder of nature. Oh, what a shame that such natural beauties are not preserved in a purer form. But then you’re right that if they don’t convert the cave into amusement park it won’t attract mainstream visitors.
LOL a theme park cave! They should have labeled a stone formation “Batman”
And to think i was complaining about the stairs and entrance lights of Hinagdanan cave in Bohol.
another great read Aleah.