Halong Bay or Bay of Descending Dragons may become one of the “New” Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 2011, when the winner of the three-year contest is announced. And because of its coastal ecosystem, was placed on the World Heritage List in 1994. The World Heritage List is properties which have an outstanding universal value.
Halong Bay, situated in the splendid emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, composed of more than 2,000 islands, inlets and limestone formations. Considered one of the most beautiful locations in Vietnam, positioned on the coast line of Bai Chay Beach, Halong has an ecosystem of coral reefs, freshwater and mangrove forests, small freshwater lakes, sandy beaches,islands full of beautiful grottos, caves with continuous chambers, and hidden ponds. Caves at Halong Bay include, Hang Dau Go, Hang Bo Nau, Hang Trinh Nu and Hang Sung Sot.
Considered one of the most beautiful, deepest and largest caves at Halong, is Hang Dau Go or Wooden Stakes Cave. Accessible by climbing 90 steps, this cave of historical significance, is where General Tran Hung Dao in 1288, sent a fleet of warriors to cut wooden stakes to be hidden in the Cave, to use against and in triumph of Kublai Khans’ army. Magnificent formations of stalagmites, drippings of percolating calcareous water, decorate the walls of the cave, resembling humans as tall as six feet; locales declare they are keepers of the cave. On a narrow passage leading into the middle chamber is a round crystal, which when struck by light emits a breathtaking kaleidoscope of color. The smallest inner chamber is famous for the colorful stalagmites and stalacitites which cover the walls, and for the abundant stones wells, filled year-round with fresh water, according to the locales.
A magnificent view of clear blue water framed against the rocky formations of stalagmites, is waiting, as you look out on the bay through Hang Bo Nau or Pelican Cave. Named after the thousand of pigeons (Bo Nau means brown pigeon) who inhibited the cave many years ago before people began to live in the surrounding islands.
Hang Trinh Nu or Virgin cave named in favor of a poor, beautiful, young woman, whose body tuned to stone atop the cave, where she committed suicide to avoid a loveless marriage to an old mandarin, after being captured by his army. Tunneling a little more than a mile in the middle of an island, Virgin Cave has many chambers which astound visitors with their beauty, which is why the outer chamber, named Sung Sot meaning literally, astonishment or awe.
The steep climb to Hang Sung Sot or Cave of Awe, lined with shady trees, will be well worth it when you arrive at the first of two chambers: the waiting room or outer chamber. This square chamber, 98 feet high, has a smooth ceiling as if man-made, with walls of varying colors due to the stalagmites. To get to the inner chamber, or serene castle, you walk along a 9.8 feet wide path. Arriving at the serene castle, you will be dazed by the seemingly moving figures of sentries, posing animals and in the center of the cave, a general appearing as if surveying his troops, all due to the light reflecting off the water streaming through a 19 foot side entrance.
The best way to see Halong Bay is via a cruise, junk boat (a boat with two to three sails) or the traditional luxury cruise. Junk boats, composed of cabins complete with private bathrooms, showers, hot water, air conditioning, and private sundecks. Many contain large restaurants and various room sizes: double, twin and single. Luxury cruises, offers the traditional comforts, air conditioning, private bathrooms, boutique style facilities, large dining cabins serving alcohol, sundecks and large, spacious cabin suites with spectacular views of the bay.
Go pack your bags, for an unforgettable, extraordinary trip, to Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site and possible one of the “New” Seven Natural Wonders of the World!
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