Location: Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area – Ha Long Bay, Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave is on Bo Hon Island.
Characteristics: Covering area of 10,000m² in Bo Hon Island, Sung Sot Cave with thousands of stalactites is one of the finest and widest caves in Ha Long Bay which were discovered by the French in 1901.
◊ It Looks Like a Theatre
Ascending to the cave , the way is covered by trees and foliage and consists of great paved stone blocks. Inside, it is partitioned into two chambers; the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall. Many stalactites hang from the high ceiling, with numerous possible forms and shapes. From the wharf, you climb 50 steep stone stairs to the mouth of the grotto, which lies 25m above the sea level. Going down some 10 stone stairs, you reach the mouth of a grotto. The cave covers some 10,000m2. Inside the cave there have thousands of stalactites and stalagmites along the 500-meter paved passage.
A narrow passage leads to the second rooms, where a flow of light meets visitors. 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. The chamber is so immense it could contain thousands of people at one time.
Up in the 30-meter roof of the cave, one can figure out small, soft and even concave spots, which look like patterns in the ceiling of a theater. A huge piece of stone stands up to the ceiling by the cave’s mouth. This evidences one of the typical karst-style grottoes with high scientific values.
◊ Fascinating Landscapes
At the deepest point of the cave, a “royal garden” appears with a clear pond and a seemingly fascinating landscape of mountains. Many birds and plants (benjamin figs, cycads and centenary banyan trees) live here. On nice days groups of monkeys might arrive in search of fruit.
At the side of the entrance, the rock seems to form the shape of a horse with a long sword. Legend has it, that after having defeated the An aggressors, Thanh Giong (Saint Giong) helped the population to chase away evil spirits and demons. After this feat, Saint Giong flew to heaven, leaving a stone horse and sword to continue to keep the demons away.
