Hang Thiên Cảnh Sơn

Useful Information

Location:	Tuần Châu, Thành phố Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh. On Thiên Cảnh Sơn island, Ha Long Bay, accessible from Thiên Cảnh Sơn Beach on a short walk. (20.8819256, 107.1695662)
Open:
Fee:
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent Coloured Light
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided, D=30-45 min, St=100.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Hang Thiên Cảnh Sơn, Tuần Châu, Thành phố Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, Tel: +84-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Hang Thiên Cảnh Sơn (Thien Canh Son Cave) is located on Hon Co Island, also called Thien Canh Son island, in Bai Tu Long Bay. The name means "mountain with the view of fairy land", and it was given to the cave when it was developed as a show cave. The locals call it Hang Co (Grass Cave). It is in Cong Do Nature Reserve and Ha Long Bay Heritage Site. It was developed rather carefully, the trails were not concreted, they were built using the natural material of the cave. There are no railings, and the trail often looks like the rest of the cave floor. The visitors are guided by two rows of tiny LED lamps on the floor, which mark the trail. However, walk carefully, the steps are often irregular.

The cave has more or less the same features as any show cave in the area, a wealth of speleothems with fancy names, and a trail from the jetty up to the cave entrance which offers a great view on Bai Tu Long Bay. The cave has a second entrance on the opposite side of the island, which offers a view to the north. It is in the middle of the cliff, so visitors have to return through the cave. The electric light seems to be a little less colourful than in the other caves, but that is probably just wishful thinking. Like all other caves, it actually requires a boat tour with one of the boat operators to get to the island. Normally, the cave visit is included in the ticket of the boat tour.

This cave is a little different, as there are not only jetty and vertical limestone cliffs, there is actually a beach on the southern side of the island. That's why this site is rather popular, it is possible to swim, kayak, sit in the beach café and visit the cave. A few years ago it was possible to book a dinner in the cave, but this was discontinued. However, there are also some drawbacks. It seems the cave is rather small, many stalactites and stalagmites were removed by the local fishermen to sell them, before it was converted into a show cave. Also, there are actually guides which use laser pointers to show fancy forms of speleothems, quite annoying for photographers. And there are huge numbers of visitors, a result of the beach, which makes this island quite popular. So if you want to avoid crowds, you are wrong here.