Chantilly Eng
12 June 2026
Second visit, one year apart. I had a delightful experience the first time, which is why I brought some friends along for this visit. The tour itself was just as amazing as I remembered, and the guide did an excellent job throughout. For anyone considering visiting, please don't let this review discourage you from experiencing the tour.
However, this review is directed more towards the authorities and visitor management. This visit reminded me how much fellow participants can affect the overall experience, even when the tour itself is flawlessly conducted.
There was one particular family in our group who repeatedly ignored instructions. The husband constantly touched the cave formations despite being told not to. His wife initially tried to stop him, which suggested she understood the rules, but she eventually began touching the formations as well….
The older couple accompanying them were also uncooperative. During the section where all lights are turned off and visitors experience complete darkness, the mother's phone screen lit up. Even after several people asked her to put it away, she continued using it for a while before finally complying. The father was wearing an electronic watch, which remained visible despite multiple requests from other visitors to cover it.
I understand that language barriers may have played a role, but it would have been helpful if their family members had assisted in communicating the instructions. Unfortunately, their behaviour significantly impacted what would otherwise have been an excellent experience.
While I appreciate that guides and management cannot control every visitor's behaviour, there may be opportunities to reduce these issues through clearer communication and reinforcement of the rules.
It may be worth reinforcing the cave rules more prominently before the tour begins, particularly regarding touching formations, phone use, and illuminated devices during the darkness experience. Providing brief multilingual reminders or visual signage could also help ensure that all visitors understand and follow the instructions, regardless of language barriers. Most guests are respectful, but a small number of participants can significantly affect both the conservation of the cave and the experience of others.
My concern is not only for the visitor experience but also for the long-term conservation of the cave. It is a remarkable place, and I hope to return again many years from now and see it preserved for future generations. That is why it is disappointing to witness visitors ignoring rules that are clearly intended to protect such a fragile environment.
Nonetheless, thank you for the great conservation efforts thus far, cheers!
5/5 for the cave
3/5 for the overall experience
Date of visit: 12 June 2026
Time slot: 1:30 PM