Spelunking in China

China's enormity is more than just dirt deep. The massive expanse of land that comprises China's uniquely various landscape is shot through with plenty of subterranean space: Dozens of major caves dig under every province, as well as many thousands of smaller ones. Adventurers who are not claustrophobic can tour a few of the former without special tools -- except, of course, a steely resolve. A handful of these provide more thrill than they do crowds, making them a suitable choice for a traveler who's interested in a more challenging, off-the-beaten-track adventure.

Soaring Dragon Cave

• In Hubei's Lichuan City, the Qingjiang River pours from one of the mouths of the enormous Tenglong Cave -- also known as the Soaring Dragon Cave, one of the largest caves in the world. Visitors spelunk in open-top vehicles so they can easily see the massive cavern's system of waterfalls.

Million Year Ice Cave

• Wear your warmest clothes to visit the 3,000,000-year-old cave in the Shanxi Province. It's more than half a mile long and frozen even in the summertime. Bedecked in frosty stalactites, columns of twinkling ice and frozen waterfalls, the cave is divided into five slippery levels, strung together with ice stairs.

Double Dragon Cave

• Visitors enter the Double Dragon Cave of the Zhejiang province by lying flat in a boat. After that awkward entree, explorers sit up to view the cave's hundreds of Taoist inscriptions, some dating back 1,700 years. After perusing the cavern's namesake twin chambers, the boat proceeds through the cave to pop out, like magic, into a pristine mountain lake.

Shuang River Cave

• Many a spelunking expedition has unfolded in the massive tunnels at Shuang. Currently listed as the longest cave in the country -- and the 20th longest on the planet -- Guizhou's Shuang River Cave reaches more than 62 miles underground. Explorers access the cave from any of its 30 entrances and enjoy an abundance of waterfalls and subterranean aquatic wildlife.

Caves for Experienced Spelunkers

• For those not satisfied by "spelunking lite" for the tourist crowd, hook up with Hong Meigui, an international society of spelunkers and geologists dedicated to the exploration of China's caves. Founded in 2001, the society has, over the course of its relatively short history, logged more than 1,000 cave entrances and mapped almost 200 miles of underground passages. While there are no official guides, experienced spelunkers find likeminded local adventurers among its hundred or so members.

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Spelunking in Washington State

Washington state's impressive wild places range from snow-capped mountains to dripping rainforests and fog-shrouded fjords. Its caves are often overlooked, but they offer distinct opportunities for adventure. In Washington, spelunking, or cave exploration, is accessible to most able-bodied visitors. You'll need a sturdy pair of shoes and a headlamp to explore the state's most memorable caves.

The Lava Tubes

• The Ape Caves of Mount St. Helens are actually two ancient tubes that once were pathways for lava. The caves are named after the Mount St. Helens Apes, an outdoor club whose members explored the area. Visitors can park at the tubes and descend via ladders and stairs into the damp, dark, cold caves. There are no light sources in the caves, so you need to bring a headlamp to see. There is one steep section that requires climbing and is only recommended for the most fit and experienced visitors. However, the caves are otherwise flat once you descend the ladder or stairs. Rangers lead guided cave walks in summer, and the caves are open year-round.

The Ice Caves

• Not hospitable for spelunking within them, the Big Four Ice Caves sit at the bottom of a massive, sheer mountain of the same name in the Cascade Range. As ice falls from the stone above, it collects into a hollowed-out structure through which an icy wind flows year-round. Hikers can easily access the caves after a short, 2.2-mile round trip trail that's mostly flat. Though the deep blue of the caves' interior is tantalizing, visitors should stay away from their openings, especially if the sun is beating down on the mountains above; avalanches have resulted in fatalities from the collected ice melting.

The Limestone Cavern

• Gardner Cave is a limestone cavern of stalactites and stalagmites -- what you typically imagine when you think of a cave. The cavern sits in Crawford State Park in northeast Washington and is the state's third-longest limestone cave, measuring 1,055 feet long. Impressive cave formations, rim stone pools and flow stone greet visitors almost immediately upon entering. Park rangers offer free guided tours.

The Volcanic Boulders

• Boulder Cave is a volcanic formation in central Washington, near the town of Yakima. Millions of years of lava flows deposited boulders over soft soil, which over time was eroded to form a hollow space reaching 400 feet deep. It's a relatively small cave, but its depth makes it a dark spot, so you'll need to bring your own light source. You'll hike on a 2-mile path to reach the entrance; both the hike and the cave are easy to explore, so they're suitable for any traveler. The cave is also home to Pacific western big-eared bats, which hang from the cave's ceiling during daylight hours.

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Spelunking in Texas

The stars at night may shine big and bright deep in the heart of Texas, but venture below the prairie dust and you'll find yourself in an ethereal underworld forever shrouded in darkness. Texas has more than 3,000 caves, with some open for public tours throughout the year. Moderate fitness is required at most caves, as you'll be climbing stairs and walking for more than an hour.

Easy Does It

• Humid conditions and dark, enclosed spaces make some people feel extremely claustrophobic and panicky. Get a feel for spelunking on a guided tour in well-lit conditions, along smooth paths with plenty of headroom at Longhorn State Park in Burnett. The daily tour runs for 1 1/2 hours and visits unusual formations such as the Queens Watch Dog, carved out by water that formerly ran through the cave. The Crystal City room sparkles with millions of calcite crystals and the Indian Council Room holds evidence of Comanches using the caverns over a century ago. The park also has a monthly paranormal tour, geology tours, wild cave tours and photography tours.

A Taste for Adventure

• Move off the beaten path and investigate areas not seen by the average cave visitor with a wild cave tour. At Kickapoo Cavern State Park, explore the undeveloped cave on a strenuous quarter-mile hike. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring at least two sources of light and extra batteries for both. Colorado Bend State Park's wild cave tour involves climbing, crawling and shimmying through tight, muddy spaces to reach large chambers. Bring a second set of clothing to change into at tour's end. The park is also home to Gorman Falls and 32 miles of multiuse trails with primitive campsites.

Something to Sing About

• Make your winter holiday special with a Christmas caroling cavern tour at Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio. The experience takes place on the first three weekends of December. As you stroll from room to room along the North Cavern tour, choirs fill the air with festive song. Towering soda straws, ribbons of stone and stalagmites and stalactites provide an otherworldly backdrop for a special holiday memory. The cave has tours throughout the year with two walking routes available, as well as wild cave tours. Be aware that the caverns have 99 percent relative humidity at a temperature of 70 degrees, which can negatively affect people with respiratory issues.

Go To Extremes

• Grotto clubs found throughout the state offer the opportunity to join other caving enthusiasts to explore wild and lesser known caves. The Texas Speleological Survey maintains a list of grottos throughout the state where you can learn safe caving techniques and cave conservation and restoration. Grottos visit caves not open to the general public and usually have equipment that includes cable ladders and ropes for use by its members.

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