Visit Kim Son at the end of the year.

In the final days of the year, as the city streets become crowded with vehicles carrying people returning home for Tet (Lunar New Year), we left that bustling life behind to seek out the scenic Kim Son area in Bien Thuong commune. From National Highway 217, the road leading to the tourist area gradually became quieter, the honking of cars faded, replaced by the smell of damp grass and the pungent odor from the swamps – a very unique scent of this mountainous region...

Kim Son scenic area in Bien Thuong commune has great potential to become a famous tourist destination.

Along the way, I encountered many groups of young people sharing the same choice. In the scenic area, often described as the "miniature Trang An" of Thanh Hoa province, the atmosphere became more lively with laughter, chatter, and people adjusting their camera angles. Some carefully turned their lenses, while others slowly posed to fully immerse themselves in the landscape... At the foot of Thung Vinh are towering limestone mountains. There, young people patiently waited for the sunrise. This waiting was due to a tip from the tour guide about "hunting" for beautiful photos. And then, when the first rays of sunlight pierced through the thin mist, reflecting on the calm water, it immediately captivated the young people who had prepared their frames. Some posed on the mossy mountain slopes, while others quietly stood at the bow of the boat, letting the early morning breeze blow through their hair, as if wanting to slow down the passage of time.

Leaving the group of young people, we followed a trail along the foot of the mountain, walking about 500 meters to reach Tien Son Cave. The cave entrance is located at an altitude of about 70 meters. When the cave was first discovered, people had to climb using trees clinging to the rock face to reach the entrance. Now it's easier, with the investment in a staircase. Beyond the entrance are stalactite formations in countless shapes. Some resemble turtles, crabs, or even a musical instrument... Standing amidst this space, I understood why many young people chose to come here to see it firsthand after seeing photos and videos online.

Ahead lies the "fairy well," where tiny drops of water trickle down. Nguyen Thu Ha (23 years old), from Hac Thanh ward, gazes intently at it. Ha shared: "I saw it online and thought it was beautiful, but only by coming here can I truly appreciate the grandeur of nature. I feel this trip is not only for taking beautiful pictures, but also for learning more about history and nature."

Leaving the dry cave, we boarded a boat to continue our journey on the water. The late-year chill slowed the boat's pace through the lagoon, gliding beneath the reflected limestone cliffs. The atmosphere was so quiet that even the gentle sound of the oars was enough to create ripples on the water's surface. From the boat, many young people continuously raised their cameras to take quick photos, perhaps because every angle offered a unique picture. The boat docked at Ngoc Kieu Cave – one of the caves with two levels, preserving ancient inscriptions on the rock walls. After visiting and taking photos at the most beautiful spots, the group continued their journey to explore Kim Son Water Cave.

To enter the cave, the boat had to travel deep into the heart of the mountain. Passing through Phong Mon, the lights came on, tiny like fireflies in the misty space. The boatman explained that the water level inside the cave was 5-7 meters deep, with an underground stream flowing through the mountain before emptying into the Ma River. After about 20 minutes in the boat inside the cave, the group of tourists were all excited and curious. When the light at the end of the cave appeared, the boat slowly glided out of the mountain. The vast field ahead left many in awe.

Besides its caves, the Kim Son scenic area also attracts visitors to Linh Ung Pagoda – an ancient temple dating back to the Ly Dynasty, restored during the Bao Dai era. The pagoda is nestled against Hang Mountain, with a tranquil lotus pond in front and the Kim Son water cave beside it. However, perhaps the most enjoyable experience for visitors, especially young people, is witnessing the wild monkeys descending the mountain to forage for food. "You have to watch the time and hide very carefully. Only when there are no humans around do the monkeys come down to the foot of the mountain to find food," revealed the temple's abbot. Tran Minh Quan (27 years old), from Hanoi, said it was the first time he had seen such a large troop of monkeys in real life. It was a very exciting experience.

Concluding our year-end experience, Kim Son scenic area appears both majestic and approachable. Young people are busy searching for the perfect photo spots, while tourists listen to historical stories echoing from the cliffs and caves. Spanning over 173.54 hectares with magnificent limestone mountain ranges, Kim Son has enormous potential for tourism development.

The trip wasn't long, but it was enough for us to have a wonderful experience.

Text and photos: Dinh Giang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cuoi-nam-ghe-kim-son-277934.htm