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Nature's artistry unfolds gracefully here, with crystal-clear waters, limestone cliffs, and glittering caves... Ao Dong - Luôn Sơn is emerging as a promising new destination captivating travelers to Hà Nam.
From Hanoi, we journey along the old Highway 1A, passing through Thường Tín District and Phú Xuyên, to embark on a day of discovery in Hà Nam.
Hà Nam may not be synonymous with numerous famous tourist spots, primarily known for its array of temples such as Bà Đanh Temple, Long Đọi Sơn, and unique architectural churches. Thus, tourism in Hà Nam remains relatively uncharted for many. However, perhaps from now on, those inclined towards exploration will have an additional destination in mind whenever they recall this region: Ao Dong - Luôn Sơn.
Besides the unmissable landmarks like Bà Đanh Temple and Bá Kiến House, along with indulging in renowned dishes such as Phủ Lý steamed rolled cakes, royal bananas, and village-style braised fish from Đại Hoàng, within the itinerary of places to visit lies a rather novel spot I've only recently come across. That is Ao Dong - Luôn Sơn.
Ao Dong lies within Liên Sơn Commune, Kim Bảng District. From downtown Phủ Lý, after crossing Hồng Phú Bridge, navigating to Bút Phong is quite straightforward as locals along the way are readily willing to provide directions.
Due to lack of tourism development, one must keenly observe to spot the sign leading to Ao Dong, written on a wooden board erected by the roadside. Being an area exploited for the cement industry, the existence of such tranquil beauty may come as a surprise to many.
After ascending the slope leading to the stone quarrying area, the group parked their vehicles at the foot of the hill and then ventured on foot towards the lake.
Owing to the encircling mountain ranges, this area remained relatively unknown until the stone mining activities revealed the pathway leading to the Luôn Cave area.
Continuing on foot past the slope, veering onto a small trail along the rocky mountainside, only then did they reach Ao Dong.
Leaving behind the hustle and bustle, the dust of the construction site outside, the scenery before them appeared serene and refreshing. Despite spanning just over 300 hectares, Ao Dong possesses the same beauty as the renowned limestone landscapes of Tam Cốc and Tràng An (Ninh Bình).
Like a grand mirror reflecting the majestic mountain landscape all around, the azure waters of the lake glisten, clearly revealing the mosses gracefully swaying with the water's flow, while above, the clusters of water lilies bloom...
The origin of the name Ao Dong remains a mystery, but many believe it stems from 'rong', due to the abundance of mosses, which was later mispronounced as 'Dong'.
Here, there's only a small house nestled against the mountain where the caretaker resides. Inquiring about renting a boat, we were informed that visitors from afar typically pay 10,000 VND for admission and an additional fee for the ferry.
However, after some negotiation, the woman agreed to 150,000 VND for six people to leisurely cruise the boat, without charging an additional 'entrance fee'.
During the dry season, navigating the cave is quite effortless. Luôn Cave stretches about 400m in length, relatively small in size, but the cave entrance boasts a wide arch with cascading foliage. When water levels rise, boats cannot enter the cave due to complete submersion.
Upon reaching the cave entrance, a cool breeze and whispering wind greeted us from both ends of the cave. Our boatwoman handed us flashlights and expertly paddled while providing insights into the various stalactites adorning the cave ceiling.
Untouched by human hands and unaffected by artificial lighting, the stalactites within the cave retain their natural allure, captivating in their diverse shapes and forms.
Venturing deep into the cave feels like sailing gently into a mythical fairy tale world.
As we journeyed through the heart of the cave, everyone seemed to merge with the tranquil scenery of the meadows below the limestone mountains outside. Pausing for a moment, the boat turned back along the old path, guiding guests to explore the additional cave on the right-hand side.
Crossing a small stone bridge leads to the entrance of the second water cave. This cave is enclosed and shorter, with deep water pools. The stalactites within the cave form a more diverse array, from rose-like formations to images of water ripples and feminine curves...
Enjoying the scenery, capturing moments... as we disembarked, we encountered some local residents relaxing by the pond after a day's work.
Conversations with them shed light on this piece of land. This is also where locals gather in the late afternoon to chat, cool off, or enjoy some tranquility at the end of the day.
After hours of exploring the natural wonders, the whole group happily lingered, listening to the melodies of chirping birds and the gentle flow of water cascading from the mountaintop.
Leaving Ao Dong - Luôn Cave as the afternoon sun gradually softens, the natural scenery becomes even more tranquil and serene. Perhaps from now on, we've added another destination to our travel journal whenever we reminisce about Hà Nam.
Source: Tuoitre.vn
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourNovember 6, 2015
