ABSTRACT
The countries covered in this entry are China, Tibet, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Taiwan. The Chinese and Tibetans have been exploring and using caves for shelter and religion for thousands of years. Reference to karst in China is found frequently in early Chinese literature and is depicted in their art, particularly of the towers of Guilin, while caves featuring Buddhist art have been tourist attractions since ancient times. Studies of Japanese karst have a substantial history in the 20th century and those in Korea less so, while in Mongolia and Taiwan caves seem to have remained unnoticed until comparatively recently.
