View source for Spectacular Images Show Hidden Paradise Inside 950ft Deep Chinese Cave

<br>These stunning photographs show a hidden paradise discovered inside a cave 950 feet below ground, which has not been seen for decades.<br>Almost 100 acres of [http://www.wired.com/search?query=lush%20vegetation lush vegetation] has been found at the bottom of a deep cave in the mountainous region of Hubei province in central China,  reported the[ ]. <br>In the past, the site was used to dump rubbish but the amazing ecosystem was discovered after w[#  Paradise: Nearly 100 acres of lush vegetation has been found inside a cave in the mountainous region of Hubei in central China<br>Glimpse of heaven: The landscape has remained unvisited for many decades and is home to a variety of flora and fauna<br>Lush: Vegetation is able to flourish deep below the surface because natural sunlight and water is able to enter via the wide opening<br>The only way to get inside the cave is by abseiling down, meaning that no one has been down there for many years.<br>Sunlight and water gets in via the wide opening, allowing flora and fauna to flourish deep below the surface.<br>The fully independent ecosystem also benefits hugely from the natural protection provided by the walls of the cave.<br>Streams, flowers, butterflies, insects and swallow nests have all been found in the hidden paradise.<br>RELATED ARTICLES Previous][# Previous] [# 1] [# Next]     [/news/peoplesdaily/article-3097803/Theories-abound-thousands-spot-bizarre-pattern-sky-China.html  Are aliens trying to tell us something… Or was it just a...] [/news/peoplesdaily/article-3097768/So-rich-s-bought-two-Apple-Watches-DOG-Inside-weird-world-son-China-s-richest-man.html  Billionaire's son buys his DOG two Apple Watches (but he...]     Share this article Share   The photographs reveal the abundance of plants growing underground, from grasses and moss to vines and palm trees.<br>The beautiful landscape is located in a region of karst topography, which is formed of soluble rocks such as limestone.<br>Caves and sinkholes often occur when acidic water erodes layers of rock beneath the surface.<br><br>A number of major karst landscapes can be found in southern China, including the South China Karst in Guangxi and Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan - both of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites. <br><br><br>         Bug's life: Insects have been discovered deep inside the cave, as well as the snake pictured<br><br><br>              Magical: The stunning landscape featuring mosses, palm trees and vines looks like something that might be found in a film<br>         Hidden away: The fully independent ecosystem, which even contains streams, benefits from the natural protection of the cave <br>The balanced ecosystem relies on natural weather events, such as floods,  [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-trung-khanh-cuu-trai-cau-thanh-do-ha-noi-sai-gon.html tour cửu trại câu] bringing in excess rainwater, which in turn washes leaves and plants into the cave. <br>Other nutrients can be brought in by animals and birds. <br>Bats have also been found to need inside caves causing piles of droppings, known as guano, to accumulate. Bacteria in the cave can then decompose this and it acts as a form of compost for  [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-trung-khanh-cuu-trai-cau-thanh-do-ha-noi-sai-gon.html tour cửu trại câu] plants. <br>Additionally, caves typically have zones depending on how much light hits its floor, and  [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-trung-khanh-cuu-trai-cau-thanh-do-ha-noi-sai-gon.html tour du lịch cửu trại câu] where. <br>Lush green plants usually receive the most sunlight and grow in what's known as the 'entrance zone'. This is where moss is usually found.  <br>The area partially obscured by shadow that [http://sportsrants.com/?s=receives receives] little light is known as the 'twilight zone'. It temperature is more constant than the entrance zone and is typically cooler, making it more suitable for fungi to grow. <br>The so-called 'dark zone' receives no light and a constant temperature and plants won't grow here. Instead it is home to troglobites - organisms that developed and adapted to live in such dark environments.  <br><br>         Flora: Beautiful flowers have been discovered growing inside the cave, which was previously used as a rubbish dump<br>         Big drop: No one has been inside for many years because the only way to get down is by abseiling down the side of the cave<br>              Unbelievable: The photographs reveal the amazing plants and wildlife that have been sustained by the self-contained ecosystem<br>[ ]          more videos    [# ]   [# 1]   [# 2]   [# 3]   [# ]          [/video/news/video-2324458/Video-Dr-Bousted-admits-original-advice-school-closures-no-sense.html  Watch video Dr Bousted admits original advice for school closures 'made no sense']   [/video/news/video-2324526/Video-Oxford-AstraZeneca-vaccine-arrives-hospitals-ready-rollout.html  Watch video Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine arrives at hospitals ready for rollout]   [/video/news/video-2325024/Video-Harris-Trump-leaked-phone-call-bold-abuse-power.html  Watch video Harris: Trump leaked phone call was bold abuse of power]   [/video/news/video-2325096/Audio-Trump-pressures-GA-Secretary-State-11-780-votes.html  Watch video Trump pressures GA Secretary of State to find 11,780 votes]       [/video/news/video-2324796/Video-Tyson-Fury-slammed-appearing-enjoy-holiday-US.html  Watch video Tyson Fury slammed for appearing to enjoy himself on holiday in US]   [/video/news/video-2324892/Video-British-expats-stopped-boarding-flight-following-Brexit.html  Watch video British expats stopped from boarding flight following Brexit]   [/video/news/video-2324912/Video-Damien-McKiernan-stars-Mrs-Browns-Boys-2017-Christmas-special.html  Watch video Damien McKiernan stars in Mrs Brown's Boys 2017 Christmas special]   [/video/news/video-2325058/Video-Woman-sparks-debate-okay-flash-headlights.html  Watch video Woman sparks debate over whether it's okay to flash your headlights]       [/video/news/video-2325090/Video-Koala-caught-loudly-grunting-looks-mate.html  Watch video Koala caught loudly grunting as it looks for a mate]   [/video/news/video-2324596/VIDEO-sends-investigators-Wuhan-China-pandemic-started.html  Watch video WHO sends investigators to Wuhan, China, where pandemic started]   [/video/news/video-2324986/Video-Woman-threatens-call-police-calm-fisherman-killing-fish.html  Watch video Woman threatens to call police on a calm fisherman for killing fish]   [/video/news/video-2324778/Video-Police-discover-dozen-men-playing-dominoes-inside-London-restaurant.html  Watch video Police discover a dozen men playing dominoes inside London restaurant]        <br>DM.later('bundle', function()<br>DM.molFeCarousel.init('#p-45', 'channelCarousel', <br>"activeClass" : "wocc",<br>"pageCount" : "3.0",<br>"pageSize" : 1,<br>"onPos": 0,<br>"updateStyleOnHover": true<br>);<br>);<br><br><br><br><br>data-track-module="am-external-links^external-links"><br>Read more:<br><br>[ Read more on People's Daily]<br><br><br><br>DM.later('bundle', function()<br>DM.has('external-source-links', 'externalLinkTracker');<br>);