The magnificent St. Paul Subterranean River National Park (SSRNP), more famously known as the "Underground River" in Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan, this city, continues to attract foreign and domestic tourists.
James Albert Mendoza, park manager, said the Underground River is still Puerto Princesa's principal attraction, with 31,154 tourists visiting it from January to August this year.
Out of the total number of visitors, 24,342 were local and 6,812 were foreigners.
The national park, located some 81 kilometers from the city proper, was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Environment, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
It is said to be the longest navigable underground river in the world, runs for eight kilometers and spills out into the South China Sea.
It also features cathedral-like caverns and domes, with stalactite and stalagmite formations that resemble religious images.
Several threatened animal species such as the Palawan Phesant Peacock and Philippine Cockatoo are found in the SSRNP.
The park is likewise a haven for hikers, biologists, photographers, students and nature lovers. (PNA)
