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Situated in the centre of
the UNESCO World Heritage area,
Sung Sot or ???Amazing
Cave??? is on Bo Hon Island, and is one of the most
spectacular and largest
grottoes of Ha Long Bay. The
mouth of the grotto is reached by ascending about a
hundred stone steps. One is surrounded by trees and
foliage on the journey up as the shimmering bay below
offers an ever more panoramic vista to admire.
The cave is partitioned into two chambers; the first
being similar to a wide theatre hall, with many
stalactites hanging from the high ceiling. A narrow
passage leads to the second chamber, where a flow of
natural light bathes the surfaces. The light is
filtering in from above, through a large opening
creating a natural skylight, this opening also serves as
the exit from the grotto. The chamber is so immense it
could contain thousands of people at one time.
At the deepest point of this chamber a "royal garden"
appears with a clear pond and a fascinating landscape of
small mountains. Many birds and plants (benjamin figs,
cycads and centenary banyan trees) can be seen here. On
some days groups of monkeys straying in from the dense
vegetation of the island might appear, in search of
fruit.
The grotto covers some 10,000 m2. There are thousands of
stalactites and stalagmites along the 500-meter paved
passage. Light posts line the passage and illuminate the
amazing scenery. Spotlights of varied colors are placed
in such a way to be unobtrusive and add to the
enchantment of the grotto.
The 30-meter high roof of the grotto, the walls and
innumerable cracks and crevices are evidence of millions
of years of spectacular natural creation. Close to the
exit a mammoth formation stretches from floor to
ceiling, tapering at the center to form a concave pillar
that appears to be keeping the ceiling in place. Walking
through the cave ones imagination can run wild conjuring
up all kinds of fantastic creatures and fanciful
creations.
And of course, as always here in Vietnam, there are
legends! One such involves a rock which seems to form
the shape of a horse and a long sword. As the legend
goes, Thanh Giong (Saint Giong) helped the people of the
area to chase away evil spirits and demons. After this
feat, Saint Giong flew to heaven, leaving a stone horse
and sword behind to guarantee the demons did not dare to
return.
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