Tu Thuc - the best cave in Thanh Hoa

Located in the heart of a mountain in the majestic Tam Diep range in Nga Thien commune, Nga Son district, more than 40 km northeast of Thanh Hoa city, Tu Thuc Cave is considered one of the most beautiful caves in Thanh Hoa with Majestic mountain scenery and shimmering stalactites associated with the legend of Tu Thuc marrying a fairy. 

Tu Thuc Cave is more than 200 meters long, thousands of square meters wide, the highest dome is about 40 meters, and inside there are countless strange-shaped stalactites. The cave is associated with the thrilling legend of Tu Thuc meeting a fairy. Tu Thuc Cave is located on the slope of a rocky mountain, surrounding the rocky mountain are large fields. The highest dome is about 40m. The cave still retains its original and wild features like in the beginning.

From the foot of the mountain, to reach Tu Thuc cave, visitors need to climb over 100 steps. The long steps, made of concrete, are surrounded by dense trees. Soft, intertwined vines form hammocks along the path. 

Outside the cave entrance are two ancient trees thousands of years old. Wrapped around the thi tree are hundreds of years old vines (a type of climbing plant) hanging down in a hammock shape. Legend has it that this is a fairy hammock for Giang Huong to rest in. Outside the cave entrance, there is also a small sacred shrine worshiping Son Than. Next to that are two poems carved on the stone slab right at the cave entrance and the handwriting is still as new as when carved. The first poem is by Lord Trinh Sam, dated 1771. The second poem is by Le Quy Don, engraved by the latter in 1905.

The cave consists of two main caves, the outer cave is extremely spacious, with an arc-shaped ceiling like a giant bowl facing down. Inside the ceiling are peach-shaped stalactites, underneath the background are shimmering, fanciful stalactites.
Continuing along the narrow corridor, visitors will reach the inner cave. Inside the cave there are many colorful sparkling stalactites shaped like a pair of birds, a semi-mechanical body, and a tray of five fruits. When you knock on this stalactite, it will resonate like a guitar made of stone.

The two turns at the end of the cave are "Tu Thuc's road to the fairyland" with neat stone steps. The second turn is the "road to hell" - turning deep into the heart of the mountain with spiral paths and bumpy stairs in a dark, damp space.

In the cave, there is still Tu Thuc temple.