| Chil-Ustun Cave | |
| Other Name: | Чилустун үңкүрү |
| Map: | Kyrgyzstan |
| Length: | 380 m |
| Elevation: | 1100 m |
| Discovery: | Ancient times |
| Entrance Count: | 1 |
| Show Cave: | no |
| Lighting: | Nne |
| Chil-Ustun | |
| Iucn Category: | III |
| Location: | Aravan District, Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan |
Chil-Ustun Cave (ky|Чил-Устун үңкүрү) also known as Aravan Cave is located in the Southwest of Kyrgyzstan in the Osh Mountains, composed of Paleozoic limestones, in 3.5 km from Aravan, Kyrgyzstan.[1] It is a protected natural monument.[2] The cave belongs to the group of Karst caves of outlier mountains to the west of Osh.[3] [4]
The entrance to the cave forms a 15 meter tall and approximately 25 meter wide arc. The cave is 380 meters long [5] or up to 350 meters according to another source. It is located in a rock formation at 1100 meters above sea level. The entrance is located on a steep, oblique rock face.
The cave's existence has been known since mediaeval times as attested by Arabic inscriptions on the walls.
The cave consists of 3 chambers of different sizes, connected with corridors and narrow openings. The largest chamber is 85 m X 40 m X 20 m in size.
Inside the cave, stalactites and stalagmites (columns) reach heights of over 50 meters. These forms vary in color, from white and cream to dark brown.