Under the scorching sun, people flocked to Dong Co Cave to escape the heat.
(Baonghean.vn) - Known as a natural "air conditioning unit," Dong Co Cave in Dong Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, is chosen by many locals as a place to escape the heat during peak sunny days.
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| Dong Co Cave is located south of Dong Co Cliff – a massive limestone mountain range. Discovered by locals long ago, the cave has recently become known as a natural "temperature regulating chamber." Its low entrance served as a drainage point for the surrounding rice fields. |
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| On these hot days, starting at 11 a.m., dozens of locals flock to Dong Co Cave to escape the heat. The cave entrance, about 4 meters wide, has recently been cleaned, making it quite airy. |
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| Inside the cave, the temperature is low, below 20 degrees Celsius, quite cool and pleasant. People who come to escape the heat often hang hammocks on the rocks to sleep. |
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| According to Mr. Hoang Van Bao, a local resident: Dong Co Cave is quite deep. Previously, the cave entrance was high, making entry and exit easy, but now the entrance has been silted up by about 1.5 meters, making it difficult to get around. The outer 50 meters of the cave are very narrow; to go deeper, one has to crawl, kneel, or squat... People seeking shelter from the sun mainly congregate in the outer section (about 10 meters from the cave entrance). |
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| Many locals had already spread out mats inside the cave, so visitors could simply lie down upon arrival. Right where the mats were spread (about 5 meters from the cave entrance), one could clearly feel the cool air blowing from inside the cave outwards. |
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| When the outdoor temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius, resting in a cave is the perfect choice for most locals. Many families bring their children to Dong Co Cave to escape the heat. Le Huu Xuyen (31 years old), from Tinh Gia district, Thanh Hoa province, who was present at the cave, said: “I’ve heard about Dong Co Cave for a long time, but only now have I had the chance to come and escape the heat. The climate inside the cave is really cool, but the entrance is too narrow and needs improvement.” |
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| According to locals, there are many caves of varying sizes in Dong Co mountain, but this southern Dong Co cave is the largest. The cave has many nooks and crannies; the deeper you go, the wider, taller, and darker it becomes. Many stalactites and rock formations are eroded and smooth, and the ceiling is adorned with many beautiful, formed stalactite clusters. The cave contains water channels and numerous tree roots growing in large clumps and strands. Anyone wishing to explore deep inside should bring a flashlight and markers to avoid getting lost. It's also recommended to go in groups of 2-3 or more. |
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| As a suitable place to escape the heat and rest during hot days, Dong Co Cave has become well-known in recent years, attracting many tourists from far away. |
