Attractions of Halong Bay #1 Soi Sim Island

inseasia (61)in #travel • 6 years ago (edited)

Following on from my Guides to the Attractions of Saigon and Hanoi, today I start looking at the attractions of Halong Bay. These are not in any order at all just random dips into this fabulous water-based destination.

#1 Soi Sim Island

Soi Sim Island is one of the few soil based islands in Halong Bay. This wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site was formed over 500 million years of evolution. Of the 1960 islands the are dotted around its 600 square mile area, the vast majority are limestone karsts that rise up out of the water and tower above the hundreds of cruise boats that ply their trade here.

The distinctive twin hill shape of Soi Sim Island
Soi Sim Island is in the Southwest of Halong Bay and is about 7 miles from the Tourist Wharf. It covers an area of approximately 22 acres, with a hill at either end. There are two beaches here, if you are lucky enough to get one of the Halong Bay cruises that stops off here, these are two beaches that can be enjoyed. The island used to be partially covered by sim trees, hence the name. There are still plenty of trees here and other lush greenery. This offers cover to a variety of bird life including Black Kites, Egrets and Herons.

The island sits just about a quarter of a mile from another famous island here, Ti Top Island. There are some resorts here and the island is being developed. The small group of islands of which it is a part also contains the Sung Sot Cave, so there is plenty to see and do in the part of the bay. There is a population of wild monkeys on the island, these should not be approached.

!steemitworldmap 20.850177 lat 107.073872 long Soi Sim Island D3SCR