Nestled at an altitude of over 2,800 above sea stage, Ta Xua stands as one of many highest mountain peaks in Vietnam. It’s situated in Bac Yen District, Son La Province, and borders Tram Tau District in Yen Bai Province, and is about 240 kilometers from Hanoi.
Ta Xua has a cool local weather all 12 months spherical, and is called a fascinating cloud searching vacation spot from October to April.
Ta Xua is understood for its steep and winding roads close to harmful cliffs. Vacationers can get to Ta Xua by bike or automotive, and even trek to the summit when you’re feeling adventurous. There are completely different trekking routes from Yen Bai and Son La.
WHERE TO VISIT
Dinosaur Spine
The famend “Dinosaur Spine” space is roughly 15 kilometers from the center of Ta Xua and about 5 kilometers from Dangle Dong Commune in Bac Yen District. It leans in opposition to the Ta Xua mountain vary, overlooking a valley that plunges lots of of meters deep.
The realm includes a 1.5-kilometer path, regarded by backpackers as one of the crucial lovely locations within the north to witness cloud formations. Typically, thick clouds linger from early morning till 10 a.m.
On clearer days, from this space, guests can immerse oneself within the environment of lush forests, terraced fields, and H’mong homes dotting the mountainside.
Due to its pure surroundings, “Dinosaur Spine” is a well-liked spot for a lot of vacationers. Photograph by VnExpress/Le Huynh
Dolphin Cliff
The Dolphin Cliff is characterised by two giant rocks resembling dolphins swimming in a sea of clouds. The cliffs are adorned with patches of moss, including to their wild and pure magnificence, mixing with the encircling panorama.
To succeed in the Dolphin Cliff, ranging from Bac Yen City, observe the street resulting in Ta Xua Commune. Alongside the best way, guests will encounter a fork with street indicators: one route to the “cloud paradise again” (8 kilometers), and the opposite results in Ta Xua Tea Hill.
Select the latter, and guests will arrive on the Dolphin Cliff. Guests staying at Lu Tre Homestay will discover it handy to achieve the Dolphin Cliff when heading in the direction of the hydroelectric dam.
Turtle Cliff
A rock outcrop formed like a turtle’s head sits at an elevation of two,100 meters alongside the trail to Ta Xua’s peak. To entry the Turtle’s Beak, you may have to traverse roughly one kilometer of excessive slopes with sharp rocks.
Turtle Cliff, that includes a rounded head rock, invitations vacationers to snap memorable images. Photograph courtesy of Yen Bai Tourism Portal
Camel’s Ridge
From the middle of Ta Xua Commune, journey about 7 kilometers within the route of the Commune Folks’s Committee to achieve the Camel Ridge.
This attraction in Ta Xua affords splendid morning views, making it an excellent addition to your journey itinerary.
Lonely Tree
Standing subsequent to the Lonely Tree, one can witness the fantastic thing about the Sap River. Photograph by VnExpress/Chu Dangle
The lonely docynia indica tree graces a small hill at Gio Peak, situated on the intersection of Xim Vang and Dangle Dong, simply over 1 kilometer from the center of Ta Xua. Standing by the tree, vacationers can gaze upon the Suoi Sap River. On clear days, the river displays a transparent and azure hue.
The Lonely Tree is revered by backpackers as an emblem of resilience amidst Ta Xua’s rugged terrain and is commonly cited as probably the greatest spots to witness the fascinating sundown, particularly within the early evenings.
Primeval forest
The Ta Xua primeval forest occupies the southeastern slopes of the Hoang Lien Son mountain vary, extending from an altitude of two,600 meters to the summit. This forest exudes a fascinating, mystical allure, with its continuously altering altitude alongside the Phu Sa Phin vary.
Throughout the forest, guests can encounter numerous uncommon species of wildlife, such because the moss forest. Meandering forest paths mixed with dappled daylight create a fairy tale-like ambiance.
Historic tea hill
Ta Xua’s historic Shan Tuyet tea is widely known as one in every of Vietnam’s most distinguished teas. The Shan Tuyet Ta Xua Tea Hill, located at an altitude of over 1,500 meters above sea stage, stays shrouded in clouds all year long, leading to a damp and chilly local weather.
These historic tea timber, aged over a century, obtain minimal daylight, endowing them with distinctive medicinal properties and a novel taste. Ta Xua tea leaves possess a snowy-white fur-like layer, whereas the brewed tea reveals a transparent and viscous yellow hue. Its preliminary style is clean and astringent, with a candy and aromatic aftertaste.
Ta Xua Steppe
From Ta Xua Steppe, guests will likely be handled to sweeping vistas of terraced fields and expansive mountainous terrain. Photograph by VnExpress/Hoang Cong
The Ta Xua Steppe, situated alongside the identical path to the Dolphin Cape and the Lonely Tree, lies about 10 kilometers from the commune middle. The street is broad with light curves, and close to the Dolphin Cliff, guests will encounter indicators guiding you to the Ta Xua Steppe. This expansive pure panorama not solely affords breathtaking views but additionally serves as an excellent setting for leisure actions, sports activities, and tenting adventures.
Cloud-watching cafes
Ta Xua boasts a number of cafes with names like Mi Oi, Hien Espresso, Thao Espresso, H’mong Espresso, and Ban Espresso. These cafes provide beautiful views, making them excellent for cloud-watching and best spots for pictures fanatics.
The cafe outlets in Ta Xua present the proper spot for vacationers searching for a romantic escape, to calm down and unwind. Photograph by VnExpress
Even throughout cloudless durations, they supply a serene place to get pleasure from a cup of scorching tea whereas marveling on the majestic pure environment, witnessing the gradual descent of the sundown, or just unwinding. Costs for drinks vary from VND30,000 (US$1.20) to VND60,000.
WHAT TO EAT
On the subject of culinary delights in Son La, the must-try specialty is mac nhung (solanum dulcamara) porridge. Because the fruits within the fields ripen after every harvest, they’re picked, washed, and remodeled into numerous dishes, with probably the most famend being porridge.
This dish boasts a novel mix of bitter, candy, and spicy flavors, completely suited to the chilly climate within the Ta Xua highlands.
Along with mac nhung porridge, guests have an array of choices to select from. They’ll savor a hearty pot of black rooster hotpot, bask in salmon or sturgeon, or relish common northern mountain dishes similar to buffalo meat, nam pia (inner organs with excrement soup), bamboo-tube rice, bitter meat salad, and five-colored sticky rice.
HOW TO GET THERE
Vacationers can entry Ta Xua utilizing a variety of transportation modes, together with motorbikes, private automobiles, and passenger buses. Ranging from Hanoi, the route takes you thru Son Tay City, over Trung Ha Bridge, alongside Freeway 32, and rightward in the direction of Phu Yen and Bac Yen Districts alongside Freeway 37.
The primary street resulting in the center of Ta Xua has been paved with concrete, making it way more accessible than prior to now. Even 16-seat automobiles could make their method to the summit.
Vacationers can go for passenger automobiles provided by bus firms similar to Khanh Thinh, Quang Nghia, and Nguyen Dangle, at a price of VND700,000 per individual for a spherical journey. These automobiles normally depart from Hanoi round 10 p.m. and arrive in Ta Xua after roughly 5 hours, with temporary stops alongside the best way.
As soon as vacationers arrive in Ta Xua, they’ve the choice to lease a bike for comfort. Nevertheless, if they don’t seem to be assured of their driving abilities, it is advisable to contemplate hiring a neighborhood bike taxi driver, because the roads within the area are fairly steep, slender, and stuffed with twists and turns.
WHERE TO STAY
Whereas Ta Xua is a burgeoning vacationer vacation spot, it lacks giant accommodations or upscale lodging choices. Nonetheless, roughly 20 homestays and motels dot the world, catering to a variety of budgets from VND200,000 ($8) to VND1 million ($42) per night time.
Guests can benefit from the sundown mixing with the clouds by staying at a homestay located on the peak. Photograph by Nguyen Thanh Luan
Lodging are primarily concentrated within the central and adjoining areas, that includes community-style homes (stilt homes) and a few non-public rooms. They embody Xa Homestay, Nam To Homestay, Mua Tru Homestay, Bao Chau Homestay, and Lengthy Anh 1 Homestay.
Moreover, guesthouses like Phu Hoa, Tra Might Ta Xua, Thu Bien, Hai Dangle, and Nguyen San present different decisions.
For these searching for a novel expertise, Homestay Lu Tre stands out because the highest-altitude lodging institution in Ta Xua, located roughly 7 kilometers from the central space. Some high-clearance automobiles and motorbikes can attain the doorstep, whereas others can park on the gate, with visitors overlaying the remaining 300-meter distance on foot or utilizing a bike shuttle service. Lodging choices embody bungalows, homes, and stilt homes.
Ta Xua additionally beckons tenting fanatics. By choosing the fitting spot, guests can relish the chance to witness the dawn or sundown from the mountaintop.
Whereas cloud searching is a spotlight of Ta Xua, it is important to contemplate the climate. Checking the forecast is advisable, and it is best to pick out a day with low nighttime temperatures, nice daytime heat, and ample sunshine. Familiarize your self with the route of the dawn within the cloud searching space to seize the very best angles in your images.
Keep away from arriving in Ta Xua in the course of the night, and check out to not journey in giant teams. When touring by bike taxi, it is a good apply to inquire in regards to the fare and interact in a little bit of bargaining.
The estimated value per individual for a two-day, one-night keep ranges from VND1.5 million to VND2 million ($62-82). Throughout holidays and peak seasons, it is advisable to e book lodging prematurely, as Ta Xua tends to replenish rapidly.
The realm can accommodate a restricted variety of vacationers concurrently, sometimes round 700-800, so planning forward ensures you safe your spot at this vacation spot.
Story by Tam Anh
