Tu Lan Cave System is a stunning cave system located in the depths of the Quang Binh Province jungle. Renowned for its underground rivers, majestic stalactites, and natural beauty, Tu Lan is an immersive experience where trekking, river traversing, and cave exploration come together in one single expedition.
Introduction To Tu Lan Cave System
The Tu Lan Cave System is located in Tan Hoa Village at the southern end of Quang Binh Province and is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular and unknown natural landmarks. With over 20 dry and wet water-filled cave sections created by old underground rivers and unique geological activity, it covers a wide area of valleys, caves, and limestone terrain, including dense rainforests, limestone cliffs, and high hills. Visitors come to Tu Lan to see all of its impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations while exploring some of the most beautiful caves and rivers in Asia.
Most tourists visit Tu Lan for the experience of being outdoors on this exotic adventure through trekking, visiting underground caves, swimming in rivers, and camping in the surrounding wilderness. The trek through the caves passes through many underground rivers that flow through cold, large chambers containing an array of interesting rock formations, and sleeping under the stars at night in completely unspoiled rainforest environments. Tu Lan is one of the most exciting and fulfilling caves in Quang Binh!
History Of Tu Lan Cave System
There are a variety of stories associated with the origin of the name Tu Lan, but according to the senior members of Tan Hoa Village, there is a rich history associated with the name in the language of Nguồn from a very old period. The name ‘Lan’ is associated with a river, which originates from ‘Rao Nan’ and flows into the Tu Lan valley. The river becomes invisible when it moves underground, but it re-emerges at the entrance of Tu Lan Cave, where it resembles a tongue protruding from a mouth when one is outside.
Meanwhile, “Tu” is believed to refer to the limestone mountain ranges that encircle this valley, rising tier upon tier. Most of the caves that are included in the Tu Lan Cave System are actually connected by this underground river, and this river ends at the very end of Tu Lan Cave, which is where the significance of its name comes from.
Top 10 Iconic Caves In Tu Lan Cave System
The Tu Lan Cave System encompasses an astonishing collection of caves with varied sizes, histories, and geological personalities. From dry caverns that have served as film sets to expansive river caves that researchers are still exploring, these renowned sites highlight the striking variety found within Tu Lan.
Rat Cave
Rat Cave was discovered in the Tu Lan area in 1992 and is still one of the largest dry caves in the Tu Lan Cave System. Rat Cave measures more than 280 meters long with an average height of between 15 and 20 meters and corridors that can be over 30 meters wide. The entrance of Rat Cave has a flat floor and is large enough for many people to enter at the same time. The sheer size and natural light of Rat Cave have allowed it to be used as a location for many popular Vietnamese films, highlighting the cultural and natural significance of this cave.
Secret Cave
The Secret Cave was found by accident by local porters and later surveyed in 2013. While the cave isn’t very long, at approximately 200 meters, there are some pretty unique features like a really big cave passage and cool formations. The biggest thing about this cave is the presence of rare cave pearls and unique mineral formations that have made this cave an interesting geological find. The cave is so quiet and out of the way that you would think that’s how it got its name!
Hung Ton Cave
Hung Ton Cave was surveyed for the first time in 1992 by its water entrance. The dry passage of the cave was discovered in 2012. In the cave, there were found to be two human skeletons were found, estimated to be around 100 years old. Along with this, there are shells found scattered in the cave. This indicates that ancient people could have lived here. The cave is approximately 500 meters long. Here, one has to climb a 15-meter ladder and swim.
Ken Cave
Located in 2010 and measuring over 3 kilometers long, the longest water cave in Tu Lan is named Ken Cave. In a peculiar twist, it was found that there was little to no actual flow of water during the initial expedition. However, a follow-up trip in 2011 found a 5-meter waterfall cascading out of the cave. With its massive entrance, broad passages of up to 30 meters wide, and characteristic stalactite columns, it is no surprise that it has been featured in award-winning photos by Carsten Peter.
Tu Lan Cave
Tu Lan Cave shares the same timeframe as Ken Cave and was previously classified as the largest in the system when it was first discovered. It contains a large chamber with floors that are approximately 35 meters in width, stalactites measuring more than 30 meters, and what appears to be chandeliers formed from large stone structures. It is an awe-inspiring underground fortress of massive proportions that creates an atmosphere of grandeur.
Kim Cave
A Dutch traveler first discovered Kim Cave in 2012, and it has since been surveyed by the British-Vietnamese Cave Exploration Team. The length of the cave is more than 1,200 metres, and it has both wide dry areas and water sections that can be as wide as 25 metres.. Swimming through an underground river for nearly 450 metres and rock climbing make Kim Cave one of the most exciting caves in Tu Lan.
Song Cave
Song Cave was discovered in 2017, and it is located topmost on a hill, 200 meters above To Mo Valley. It measures over 600 meters long, making it an important site for researchers to study, especially because of its lively stalactites. The topography of this site has been so delicate that researchers have restricted paths to help them with their research, including analysis of water drips to determine information about climate change.
Dry Ken Cave
Dry Ken Cave was discovered in 2018 above the Ken Cave. This amazing cave system stretches over 700 meters and can reach a height of approximately 15 to 20 meters. There are many types of formations in this cave, including: Stalactites, Stalagmites, Towers that look like Coral, etc. The dry passageways of this cave contrast with the Wet Cave above Ken Cave.
Tien Cave 1
The Tien Cave 1 cave system is located at the far end of the Tu Lan cave system and is one of the more dramatic caves in that system. It is approximately 2.5 km long, has a maximum width of 45 m for both the ceiling and floor, and has a height at the entrance of around 100 meters in height. Tien Cave has at least three levels. To access the second level from the first level requires climbing a 12 m-long ladder, and the third level remains unexplored. Thus, Tien Cave 1 continues to have a certain level of intrigue attached to it.
Tien Cave 2
Tien Cave 2 was discovered by local porters in 2015 and officially surveyed in 2016. It is a 2.5 km-long cave system located to the east of the Tien cave systems, where research has indicated an underground river may connect Tien Cave 1 and Tien Cave 2. At the time of its discovery, the Tien cave systems were the largest and oldest cave systems in the Tu Lan area, representing a significant advancement in the study of caves within the region.
3 Unforgettable Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss
A trip to explore the Tu Lan cave system is not a sightseeing excursion but a fully immersive adventure that tests your body and spirit. Every experience you have during your trip is an opportunity to move out of your comfort zone and connect with the natural world.
Challenge Yourself With Jungle Trekking
Trekking the rugged wilderness of Tu Lan is the beginning of the whole tour and combines an exciting physical challenge with stunning natural beauty. The first part of the trek is a hike through a tropical rainforest on narrow paths, with many chances to see the local flora and fauna up close and personal before you feel the coolness of the morning air. As you emerge from the jungle, you’ll find yourself in huge open valley areas surrounded by tall limestone cliffs, where you can take great panoramic views and incredible photos.
However, the best part of the adventure is that after hiking, you’ll experience the thrill of going into a dark cave with water bodies and rocky surfaces. Each step of trekking through the dark caves, whether it’s walking, wading through water, or walking over rocky surfaces, provides a physical challenge that tests both your physical stamina and adventurous spirit.
Swim Through Dark And Mysterious Caves
In Tu Lan, swimming through vast wet caves stands out as one of the most memorable activities. Unlike a dry cave system, adventurers in Tu Lan must wear life jackets and waterproof equipment in order to navigate underground rivers or experience deep pools that are in near-complete darkness.
While some water tunnels can extend hundreds of meters long, adventurers can expect to find their way through pure, cold water, which consistently flows underneath stunning stalactites and mineral-coated walls. The total sounds of silence felt will take you to another planet, where you move smoothly through the cave only using headlamps and sound cues for direction, combining raw beauty with an immense physical workout.
Camp Overnight In The Heart Of The Jungle
An overnight camping experience in Tu Lan is one way to fully enjoy the natural beauty of Tu Lan Cave. The majority of tours include camping spots close to cave entrances or in the middle of the forest. The advantage is that one can spend the night sleeping with a sky full of stars and listening to nature. The entire camping process is handled by experienced porters and guides. After a day of trekking and swimming, sitting by a campfire and exchanging stories is one way to feel a connection to nature, and one of the best things to do in Quang Binh.
Entrance Fee
However, to visit the Tu Lan Cave system, one must do so by joining an adventure tour. The cost of these adventure tours is between VND 2,000,000 and VND 11,000,000 per person, which is around USD 80 to USD 450 per person, depending on the length of the tour.
Best Time To Visit Lan Cave System
Tu Lan Cave System provides a diverse offering of experiences for most of the year in Quang Binh. Choosing the right time of year can add some excitement to your trip. Easy trekking, warm water swimming, or a cooling night for your campsite are possible if you pick your time wisely.
- January to March offer cooler days, interspersed with occasional cold temperatures or rainfall, but also with sufficient periods of sunny weather for forest explorations to feel healthy and revitalizing.
- April and May bring warmth and comfort, which provide an excellent setting for wildflowers and jungles in bloom before becoming hot during summertime.
- June to August bring potentially scorching temperatures outdoors, but most of this period will be spent indoors in cooled caves or woodlands, so temperatures will remain at 22-25°C. These conditions are ideal for swimming in underground rivers and natural swimming pools.
- In September, the tours sometimes take a break due to the flooding risk of the rainy season, so it’s advisable to avoid this period, roughly from mid-September to the end of December.
In summary, the period between the months of February and August provides a perfect blend of favorable weather and easily accessible cave conditions to fully engage in the activities of Tu Lan.
How To Get To Lan Cave System
For travel from Dong Hoi city to the Tu Lan Cave System, taking a private car or tourist shuttle service would be easiest. Most adventure trips to this location begin at Phong Nha Cave, which takes about an hour to get to from Dong Hoi. Private car transfers to this location range from USD 40 to 60, or take a tourist shuttle for USD 10 to 15 per person. Most adventure trips to this location begin at Tan Hoa village.
Things To Know Before Traveling to the Lan Cave System
The Tu Lan cave system is an adventure destination, not a standard sightseeing location. Therefore, it is essential to prepare properly in order to have the best possible experience while remaining safe within the wilderness environment of a cave and jungle.
- Taking a licensed adventure tour is mandatory because independent exploration is prohibited due to safety and conservation measures taken by the authorities.
- You may expect to swim frequently, navigate through rivers throughout this system of caves, and swim through the cave systems where many of the caves have river systems that connect them.
- Choose a month to go when the weather is dry, as there will be lower water levels and a more stable trekking environment.
- Wearing appropriate adventure gear, such as water-resistant trekking shoes and quick-drying clothing, will ensure that you stay comfortable and dry throughout. A reliable headlamp to help you traverse through dark caves
- Travel light and waterproof, using dry bags to protect personal gear and electronic devices when swimming or unexpectedly encountering water.
- Carefully follow the guide’s directions, especially in wet caves and in river currents, so as to protect oneself as well as the surroundings.
Final Thoughts: Is Lan Cave System Worth Visiting?
In conclusion, the Tu Lan Cave System is a must-visit for all adventurers and nature lovers looking for authentic exploration experiences. The Tu Lan Cave System’s collection of wild caves and jungle landscapes provides the ultimate combination of nature and adventure. While other places have been commercialized and lost touch with nature, Tu Lan allows one to experience nature through trekking, swimming, and camping. Let Seni World be your guide through this incredible destination and make your Tu Lan experience a smooth and memorable one.
