There are dozen of caves and grotoes in Halong Bay but here we list some remote in Halong Bay, most very poppular for visitors.
Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly palace in the bay ):
This recently discovered grotto is one of most beautiful in Halong Bay. It is on the south-west side of the Bay, 4km from tourist boat wharf.
On disembarking from the boat, visitors climb up stone stair to the mouth of the grotto at the height of 25m. The way to Thien Cung is a peerilous one, covered on both sides by thick forest. After entering a narrow gate, the grotto’s 130m long girth open
up. getting in we are more astonished in front of the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from stalacite. Thien cung grotto associates with the legendary love story between a goung girl and dragon prince. On the east wall of the grotto, there is a grandiose and imposing picture with charaters of tales. The legend has it, that the young lady named May (Cloud), caught th eye of the Dragon prince and He fell in love with Her. They were betrothed, and their wedding lasted seven days and seven nights in the centre of grotto. In hornour of the wedding, small dragons flew about through the stalacmites, elephent danced together happily, snakes twined themselves aroud tres and two stone lions danced with their manes flowing in the wind. A large elephent, smartly dressed, waited for the brige and the groom. The genies of the south and north stars also came to attend the banquet, and the atmosphere was definitely animated and liveely. All these scence have been seeming ly fossilized in the grotto
In this grotto, many evidents about the legendary story still here. There is a magnificent picture with fairy characters carved in to the wall in the west of the grotto. Four sturdy columns stand support the Heaven in the centre of the grotto. Original shapes and images of birds,fishs.. daily activities of people are chiseled from top to bottom of these columns. on the north wall of grotto, you can find a group of fairies seem to dance and sing in honour of the wedding under the immeasurably high roof, stalacties make a natural stone certain. Somewhere there is the soud of a drum beating, but it’s actually just the noise made by the wind blowing through the stone. standing admist the emerald stalacties and stalacmites you can feel as if they were in paradise.
Arriving at the last partition of the grotto, a natural gushing stream of water babbles throughout the year. Here are three small pond of clear water. Legend has it, that this was where May bathed her 100 children, bringing them up wisely and happily of the grotto, it was the way May, together with 50 of her children, took to harvest new lands. the 50 remaining children together with their father, were left to biuld the native land.
elt behind by the mother was the natural stream describle above.going out of thien cung grotto, we have a sensation of just watching a unique, meticulous, interesting fine art museum which is made by nature, get out of the image, ability and intellect of man.
Dau Go Grotto (Driftwood Grotto):
Giau Go Grotto(Wood hiding grotto):
The grotto is on the Driftwood island, seen from afar, the entrance to the grotto appears to be blue, and has a shape similar to that of a jellyfish. After 90 steps up the island, the entrance is reached. The ceilling of the grotto is about 25m. hundreds of salacties falling down from the roof of the grotto look like a water fall. The grotto divided into three main parts.
The exterior is a room with a vault full of natural light. Many fors maybe seen in the rock formations of the chamber depending on the imagination of the visitors of course. In the first chamber, in the very middle of the grotto, is a colossal pillar supporting the large vault. On the top of the pillar, there appears to be a monk draped in a long, dark cloak, with his right hand clasping a cane.
crossing the first chamber, one enters the second chamber through a narrow passage. The light here is mysterious, and new images appear in the stone, it make us having a fear and be inquisitive .
The third chamber of the grotto is widely opened. At the end of the grotto is a well of clear wateer. looking up to the dim light we recognize that surrounded is the image of an ancient citadel and a scuffle of elephents, horses, man with bristly sword and spear. all are making a rush and be petrified suddenly. in 1917, Emperor Khai Dinh came to visit the grotto and amazed by the beauty of the place, ordered the erection of an engraved stone stele singing the praises of Halong Bay and the grotto, today it remains to the right hand side of the entrance
Sung sot cave (Surprise Cave):
Situated in the centre of the UNESCO declared World Heritage area, the surprise cave is on Bo Hon island, and is one the finest and widest cave of Halong Bay
Ascending to the cave, the way is covered by trees and foliage, and consists of great paved stone blocks, from the wharf, we must limb up about 50 stone steps to the entrance of the cave, which lies 25m above the sea level, then go down to reach the mouth.
Upon entering the cave , one you can see that wold open before tourists eyes. The cave covered about 10,000m2. Here you can see thousands of stalacties and stalacmites form exquisitely carved columns like those in ancient castles. The lively images of human being, animals, and old trees make us surprise and mesmerize at the stunning beauty of nature. Inside the cave there is a praved road span over half a kilometer from the entrance to the exit of the cave. light posts line the passage and serve as signposts and ornaments. The lighting system with elegant styles adds more charm to the beauty of the cave.
Sung Sot has two main chambers, the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall. many stalacmites hang from the high ceiling with numerous possible forms and shapes.
A narrow passage leads to the second chamber, where aflow of light meets visitors, the chamber is also immense it could contain more than 1,000 people at one time. At the side of the entrance, the rock seems to form the shape of a horses with a long sword. legend has it, That after having defeated the An aggressors, Thanh Dong (Dong saint) helped the people to chase away evil spirits and demons. After this feat, Dong flew to the Heaven, leaving a stone horse and sword to continue to keep the dimons away.
At the deepest point of the cave, a royal garden appears with aclear pond and a seemigly fascinating landscape of moutains. Many bird and plants (benjamin figs, cycads and centenary banyan tree) live here. on nice days groups of monkeys might arrive in search of fruit.
Sung sot is one of the largest and most magnificent caves in Halong Bay. that’s why french called it cave of Surprise
Me Cung cave (Bewitching):
Two kilometers south-west of Titov beach is the Me Cung cave. it form on Lom Bo island, and seen from afar, the entrance is like the roof of a house denting the island’s side.
After a narrow crack only allowing one person through at a time, many partitions appear, there chambers are somewhat small and narrow, but it’s very refined, and with many stalagmites and stalacties bearing beautiful forms.
Pushing in to the cave you feel like walking in palace of a persian King. Hearing the murmur from out of nowhere you think that Scheherazade is telling the stories of the thousand and one night for her King.
Threading your way through narrow passages, you find a dim light from afar which signals the exit of the cave. On getting out of the cave, climb up serveral rugged stone stairs and look down, you can see a large round lake surrounded by moutain. Its waters is blue all year round. The lake is home of many kind of fishes, shrimps, octopuses,algae, see weed and coral. Lying adjacent to the lake there is an area of old trees popularly known as an alluring “Royal garden”
On the island, there are many ancient trees casting long reflections on the water of the bay. They are home for many species of birds and animals (monkeys, chamois and varans).
The cave has been recognized by archaeologists as one of the vestiges of the pre-Halong new stone age culture, that exited between 7,000 and 10,000 years ago.
Trinh Nu grotto & Trong grotto:
The Trinh Nu grotto or (virgin grotto) is situated on the island range of Bo Hon in the system compising the Sung Sot cave, Dong Tien lake and Luon grotto.it’s 9km from Bai chay wharf. For some fisheman, the trinh nu grotto is home, while for young lovers, its considered as the symble of truly love.
The French gave this grotto the name La Virgin (the grotto of virgin girl) according to the legend of the romantic love of two couple: a poor beautiful girl and a young fishman.The legend has it has that there once was a beautiful fishman’s daughter, whose family so poor that it was in the service of the rich administrator of the fishing zone. He forced the family to give him the girl as a concubine. She alreaddy had a lover who at that time was on the high seas catching fish to prepare for their wedding. The administrator, angered by her refusal, exiled her to a wild island where she suffered from hunger and exhaustion. On the fightening night, amidst terrible rain and winds, she turned to stone. It was also the night that her lover knew of her danger, and he row his boat to search of her. On the terrible night, the tempest destroyed his boat and he floated to one of the islands. In a lighting flash he saw his mate in the distance, but his calls were driven awy by the wind. He used a stone block to hammer down on the moutain cliffs to announce to her he nearby. He struck until blood flowed from his hands, and in his final exhaustion, turned to stone (today Male grotto)
Trinh Nu grotto has three chambrs, the first chamber likes a house with flat roof and linked with the next chamber by narrow window. The second chamber is 8m long and 5m wide, and about 4m high, inside the grottto there are many stalagmites and stalacmites bearing strange form with created on the wall many skillful carving pictures. From econd chamber there is small door leading to the last chamber which is in rectangle with 60m long and 20m wide. On the wall many stalacties fall down which created many lovely picture.
Here a groups of girl heart to heart talk, another is a picture of phoenix spead with its wing spreading wide, far from is many picture of birds. Today when visiting the vergin grotto we can see the petrified girl with her long hair hanging down, and eyes looking towards the mainland. Opposite the virgin grotto, the Male grotto is still home of the lover, his face turned towards his mate. His passionate calls and blows against the grotto’s walls can still be heard at times
Luon Cave:
Situated on Bohan island, 14km South of Hai Chay beach is the Luon grotto. in front of the grotto is Con Rua islet, and the sky Gate is on the right.Here the cliffs stretch vertically out of the pure blue and smooth water. At the water level, an arched entrance leads to the grotto. just at the base of the island. luon cave is 60m long its heigh very between 2.5 to 4m according to the stade of the tide. only small boats or rubber boats which should be equipped with safety floats can enter. Passing through pretty entrance, we come across a trnquil round lake, surroudded by luxuriant trees and high dangerous stone walls. Benjamin fig trees shade the landscape and many orchids hang their sweet-scented flower. in the lake, many species abound, shrimp, fish, crap and cuttle – fish Luon cave is one of the rare caves in Halong Bay. This cave is suitable for those who like to discover Halong Bay by Kayak. The beauty of the site is the mingling of a number of factors, the moutain’s size and form, the colour of the water and the colours.Luon cave is one of the rare caves in Halong Bay. This cave is suitable for those who like to discover Halong Bay by Kayak. The beauty of the site is the mingling of a number of factors, the moutain’s size and form, the colour of the water and the colou
