Heaven Gate Cave of Da Dung Mountain (Da Dung Mountain)

Contest Entry Code: 76c799b804af4c9098722b63eb10035e

Unit: Individual

Place of creation: Phường Hà Tiên, An Giang, Việt Nam

Da Dung Mountain, a striking limestone monolith rising approximately 100 meters high, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and adventurous exploration. Located just 7km from the heart of Ha Tien city, and close to the Vietnam-Cambodia border, this mountain beckons travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. Erecting Stone Mountain remains largely untouched, preserving its wild charm. Its interior is a labyrinth of 14 caves, both large and small, some interconnected to form a mysterious network. Navigating these caves is an adventure in itself, often requiring visitors to squeeze through narrow passages and ascend winding staircases (approximately 3200 meters) that carve their way to the mountain's summit. From wide, open caverns to narrow, dark passages, the diversity is astonishing. Inside, visitors can marvel at the intricate formations of stalactites and stalagmites, some similar to gourds, others shaped like bitter melons. Remarkably, the presence of oyster and snail shells embedded in the cave walls offers compelling evidence of a time when these caverns lay beneath the sea. Heaven Gate Cave: Accessed through Loc Ky Cave Commune, this deep, dark cave features a lighted staircase leading to the summit, culminating in an exit that requires squeezing through a narrow opening.