Cập nhật: 01-01-1970 12:00:00 | Blogs about Vietnam | Lượt xem: 1068
If you have seen some of these breathtaking images of rice terraces in Vietnam, chances are they were snapped in or near Mu Cang Chai. Truth be told, it’s quite hard to spot other paddies on such a scale anywhere else in this country. Blessed with spectacular landscapes and amazing greenery, Mu Cang Chai is one of the best-kept hidden gems here. It will be an ideal destination for your next Vietnam trekking tour.
Overview
Mu Cang Chai in Vietnam is a rural district in Yen Bai Province, about 300 km Northwest of Hanoi. Situated at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son Range at an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level, Mu Cang Chai Vietnam boasts spectacular scenery with tortuous passes on one side and boundless terraced paddies on the other. It hosts some of the most splendid cultivated topographies in Asia region.
Apart from its breathtaking landscapes, this land also features lovely ethnic villages with rustic houses dotted around the stepped rice fields. They mostly belong to the Black H’mong, a subgroup of one of Vietnam’s largest ethnicities. Due to its remote location, Mu Cang Chai receives relatively few tourists and retains its traditional lifestyle.
Mu Cang Chai is gorgeous year-round and can be visited at any time, but it’s best to explore this destination during its planting and harvest seasons. In the planting season (late May to early June), villagers direct rainwater from the top of the mountains into their fields to soften the soil, turning the rice terraces into giant mirrors that captivatingly reflect the sky. Meanwhile, the harvest season (mid-September to mid-October) is perfect for photography as the paddies are all tinted with gold, creating a mesmerizingly enchanting vista.
Another period that’s worth experiencing is the time between these mentioned two, which is July to August. This is when the summer heat reduces and Mu Cang Chai is rendered with a variety of different shades, from bottle green to wattle yellow. It’s surely an astonishing scene to cherish.
Travelers can take a bus at My Dinh Station in Hanoi, a 9-hour journey, or get a private transfer from Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai within 6 hours. Book our Mu Cang Chai Tour from Hanoi, you will enjoy the shortest and most direct route. Adventurers also can embark on a motor tour venturing the North-West regions of Vietnam including Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Ha Giang, and so on.
There are mostly budget hotels and cheap homestays in Mu Cang Chai, with local stilt houses being the most popular among them. Most of them feature very nice views at really affordable prices. You can easily find such houses in La Pan Tan, Tu Le or Ban Thai… They provide a few different options, from double rooms with a private bath to dorm rooms that can host 10 – 30 guests.
2 and 3-star hotels are mainly concentrated in the town of Mu Cang Chai. They are mostly equipped with only basic utilities like a double bed, bathroom, TV, and fridge. Mu Cang Chai Eco Lodge in Hua Khat Village and Le Champ Resort in Tu Le Village are the only higher-end facilities here.
Ranked among the top 4 greatest passes in Northern Vietnam, Khau Pha is an extremely winding and steep mountain path that stretches over 30 km in length. Its name means “Heaven Horn” in the Thai ethnic group’s language, so sometimes it’s also called the Heaven Gate by locals. Since the pass drapes over Khau Pha Mount – the highest peak in Mu Cang Chai, it offers magnificent views of the lush green forests and the vast terraced fields on the slopes around.
Only a few km from Khau Pha Pass is Tu Le, an idyllic valley surrounded by three imposing mountains: Khau Song, Khau Than and Khau Pha. Apart from the graceful beauty of the terraced rice fields, Tu Le is also famous for its “com” – the naturally sweet and chewy green rice flakes that are much loved in Northern Vietnam. It’s recommended to spend at least one night here. While visiting Tu Le, you can also experience bathing in hot mineral springs or taking part in other outdoor activities like hiking, zip lining, or high roping…
Located right next to Tu Le are Lim Mong and Lim Thai, two lovely villages where the H’mong and the Thai reside. They are both perfect for a short cycle trip along the crystal clear streams and between the green fields, or simply immersing in nature and taking in the serene atmosphere. In Lim Mong and Lim Thai, you can also meet up with the friendly villagers, delve into local life and experience the traditional herbal bath of the Thai.
If you go to Mu Cang Chai for terraced fields, you’ll fall in love with La Pan Tan. Situated about 13 km from the center of Mu Cang Chai, this village boasts jaw-dropping rice terraces and is one of the most picturesque landscapes in Northern Vietnam. In 2007, it was recognized as a national heritage site alongside Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh. Notably, in La Pan Tan, you’ll also find the renowned Mam Xoi Hill (Sticky Rice Tray Hill) – a unique hill made completely from rice paddies with an eye-catching round “tray” on its top.
About 25 km Northeast of Mu Cang Chai is Che Cu Nha, a remote village that hosts some of the highest and most beautiful terraced fields in the whole region. Its special location allows you to enjoy awe-inspiring panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, which are mainly covered in rice paddies. The way to Che Cu Nha is quite steep and not easy to find, but the view is definitely worth your effort.
Located only 2 km from Mu Cang Chai, Mong Ngua Hill (Horseshoe Hill) in Sang Nhu Village is a funny-looking viewpoint whose shape is just like a horseshoe. From a higher spot, you’ll be impressed by the neatly layered curvy paddies of the hill.
Another widely-favored destination close to Mu Cang Chai is Mo Waterfall (Dream Waterfall), which lies between two mountain ranges Na Hang A and Na Hang B, both belonging to Mo De Commune. True to its name, Mo Waterfall is a dreamy fall that stretches about 3 km and stands out with a silky appearance. To reach the first base that flows in an impressive spiral shape, you’ll have to walk about 30 minutes from the main road. From here, you’ll be able to spot its main body, which is fascinatingly divided into 4 separate cascades.
Na Hang Tua Chu is a bamboo forest located in Pung Luong commune, about 20km from the center of Mu Cang Chai. It covers an area of about 1 ha and is now 65 years of age, but has only been open for visitors since a few years ago. If it’s superb hiking in complete solitude you’re seeking, this place is the right one for you. As you traverse deep into the forest, you’ll feel like getting lost in another world of peace and relaxation.
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