Location: Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area – Ha Long Bay, Sung Sot (Surprise) Grotto is on Bo Hon Island.
Characteristics: Covering area of 10,000m² in Bo Hon Island, Sung Sot Grotto 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 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. 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 grotto covers some 10,000m2. Inside the grotto 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 grotto. The chamber is so immense it could contain thousands of people at one time.
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.
◊ Fascinating Landscapes
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.
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.
Quang Ninh
Add: 12 Ha Long St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3636 555
Add: 20 Vuon Dao St., Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 194
Add: Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 320
Add: Ha Long St., Bai Chay, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3848 777/ 3847 209
Add: 63 Vuon Dao St., Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 268
Add: Group 8- Zone 4A, Hau Can St., Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3844 909
Add: Hau Can St., Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 234/ 3845 785
Tel: (84-203) 3646 618
Add: 19 Vuon Dao St., Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3844 634
Tel: (84-203) 3846 123
Add: Reu Island, Bai Chay, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3556 868
Add: 106 Vuon Dao St., Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 463
Tel: (84-203) 3844 908
Add: Group 5, Zone 9, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3619 699
Add: Group 19- Zone 4, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3844 448
Tel: (84-203) 3844 146/ 3844 148
Add: 8 Ha Long St., Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3845 810
Add: Group 9- Zone 4A, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3847 592
Add: Tuan Chau Island, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3815 088
Add: 46 - 48 Anh Dao St., Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 808
Add: 35 Ben Tau St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3828 951
Add: Yen Tu's telpher station, Uong Bi City
Tel: (84-203) 3661 027
Add: Ha Long St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3847 591
Add: 7 Tran Phu St., Cam Pha City
Tel: (84-203) 3862 467
Add: Khu 8, Cai Rong Townlet, Van Don Dist.
Tel: (84-203) 3874 256
Add: Bai Chay St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3847 037
Add: Bai Chay Tourist Centre, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 780
Add: 8 Le Thanh Tong St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3825 112
Add: Group 6, Yet Kieu Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 6293 666
Add: 98 Ben tau Hon Gai St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3811 279
Add: 6A Le Thanh Tong St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3656 339