While on a hike in 1991, a simple farmer stumbled across a previously unexplored cave in Phon Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam. The roar of water emanated from the entrance, frightening him, and he was afraid to enter. The local inhabitants named the cave Son Doong, but none of them dared to enter it.
It wasn’t until 2009 that a group of British scientists led by Howard Limbert, decided to go inside. What they found was an entirely self-contained world, five kilometres long and 150 metres wide, and was the most incredible cave they had ever seen. They were able to confirm that Son Doong is in fact, the largest cave on the planet.
This unique cave has its own flora, fauna, lakes and even clouds. Here are some photos and impressions of this incredible new world that’s been discovered.
The only way to get into the cave, you have to descend 80 metres under the ground using a rope.
There’s a river in the cave, with a fast current.
There are small, emerald-colored lakes, and even a few beaches.
The cave contains a wealth of ancient fossils and even stalactites.
They discovered stalagmites of record size — up to 70 metres tall — also ’grow’ there.
