Fairy Cave – A fascinating natural landscape amidst the mountains and forests of Tuyen Quang.

Fairy Cave – A fascinating natural landscape amidst the mountains of Tuyen Quang

Fairy Cave in Ham Yen is one of the famous scenic spots of Tuyen Quang province, classified as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam. This cave possesses magnificent beauty with a unique stalactite system and many captivating legends associated with folk culture.

Located amidst the rugged mountainous landscape, Fairy Cave is often likened by many tourists to “Phong Nha in the vast wilderness.” This is an attractive tourist destination where visitors can explore nature while learning about the unique cultural and spiritual values of the Tuyen land.

1. A brief introduction to Fairy Cave – a famous scenic spot of Tuyen Quang

Fairy Cave in Ham Yen is located in the Chân Quỳ mountain range, within the territory of Yen Phu commune, Ham Yen district of Tuyen Quang province. The cave is situated between two large mountains, Black Stone Mountain and White Horse Mountain, about 200m from National Highway 2 and approximately 55km from the center of Tuyen Quang city.

Fairy Cave is part of a cluster of 7 famous caves in Tuyen, including: Fairy Cave in Ham Yen; Stone Drum Cave; Heavenly Palace Cave; Heavenly Court Cave; Thach Sanh Cave; Tam Cung Cave; Underworld Cave.

Fairy Cave: a fascinating natural landscape in Tuyen Quang (Source: Vinpearl)

These caves are connected in a semicircular shape, creating a unique natural scenic system of the Ham Yen region.

Fairy Cave is located near the mountain peak, so the path to the cave is quite winding. However, when standing at the cave entrance looking down, visitors will be able to admire the vast, lush mountainous landscape, dotted with bright red wild banana flowers and peaceful countryside fields in the distance.

2. Legends associated with Fairy Cave

Fairy Cave in Ham Yen is not only famous for its natural beauty but also linked to a touching folk legend.

According to the legend, when descending to the mortal world, the seventh fairy fell in love with an orphaned boy. Knowing about this, the Jade Emperor was very angry and ordered her to fast and pray for 100 days. At the same time, her wedding must have enough rare birds and strange animals from the earthly realm.

Discover the beauty of Fairy Cave in Tuyen Quang (Source: Vietnam Travel)

Out of jealousy for her sister, the elder fairy reported to the Jade Emperor that the seventh fairy was not focused on praying but was just wandering everywhere. Hearing this, the Jade Emperor became furious and turned her and the offerings into stone.

By the spring of the following year, when the fairy court held a festival, the Jade Emperor did not see his daughter and felt nostalgic. After investigating the matter, he realized she was wronged and allowed her to return to the fairy realm.

At the same time, the Jade Emperor also ordered the locals to hold a festival on the 9th day of the first lunar month every year to commemorate the place where she once prayed. Since then, this cave has been called Fairy Cave.

3. The journey to explore the Fairy Cave in Ham Yen

The journey to explore Fairy Cave in Ham Yen begins from the path leading up the mountain with over a hundred stone steps covered in green moss.

3.1 Admiring the landscape from the cave entrance

Upon reaching the cave entrance, visitors can stop to gaze at the vast natural scenery of the Ham Yen region.

From here, you will see:

• Stretches of green mountains
• Valleys and fields in the distance
• The fresh and cool air of the mountainous region
• The natural scenery here brings a sense of relaxation and peace.
• Exploring the magical beauty inside the cave

Visitors admire the stunning mountainous landscape of Tuyen from the large stone gate of Fairy Cave (Photo: Collection)

Entering inside Fairy Cave in Ham Yen, visitors will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the stalactite system formed over millions of years.

On the high, wide cave ceiling, many strange shapes appear, such as:

• A mythical bird spreading its wings
• Stone blocks resembling Arhats
• A stone statue resembling the Goddess of Mercy sitting on a lotus throne
• Stone blocks resembling elephants and tigers

These images remind many people of famous fairy tales like Thach Sanh.

The light from the cave entrance and the crevices above shines inside, creating natural “skylights,” like giant spotlights illuminating the cave's interior, creating a mystical scene.

3.2 Exploring the stalagmite area and the Fairy altar

Venturing deeper into the cave, visitors will encounter a large stalagmite with shimmering colors. Behind the stalagmite is a marble block shaped like a pregnant woman.

At the deepest part of the cave is a five-tiered Fairy altar. On the altar is the image of the seventh fairy with a gentle face, in a praying posture.

The atmosphere here is imbued with spirituality and mystery, causing many visitors to stop and light incense for peace when they come to visit.

The stalactites in the cave have many unique shapes (Photo: Collection)

4. Discovering the Fairy Cave Festival in Ham Yen

The Fairy Cave Festival in Ham Yen is an important traditional festival of the local people in Ham Yen district.

The festival is held on the 9th day of the first lunar month every year at the Fairy Cave heritage site in Ham Yen.

4.1. The solemn ritual part

The ritual part of the festival takes place in a solemn atmosphere with traditional rites such as:

• The worship ceremony at the village's guardian deity shrine
• The procession and offering of incense at Fairy Cave
• The rite of distributing blessings for good luck

People and visitors participating in the festival all wish for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and peaceful lives.

4.2. The lively festival part with many cultural activities

After the solemn ritual part is the festival part with many distinctive cultural activities.

Visitors to the festival will experience:

• Traditional folk songs
• Flute dances of the Mong ethnic group
• Folk games like spinning tops, blindfolded goat catching
• Ethnic sports such as goat fighting, mountain climbing, volleyball
• The lively festival atmosphere imbued with the cultural identity of the highland ethnic groups.

4.3. Enjoying local specialties

The festival also features a rural fair where visitors can enjoy many local specialties from Tuyen Quang such as: dried beef from Yen Phu, wild fern salad, sour salted pork, sticky rice lam.

In addition, there are many famous specialties such as: Minh Huong duck, Nhân Mục carp, Dao people's vine wine, Cham Chu wine.

4.4. Buying specialties and medicinal herbs as gifts

The festival is also an opportunity for locals to promote agricultural and medicinal products.

Visitors can buy famous specialties as gifts such as:

• Hàm Yên oranges
• Phù Lưu fragrant sticky rice
• Wild honey
• Traditional brocade products

Additionally, many precious medicinal herbs from the highland people are also sold at the fair.

Fairy Cave in Ham Yen is one of the most beautiful and unique scenic spots in Tuyen Quang province. With its magical stalactite system, majestic mountainous landscapes, and colorful legends, it offers visitors a fascinating experience of exploring nature and culture.

If you have the chance to visit Ham Yen, don't forget to take the time to explore Fairy Cave to witness the natural masterpiece amidst the vast wilderness of Tuyen and immerse yourself in the unique traditional festival atmosphere here.
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Source: Vinpearl