Essay Prompt: Describing a Scenic Marvel, Exemplary Essay #1
I. Detailed Outline
II. Sample Essay
Exemplary Essay on Describing a Scenic Marvel, Sample Essay #1
I. Detailed Outline Describing a Scenic Marvel
1. Introduction
- Introduce the subject of description: The scenic marvel that I intend to present.
- Share my general thoughts about that scenic marvel.
2. Body of the Essay
a) General Introduction:
- Geographic location, address
- Area
- Means of transportation to get there
- Surrounding scenery
b) Introduction to the Historical Formation:
- Construction time, origin of formation...(Continued)
>> View the Detailed Outline Describing a Scenic Marvel here.
II. Sample Essay on the Scenic Beauty, Sample #1
There was a poet who once wrote about Trang An:
'Floating clouds over Trang An's water,
A boat silently traces shadows amid a myriad of mountains and rivers.
Oars rhythmically echo the feelings,
Heavenly clouds also share the same worldly stream.'
Trang An, a place of high value in natural beauty and unique cultural features. The beauty here is untouched, simple, and rustic, yet with subtle sophistication. It's no coincidence to call Trang An's landscape ensemble an 'Outdoor Geological Museum.'
Tràng An Landscape Complex is a harmonious blend of mountains, skies, and water, creating a place of immense value in various aspects: scenery, geology, biodiversity, culture, and history. Positioned 3km south of the ancient capital Hoa Lu, approximately 7km west of Ninh Binh city along the Trang An Avenue, and 16km north of Tam Diep via Tam Coc, it sits 96km south of Hanoi. The total area of the Trang An - Tam Coc heritage site is 6,172 hectares. In the ensemble of Trang An's scenic beauty, the Hoa Lu ancient capital is to the north, Tam Coc - Bich Dong area to the south, and the eco-tourism zone of Trang An in the center. These locations are connected by the Hoa Lu limestone mountain range, along with a system of rivers, lakes, and ponds.
The historical significance of Trang An is closely tied to the events of King Dinh Tien Hoang, who chose this site as the southern fortress protecting the capital Hoa Lu in the 10th century. Later, the Tran dynasty utilized this location as the Vu Lam royal palace during the resistance against the Mongol invasions. It is also a place where many historical relics from the Dinh and Tran dynasties are preserved.
Trang An, a land of water and sky intertwined. The crystal-clear water and towering limestone cliffs create a breathtaking panorama. It encompasses 31 lakes and 48 interconnected caves forming water basins, including caves extending up to 2km. The cave system here is incredibly diverse, both in form and variety. Each cave boasts its own magical beauty and unique charm, with intriguing names such as Dark Cave, Bright Cave, Earth Spirit Cave, Brewing Wine Cave, or Beer Drop Cave. Inside these caves, beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, along with pure water droplets, create an enchanting, sparkling, and mystical atmosphere. Exploring these caves on a boat provides an immersive experience of their magnificent beauty. The glistening rock formations and crystalline stalactites offer a serene and refreshing ambiance. It's a moment of tranquility, fully enjoyed in the embrace of a stunningly beautiful cave. Visiting the Dark Cave, tourists encounter surprisingly spacious caverns. The Bright Cave, true to its name, presents a beauty with shimmering, luminous, and magical stalactites. The Brewing Wine Cave and Rice Cooking Cave have equally impressive names, associated with the legend of a giant brewing wine and cooking rice for a mountain feast. According to legend, people came here to collect water to offer the king. Archaeological research has found numerous tools for brewing wine in these caves. In addition, Trang An boasts other fascinating caves waiting to be explored, such as the Rice Mountain Cave, Rainbow Cave, Lang Cave, Ao Trai Cave, each with valuable archaeological relics. These caves are recognized as archaeological relics, and global researchers study the Drum Cave site with artifacts dating back 3000-30000 years, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Trang An.
Trang An features two major ecosystems: the limestone mountain ecosystem and the aquatic ecosystem. This is a place where the natural environment harmoniously integrates with living organisms, mountains, forests, caves, and water bodies, creating a picturesque landscape of lush greenery and vibrant blue waters. Trang An is home to over 600 plant species, 200 animal species, including various rare and precious species. The limestone terrain hosts advanced plant species such as limestone, sưa, lát, nghiến, orchids, and wild vegetables, along with rare animals like muntjacs, leopards, and phoenixes. The richness and diversity of the flora and fauna here contribute to the uniqueness of this scenic land.
Trang An is regarded as a 'Land-based Halong Bay' with numerous geological and topographical values. The landscape here forms a complete structure with typical limestone formations including towers, valleys, depressions, and caves. The geology and hydrology here are exceptionally unique. Looking from a boat floating on the Trang An river, visitors can cast their gaze upon the stunning limestone mountains. Majestic cliffs with various shapes, intertwined with lush vegetation and mountain goats climbing the cliffs, create a beautiful and poetic scene.
Visitors can explore Trang An with a 3-hour boat tour or a mountain climbing tour for those seeking adventure and challenge. In addition to exploring the Trang An scenic complex mainly by water with leisurely boat rides admiring the river scenery, visitors can also explore the area by land, starting from the Tran Temple. Especially, experiencing the interesting mountain climbing is a thrilling option.
The Trang An Festival takes place over 3 days, from the 17th to the 19th of the lunar March each year, aiming to honor the two great deities, Quy Minh and Cao Son, who guarded the four regions of Hoa Lu and the kings of the early Tran Dynasty who established the Vu Lam royal palace. The festival includes many activities on the water, such as processions, water parades, and dragon boat races, expressing gratitude to those who have contributed to the country. The Trang An Festival is organized on a large scale with cultural performances and unique games along the river during the processions.
It is no coincidence that Trang An has become a major source of inspiration for the arts, including poetry, painting, and most recently, cinema. The natural beauty and pristine landscapes have been a significant muse for many artists. Trang An in poetry is vividly depicted. In the poem 'Sơn thủy Tràng An,' an author wrote:
To hone the skill of writing an Exposition about a scenic spot, in addition to the sample essay introduced here, you can also refer to other outstanding essays such as: Exposition about the scenic spot Perfume Pagoda, Exposition about the scenic spot Ancient Town Hoi An, Exposition about the scenic spot Ha Long Bay, Exposition about the scenic spot Elephant Mountain.
