tourism

A special natural cave was recently discovered in Iryong-ri, Kowon County.

The cave is located on a hillside in the eastern part of the Puktaebong Mountains.

The entrance to the cave is 1.5m wide and 2m high. The inside of the cave is 15m wide at the maximum and 0.5m at the minimum.

A karst cave formed under the influence of groundwater in the limestone zone, it consists of a 240-odd-metre-long main cave, four short branch caves and three vertical caves.

Experts divided the cave into five sections according to its narrowing and curving form.

Yellow, white and black stalagmites and stalactites in various shapes and sizes are concentrated in each section, unfolding spectacular scenery.

Stalactites in different colours and shapes attached to the ceiling and stalagmites resembling the columns of a theatre look really mysterious.

Experts say that stalagmites and stalactites are formed by sedimentation and they become larger and larger and stick together to form stone pillars which indicate that the cave had been formed long ago.

Lecturers and researchers of Kim Il Sung University, Kim Chaek University of Technology, the National Authority for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and the State Academy of Sciences appraised that the cave might have greater ornamental and academic value than the Rakchon Cave in Kowon County and the Chonryong Cave in Yodok County which were registered as natural monuments.

The newly discovered natural cave named “Iryong Cave” was registered as State Designated Natural Monument No. 256.

South Hamgyong Province and Kowon County are now taking practical measures to preserve the cave.