Mysterious world inside Hang Son Doong, world's largest cave

Precious RongmeiPrecious Rongmei/TIMESOFINDIA.COM/TRAVEL TRENDS, VIET NAM/ Created : Jul 2, 2024, 22:06 IST

Mysterious world inside Hang Son Doong, world's largest cave

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Hang Son Doong, the colossal marvel in Vietnam, features unique geological formations, isolated ecosystems, and possibly unknown species. Discovered in 1990, it was fully explored in 2009, revealing its grandeur as the world's lar … Read more

Mysterious world inside Hang Son Doong, world's largest cave

What is Hang Son Doong? Located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, Hang Son Doong is the world's largest cave system, a colossal marvel of nature. Do you know what’s inside the largest cave in the world? Before we delve deeper into this mammoth of a cave, it’s important to know that we will be talking about things like unique geological formations, isolated ecosystems, weather pockets, and species that are probably still not known to mankind.

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Hang Son Doong is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders on our planet. Hang Son Doong, which translates to ‘cave of the mountain river,’ was discovered in 1990 by a local farmer named Ho Khanh. However, its size was not fully realised until a British-Vietnamese caving expedition led by Howard and Deb Limbert explored it in 2009, after a total of 19 years post discovery.

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Explorers say that the cave's entrance, hidden in dense jungle, emits a thunderous roar due to the underground river flowing through it. It is assumed that this might be one of the reasons why local explorers stayed away from this cave. The fear of the unknown is real with this one.

Post Limberts' expedition, it was revealed that Hang Son Doong was not just another cave but the largest known cave passage in the world.

How big is the world’s largest cave?

The grandeur of Hang Son Doong is apparent as soon as one enters. Son Doong Cave extends nearly 9 kilometres in length and has a volume of up to 38.5 million cubic metres, making it the largest natural cave on Earth. With this volume, Hang Son Doong is five times larger than Deer Cave in Malaysia, which was previously considered the largest natural cave with a volume of 9.5 million cubic metres before the discovery of Hang Son Doong. When it comes to age, it is believed that Hang Son Doong cave is somewhere between 2 and 5 million years old.

What’s inside Hang Son Doong cave?

Hope and Vision Passage: One of the largest sections of Son Doong Cave, Hope and Vision Passage is so vast that you can see light from Doline 1, which is 1.5 kilometres away! It is estimated that a 40-story skyscraper could easily fit within this passage, and it is large enough for a Boeing 747 to fly through. Additionally, this passage is home to the world's tallest stalagmite, standing at approximately 80 metres tall.

Cave’s river: Hang Son Doong Cave contains an underground river formed by water from En Cave and Khe Ry Cave. To reach the Hope and Vision Passage from the cave entrance, you must cross knee-deep rivers twice, with emergency bridges available for high water levels. The journey features small waterfalls and plenty of mist.

Doline 1 or Watch Out for Dinosaurs: The collapsed ceiling of Son Doong Cave created a large opening called Doline 1, or skylight, which is approximately 450 metres high from top to bottom. On sunny days, particularly from January to March, giant sunbeams illuminate the cave from around 11 am to 1 pm. Doline 1 is also a campsite.

Fossils: Located 40 metres below the Doline 1 campsite, this passage features fossils from hundreds of millions of years ago. It also contains an underground lake with temperatures between 17 to 20 degrees Celsius.

Doline 2 or Garden of Edam: To reach Doline 2, the second campsite, you will have to trek through a patch of rainforest for approximately 30 minutes. This primaeval rainforest is one of the most unique places on earth. Ample sunlight from the collapsed cave roof has supported the growth of ferns, begonias, and large trees.

Cave pearls: Cave pearls in Son Doong Cave vary in size. Some are as small as peas and some as large as baseballs.

Passchendaele Passage: During the rainy season, the passage fills with water, forming a beautiful jade-green lake. When the lake is full, tourists use rafts or boats to navigate through Passchendaele. This lake is located below the Great Wall of Vietnam.

Great Wall of Vietnam: There’s the famous and gigantic Great Wall of China (in China), and then there is the Great Wall of Vietnam, a 90-metre-high calcite barrier, inside this cave. This massive formation was a significant obstacle for the initial explorers and required climbing gear to scale.

Hang Son Doong Cave’s unique ecosystems

Sometimes it’s difficult to imagine a place that has managed to remain in isolation for so long. But Hang Son Doong is a reality and it is a unique place. It is due to this, that inside Hang Son Doong, you will find ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth. The cave's environment varies from other cave systems due to its size and the presence of light in certain areas.

Within Hang Son Doong, the aforementioned dolines or sinkholes, where sections of the cave roof have collapsed, allowing sunlight to penetrate, have resulted in the formation of lush, verdant jungles, teeming with life. Untouched by civilisation, these underground rainforests are home to unique species of plants, insects, and even small animals, creating a unique ecosystem entirely cut off from the outside world.

The cave's isolated environment has led to the evolution of species found nowhere else. Explorers have discovered new species of fish, shrimp, and insects adapted to the cave's dark and nutrient-poor conditions. These organisms have developed unique features, such as reduced pigmentation and blindness, to survive in the perpetual darkness.

The interior of Hang Son Doong features landscapes that seem almost otherworldly. For instance, the Hand of Dog is one such particularly famous formation. This stalagmite formation resembles a massive hand reaching out from the cave floor, adding to the cave's mystique and intrigue.

Look around and you will find many of the cave's stalagmites and stalactites covered in a vibrant green moss, giving the impression of an alien landscape. The moss thrives in the humid, dark environment of the cave. .

How to visit Hang Son Doong?

First of all, Oxalis is the only adventure tour company permitted to conduct tours through Hang Son Doong, from the entrance all the way to the Great Wall of Vietnam. The 6-days-5-nights journey is not for the faint of heart. The journey to the cave involves a strenuous trek through dense jungle, crossing rivers, and navigating steep terrain. Once inside, explorers must traverse the cave's vast chambers, climb over massive boulders, and wade through underground rivers.

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Due to the cave's delicate ecosystem and challenging conditions, access to Hang Son Doong is highly regulated. Only a limited number of guided expeditions are allowed each year, led by experienced cavers. All slots are booked for 2024.

As one of the most extraordinary natural wonders on Earth, Hang Son Doong has captured the imagination of adventurers, scientists, and nature enthusiasts worldwide. Its enigmatic beauty and unique features continue to draw interest and inspire awe.

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Despite the extensive exploration that has already taken place, Hang Son Doong still holds many secrets. Ongoing research and exploration may uncover new chambers, formations, and species, further enhancing our understanding of this remarkable cave system. Scientists continue to study Hang Son Doong to better understand its ecosystems and geological features. Ongoing research helps inform conservation efforts and ensures that this natural wonder remains preserved for future generations.