The REAL Lost World: Inside the enormous 950ft deep Chinese cave that has developed its own unique ecosystem

• e-mail

These stunning photographs show a hidden paradise discovered inside a cave 950 feet below ground, which has not been seen for decades.

Almost 100 acres of lush vegetation has been found at the bottom of a deep cave in the mountainous region of Hubei province in central China,  reported the People's Daily Online. 

In the past, the site was used to dump rubbish but the amazing ecosystem was discovered after workers were employed to clear the area. 

Paradise: Nearly 100 acres of lush vegetation has been found inside a cave in the mountainous region of Hubei in central China

Glimpse of heaven: The landscape has remained unvisited for many decades and is home to a variety of flora and fauna

Lush: Vegetation is able to flourish deep below the surface because natural sunlight and water is able to enter via the wide opening

The only way to get inside the cave is by abseiling down, meaning that no one has been down there for many years.

Sunlight and water gets in via the wide opening, allowing flora and fauna to flourish deep below the surface.

The fully independent ecosystem also benefits hugely from the natural protection provided by the walls of the cave.

Streams, flowers, butterflies, insects and swallow nests have all been found in the hidden paradise.

The photographs reveal the abundance of plants growing underground, from grasses and moss to vines and palm trees.

The beautiful landscape is located in a region of karst topography, which is formed of soluble rocks such as limestone.

Caves and sinkholes often occur when acidic water erodes layers of rock beneath the surface.

A number of major karst landscapes can be found in southern China, including the South China Karst in Guangxi and Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan - both of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites. 

Bug's life: Insects have been discovered deep inside the cave, as well as the snake pictured

Magical: The stunning landscape featuring mosses, palm trees and vines looks like something that might be found in a film

Hidden away: The fully independent ecosystem, which even contains streams, benefits from the natural protection of the cave 

The balanced ecosystem relies on natural weather events, such as floods, bringing in excess rainwater, which in turn washes leaves and plants into the cave. 

Other nutrients can be brought in by animals and birds. 

Bats have also been found to need inside caves causing piles of droppings, known as guano, to accumulate. Bacteria in the cave can then decompose this and it acts as a form of compost for plants. 

Additionally, caves typically have zones depending on how much light hits its floor, and where. 

Lush green plants usually receive the most sunlight and grow in what's known as the 'entrance zone'. This is where moss is usually found.  

The area partially obscured by shadow that receives little light is known as the 'twilight zone'. It temperature is more constant than the entrance zone and is typically cooler, making it more suitable for fungi to grow. 

The so-called 'dark zone' receives no light and a constant temperature and plants won't grow here. Instead it is home to troglobites - organisms that developed and adapted to live in such dark environments.  

Flora: Beautiful flowers have been discovered growing inside the cave, which was previously used as a rubbish dump

Big drop: No one has been inside for many years because the only way to get down is by abseiling down the side of the cave

Unbelievable: The photographs reveal the amazing plants and wildlife that have been sustained by the self-contained ecosystem