Grottoes - Chinese Buddhist Grottoes, Jeita Grotto, Goldney Hall, Maijishan Grottoes, Mogao Caves, Seokguram, Lingyin Temple, Mount Emei (Paperback)

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 42. Chapters: Chinese Buddhist Grottoes, Jeita Grotto, Goldney Hall, Maijishan Grottoes, Mogao Caves, Seokguram, Lingyin Temple, Mount Emei, Priest's Grotto, St. Francis Seminary, Blue Grotto, Yungang Grottoes, The Shell Grotto, Longmen Grottoes, Grotto Geyser, Dazu Rock Carvings, Grotto of the Redemption, Nymphaeum, Rosh HaNikra grottoes, Morassina, Bingling Temple, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Dickeyville Grotto, Tuoshan, Kizil Caves, Middle Binyang Cave, Neptune Grotto, South Binyang Cave, Fonthill Grottoes, North Binyang Cave, Grotto-heavens, Fern Grotto, Hidden Stream Temple Cave, Scott's Grotto, Stone Sculptures on Yaowang Mountain, Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, Gruta de las Maravillas. Excerpt: The Jeita Grotto (Arabic: ) is a compound two separate but interconnected karstic limestone caves spanning an overall length of nearly 9 kilometres (5.6 mi). The caves are situated in the Nahr al-Kalb valley within the locality of Jeita, 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Though inhabited in prehistoric times, the lower cave was not rediscovered until 1836 by Reverend William Thomson; it can only be visited by boat since it channels an underground river that provides fresh drinking water to more than a million Lebanese. In 1958, Lebanese speleologists discovered the upper galleries 60 metres (200 ft) above the lower cave which have been accommodated with an access tunnel and a series of walkways to enable tourists safe access without disturbing the natural landscape. The upper galleries house the world's largest stalactite. The galleries are composed of a series of chambers the largest of which peaks at a height of 120 metres (390 ft). Aside from being a Lebanese national symbol and a top tourist destination, the Jeita grotto plays an important social, economic and cultural role and is a finalist in the New 7...