Sung Sot (surprising) Cave

Located in Bo Hon Island, Sung Sot cave is also in the central area of Ha Long Bay – the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the largest and most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay and it is also is a place where many rocky formations concentrated having unique and strange shapes, which are nowhere to be found. The road to Sung Sot cave lies beneath forest canopy along with the jagged stone steps where visitors have the pleasure of a climber, as well as the eager as if they are heading to the sky.

Sung Sot cave- one of the most spacious and beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay

The cave is divided into two chambers in which, the first one is described as an immerse “Opera House”. The ceiling of this area is covered by stalactites and stalagmites, which looks like a silky “velvet carpet” with beautiful motifs or a myriad of glistering and aglow “chandeliers”, numerous shapes and forms like stone statues, stone elephants, stone seals, raspberries, flowers, etc.. all seem to be fluttering between reality and dream. Entering in the second area through a small road, you can enjoy the completely different space in comparison to the first one, which can accommodate thousands of people with a stream of light rushed in.

Going inside Sung Sot Cave, there are many surprising scenery waiting for tourists to explore such as stalactites having different and special shapes, an old banyan tree having luxuriant foliage, dinosaurs…. Reaching the highest peak of the cave, you have a great chance to admire the beautiful landscapes of clear water lakes, some types of trees and birds living here. Located in the central site of Ha Long Bay, Sung Sot cave is surrounded by other attractions such as Ti Top beach, Trong cave, Me Cung cave (Maze Cave)- Luon cave and named “Grotte des surprises” (meaning of amazing) by the French.

From the port, climbing about 50 stone steps and then going down about ten more stone steps, visitors can reach the Cave gate with a height of about 25 meters. The cave is about 10,000 m2 wide with thousands of stalagmites and stalactites. In the cave, there is a system of paved walkways from the entrance to the end of more than 500 m long. On both sides of the walkway are low street lampposts, which are both a signpost and a decoration and lighting device. The lighting system with elegant lamps, the soft light adds to the beauty of the cave. In Sung Sot cave, the ceiling of 30 m high has the shape of small and regular indentations, as if decorated with porous matter, looks like the ceiling of a big theatre which is very magnificent. Near the cave gate are huge blocks of stone rising from the ground to the ceiling of the cave. This is one of the typical karst caves, with high scientific value. Right next to the entrance is a stalactite shaped like a horse and a long sword. According to ancient legend, after defeating An aggressors., Thanh Giong helped the local residents to expel demons, he left the horse and the sword in order to reassure people and banish demons and flew to the sky. Currently in the cave there are many natural images that seem to be traces of that fierce battle, especially, the footprints of the horse became small ponds along with crumbled rocks.

 

Sung Sot Cave is now a favourite destination for many domestic and international tourists to visit and explore the cave. If you want to visit, just book overnight tours on the bay with 2-day or 3-day itineraries or some 6,5 hours tour in one day.

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