Minalungao National Park, Protected area in General Tinio, Philippines.
Minalungao National Park is a protected area in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija province, at the edge of the Sierra Madre range. Limestone cliffs frame the Peñaranda River and create a narrow passage with smooth rock walls that rise above the greenish water and cast shadows over the river course.
The Philippine government established the park in 1967 to protect the river landscape and limestone caves from mining activities. Local communities previously used the caves for shelter and as gathering places during traditional festivals.
The name Minalungao stems from local words: 'Mina' meaning mine and 'Lungao' referring to the caves within the limestone formations.
Visitors can reach the park by taking public transportation from Manila to Gapan, then a jeepney to General Tinio, followed by a short tricycle ride to the entrance. The best time to visit is during the dry season, when water levels are low and swimming becomes safer.
Ferns and mosses grow on the rocks lining the riverbank, creating a humid microclimate within the gorge. The clear water allows swimmers to observe small fish and rock formations below the surface, while bamboo rafts provide a quiet way to glide through the narrow passages.
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