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| The stalactite system in Pe Rang Ky cave was formed over millions of years with bizarre shapes that attract tourists to visit. Photo trangtraiviet.vn |
The cave is hidden at the foot of a cliff in the middle of a majestic mountainous region. It is 800m long at an altitude of more than 1,000m above sea level.
Over the years, Pe Rang Ky cave has become a tourist destination, attracting many visitors who come to admire its mysterious and pristine beauty.
The cave was recognised as a national level relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in early 2019.
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| Pe Rang Ky cave attracts tourists from the cave entrance with intact stalactites. Photo trangtraiviet.vn |
To reach Huoi So Commune, one of the two communes of Tua Chua District with the Da River flowing through, we had to cross nearly 20km to go to the centre of Xa Nhe Commune. Continuing along the northeastern slope, through Ta Hu Trang mountain range by Tua Thang-Huoi So road, then passing Ta Si Lang pass for more than 10km, we came to Huoi So – the most remote commune of Tua Chua District.
The cave is about 30km from the centre of Huoi So Commune. To reach one of the most beautiful parts of the cave system in Dien Bien Province, we had to continue the journey on winding passes under the green forest and went through five of the commune’s nine villages.
The Pa Phong suspension bridge in Pa Phong Village was an impressive highlight of the natural scene here. The bridge’s two sides are steep and tall cliffs. Cool climate, unique geology and geomorphology have formed a unique biodiversity area here.
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| The Pa Phong suspension bridge in Pa Phong village creates an impressive highlight for the magnificent natural scene in Tua Chua District. VNA/VNS Photo Xuan Tien |
Passing Huoi Ca Village, we arrived in Huoi Long Village where many Dao ethnicity people live. Huoi Long Village is located along the Da River. Huoi Long River wharf is the only place where a market is held four times per month on the Da River with countless goods and agricultural products on offer.
Leaving the Huoi Long River wharf, after about 5km we arrived at Pe Rang Ky cave. The cave has three compartments, each with its own mysterious beauty.
The first compartment of the cave features large stone pillars with a height of about 10m like giant mushrooms. The two sides of the cave wall are grey stalactites, sticking together to create many shapes such as ploughs, harrows and hoes for labour and production.
The second compartment is about 2m higher than the first. It is 320m long, 10 – 15m wide, and 10 – 17m high. The cave floor features extraordinary stalactites formed from drops of limestone water over thousands of years.
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| A vessel circulate on the Da River at Tua Chua District in Dien Bien Province. VNA/VNS Photo Xuan Tien |
In this compartment, stalactites create diverse and rich shapes like corals, buddha statues and ivory. It is like a landscape picture inlaid with gold and silver, making the space shimmering and fanciful. The two sides of the cave wall are long rocks that look like chandeliers.
The third one is longer, taller, wider and more beautiful than the two previous compartments. The cave floor is large and rough rocks with square shapes and diagonal lines like a chessboard. On the sides of the cave wall are large strips of stalagmite. The air is extremely fresh here.
Notably, the last compartment has the enchanting visual beauty of the sparkling stalactite forest surrounding the clear lake.
According to the Department of Culture and Information of Tua Chua District, Pe Rang Ky cave was discovered by local people many years ago. To protect the beauty of the cave, the department has worked with the commune authorities to encourage nearly 30 households living and working around the relic not to build construction works or exploit the stone to avoid impacts on the natural landscape and ecological environment.
Coming to Pe Rang Ky cave, we had a chance to see a beautiful landscape in the majestic mountain area, saw terraced fields stretching and enjoyed the delicious dishes of locals here such as mountain goat, black-boned chicken, Mong Pe wine and San Tuyet tea, all while immersed in the sound of rhythmic pan-pipe and flute of the Mong people here.
VNS
