Travel photo of the week

Guilin cave
Originally uploaded by stiber.

In the US, the general approach to providing public access to caves (these days) is to set things up so that the impact of visitors is minimized. The focus of the tour is on the science (geology, sometimes biology) of the place.

In China, caves are used to tell stories, like you might do when looking up at the clouds. Tours focus on historical and mythological figures and events, as if the rock formations were dioramas. Alternatively, areas are lit up like a light show. The cave experience becomes a cultural one.