Inside a giant cavern

The cave was opened at the suggestion of Howard Limbert of the British Cave Research Association, who led a group of scientists in surveying the cave back in 2009. The trail tour is set for twice a month with a group of seven or eight visitors. Son Doong Cave, which means Mountain River cave, is in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It’s considered the largest cave in the world, and contains a large fast-flowing underground river inside its walls. – Viet Nam News/ANN

 

Hotels from hell

With a daily budget of just several hundred yuan, tourists in Shanghai have about a 10 per cent chance of staying in a hotel room with subpar hygiene. The recent inspection by Shanghai’s Health Supervision Department reveals 54 of 500 budget hotels have been penalised for poor hygiene. Among them were branches of many well-known chains, such as Hanting Inns and Hotels, 7 Days Inn, Home Inn and GreenTree Inns. Most of the 54 hotels failed to provide heath certificates for their staff. Many of them failed to clean and sterilise the daily necessaries, such as sheets, towels and cups according to hotel rules. – China Daily/ANN

 

Tourist police for Myanmar

An independent tourist police force has been formed and its officers will begin patrolling tourist areas next month, says the Myanmar Tourist Guide Association. About 140 police officers are being trained for two months in protecting and supporting the tourists and will be assigned to tourist sites including Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. The rapid growth of the tourist industry had led to a shortage of hotel rooms and guides and a rise in illegal businesses. – Eleven Media 

 

Amazing Armada

The French city of Rouen holds its Armada event every four or five years, hosting tall ships in the largest event of its kind in the world. The best known sailing ships will be on view in the capital of the Haute Normandie region from June 6 to 16, when visitors will be allowed on board some of them, French tourist officials say. Every evening there are free concerts and fireworks displays. The event culminates in a parade down the Seine towards the Atlantic on June 16. Visit www.Armada.org.

 

Grand Canyon with a guide

Arizona’s tourist office has published a new guide to the south-western US state. The booklet lists the top attractions, along with culinary tours and opportunities for water sports. The guide also includes detailed maps and a diary of events, as well as list of places to stay and national parks. It can be ordered free of charge from www.ArizonaGuide.com/landing/official-arizona-visitors-guide.