|
Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared
World Heritage area, the Sửng Sôt or Surprise
Grotto is on Bồ Hòn Island, and is one of the
finest and widest grottoes of Hạ Long Bay.
Ascending to the grotto, 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.
A
narrow passage leads to the second rooms, where
a flow of light meets visitors. The chamber is
so immense it could contain thousands of people
at one time.
At
the deepest point of the grotto, 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.
It
is situated in the central tourism centre of the
bay, as well as Ti Tốp Beach, Bô Nâu Grotto, Mê
Cung Grotto and Luồn Grotto. French named it
"grotte des surprises" (grotto of surprise)
From the wharf, you climb 50 steep stone
stairs to the mouth of the grotto, which lies 25
m above the sea level. Going down some 10 stone
stairs, you reach the mouth of a grotto. The
grotto covers some 10,000 m2. Inside the grotto
there have thousands of stalactites and
stalagmites along the 500-meter paved passage.
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 grotto.
Up
in the 30-meter roof of the grotto, 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 grotto’s mouth. This evidences
one of the typical karst-style grottoes with
high scientific values.
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 Ân
aggressors, Thánh Gióng (the Saint Gióng) helped
the population to chase away evil spirits and
demons. After this feat, Saint Gióng flew to
heaven, leaving a stone horse and sword to
continue to keep the demons away. |
