Son Doong among world's 10 best caves: Time Out
PSNews - According to Timeout, natural caves don’t come much larger than Son Doong, which is located close to the border between Laos and Vietnam. This mammoth abyss boasts the largest cross-section of any known cave on the planet, a vast area that is difficult to describe.
Recently, Quang Binh's Son Doong cave has listed among world's 10 best caves by Global magazine Timeout. Located in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Son Doong has captured international spotlight since it was opened to tourists in 2013.
According to Timeout, natural caves don’t come much larger than Son Doong, which is located close to the border between Laos and Vietnam. This mammoth abyss boasts the largest cross-section of any known cave on the planet, a vast area that is difficult to describe.
Son Doong cave was first discovered in 1990 by Ho Khanh, a local man in Phong Nha town of Bo Trach district in Quang Binh province. It was later announced as the largest cave in the world with a volume of 38.5 million cubic metres, following exploration trips by the Royal British Cave Association.
The cave system includes at least 150 individual caves, a dense subterranean jungle, along with several underground rivers. The stalagmites here are pretty massive too, with some reaching up to a whopping 70 metres, writes the article.
The cave stretches for nine kilometres long and is punctuated by two huge ceiling collapses which invite in natural light to pour into the cave. This geological marvel has been bestowed with UNESCO's World Heritage Site status, adding to its allure and significance.
As reported, only 1,000 visitors are allowed to explore the cave a year for environmental reasons, and the tour is available only between January and August.
Trekkers accompanied by a specialist go through unique underground rainforests, kayak in rivers both above and below ground and climb a 90-meter-high wall dubbed "The Great Wall of Vietnam" with ropes and ladders.
