Karst Above and Below the Surface

The Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark illustrates a complete tropical karst development cycle through caves with stalactite formations, as well as underground and surface rivers. The geological perspective therefore extends from visible waterways to caves and underground areas. Those interested in geology can view karst here as a developmental process rather than reducing it to a single formation.

The Geopark’s forested limestone mountains are also home to the rare and endangered eastern black-crested gibbon. Alongside the geological formations, biodiversity and the habitat of a rare species are therefore part of the natural perspective on Cao Bằng.

The Thang Hen lake system consists of 36 natural lakes connected by underground caves. This connection defines the character of the system: the lakes are not just separate bodies of water, but are linked to one another by caves. Mount Mắt Thần offers a different feature. A large, roughly circular opening passes through its summit, allowing you to see through to the other side. Thang Hen highlights a connection beneath the surface, while Mắt Thần features a visible opening through the mountain. These are two different geological formations side by side.

History and Crafts in Cao Bằng

Rừng Trần Hưng Đạo anchors a precisely dated chapter of Cao Bằng’s history: the Đội Việt Nam Tuyên truyền Giải phóng quân was founded there on December 22, 1944. The site is in Nguyên Bình District. While karst and lakes tell a story through forms and connections, this place’s significance is tied to a specific event and an exact date.

In Quảng Hòa, Cao Bằng, Pác Rằng is a community tourism destination known for the Nùng An people’s traditional blacksmithing, a craft with a history spanning several hundred years. Visitors can watch craftspeople forge farming tools and try forging a knife themselves. Watching and trying are two different ways of engaging with the same inherited skill. If you plan to try forging, confirm local availability before your trip.

In Dia Tren hamlet, another traditional Nùng An craft is practiced: papermaking. The bark of the May-Sla tree is made into votive paper using techniques passed down through generations; this is a living traditional craft. Unlike blacksmithing, the focus here is on processing a plant material into a specific product. The two crafts therefore differ both in the activity and in the result.

Phja Oắc: A Trip in 2021

During a day trip in 2021, the 1,931-meter-high summit of Phja Oắc was climbed in Phja Oắc–Phja Đén National Park, in Nguyên Bình District. If you are considering a climb, check current access conditions before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Hà Quảng, Nguyên Bình District, Nguyên Bình, Cao Bằng City, An Giang, Hà Giang, Hải Dương and Vinh Long.

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