Paradise Cave (Thien Duong Cave) - The Longest Dry Cave in Asia

Lying in the heart of Phong Nha Ke Bang, Quang Binh province, Paradise Cave is the Asia’s longest cave, with magical beauty of stalactites and stalagmites. It is considered as a masterpiece of nature with myriads of thousand-year-old stalactites hidden deep in the ground.

I. Discovery and Exploration

Paradise Cave was first discovered by a group of British cavers from British Cave Research Association in 1992. They came into the cave through a river and went out in a different way. Then, it was not until 2005 that a Vietnamese living in Phong Nha-Ke Bang joined the BCRA team to to seek for new cases and Paradise Cave was discovered from that.

The team explored 5 km of the Paradise Cave at the beginning, then they went on further excursion and found out that the cave was 31 km total in length, longer than the Phong Nha cave. The result of this exploration was announced officially in 2005 and from that, Paradise Cave has been known as the longest cave in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park.

II. Geological Features

Paradise cave is colossal with 72m in height, 150m in width and is 200m above the sea level. After several detailed comparisons, experts, specialists and cave researchers have come to a conclusion that Paradise cave’s limestone formations are among the most spectacular ones they ever seen in life. 

Paradise cave is beautifully embellished by incredible stalactites and stalagmites formation. Its unconventional and superb geological features are the main reasons leading to the discovery of a new species called “Vietbocap thienduongensis” of the “troglobiontic scorpion” in 2012.

III. What to See?

When entering a door which is created by a very small space and just fit for one person to get through the huge stone blocks laid on one another, you will surely be amazed by the spacious and magical scenes inside the cave.

Walk down the wooden stairs and explore the boardwalk for around 1km. Then, go ahead to the largest point of the cave to see some breathtaking speleothems. Here, you can spend 1 hour just gawking at every swirl and glimmer of the cave formations. It would be perfect if you bring cameras to take pictures of this scenery.

For more worthy experience, you can go further to the 7km Paradise cave underground trek with a local tour guide. Recently, an adventurous journey to explore the cave of 7km has been operated to serve tourists who expect to go further into the cave bowel.

Remember to bring head torches with you when exploring the cave. Once you reach the final destination, you can relax for lunch under a “skylight” where sunbeams shining through. 

IV. What to Eat When Visiting Paradise Cave?

If you are wondering what are the specialties in Quang Binh, here are a couple of suggestions for you.

1. Porridge Soup

Porridge soup is made of rice noodles, a combination of shrimp, fish or pork and some kinds of vegetables. People make fiber wheels by hand, through several steps such as kneading, rolling and cutting into thick and thin pieces. Before being served, they will pour the broth with green cabbage on top of it.

2. The Filter Cake

The filter cake, also known as Banh Bot Loc, is one of the best foods in Quang Binh province. The locals make it with braised pork,shrimps cassava powder and wood ear mushrooms, then cover them with banana leaves. When eating, people will dip it into chili sauce to create stunning flavour in their mouth.

V. Where to Stay?

The number of hotels and homestays near Paradise Cave is quite high, so you don’t need to worry about accommodation here. Some of the best ones can be listed below.

1. Granny’s House Homestay

• Location: Son Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Binh
• Tel: 094 197 57 59

2. Carambola Bungalow

• Location: Phong Nha, Bo Trach, Quang Binh
• Tel: 098 473 03 72

3. Chay Lap Farmstay & Resort

• Location: Phuc Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Binh
• Tel: 091 103 00 57

VI. How to Get There?

From town, take the route 20. Go along for about 14 km before reaching the intersection. Then, turn right to Ho Chi Minh Highway West and continue your trip for 5 kilometers to reach the gate. The appropriate transportation can be motorbike or car. 

Paradise cave sees an increasing popularity of tourists throughout the year thanks to its beautiful brilliance ranging from rarity, diversity, size to cave formations. Thus, why are you hesitating to go to this place?

VII. Tips on Visiting Paradise Cave

• Visit Paradise cave in the early morning to have more amazing experience.
• Avoid visiting this cave during the rainy season, which lasts from September to December.
• Prepare yourself a map on the way to Paradise cave.