Ta Xua, located at an altitude of over 2,800m above sea level, is one of the highest peaks in Vietnam, located in Bac Yen district (Son La), bordering Tram Tau district ( Yen Bai ). Ta Xua is 240km from Hanoi, has a cool climate all year round, and is famous as a beautiful cloud hunting spot from October to April.
The terrain of Ta Xua is narrow, steep roads, with deep abysses on both sides. In addition to traveling by motorbike or car, you can trek to the top of Ta Xua, with routes of different lengths from both Yen Bai or Son La .
Move
You can use many means of transport to get to Ta Xua such as motorbike, private car, passenger car, tourist car. From Hanoi, go towards Son Tay, Trung Ha bridge, to Thu Cuc intersection following QL32, turn right to Phu Yen, Bac Yen following QL37. The main road to the center of Ta Xua has been paved with concrete, so traveling is much easier than before. 16-seat cars can go to the top. Limousines of companies such as Khanh Thinh, Quang Nghia, Nguyen Hang to Ta Xua cost 700,000 VND per person (round trip). The car usually departs from Hanoi at 10pm and arrives in Ta Xua after 5 hours, with stops on the way. In Ta Xua, you can rent a motorbike to visit the places for convenience. But if you are not a confident driver, hire a local motorbike taxi because the road is quite steep, narrow and has many curves.
Accommodation
Ta Xua is a newly developed tourism area, there are no large hotels, nor comfortable accommodation. In the area, there are about 20 homestays and motels, prices range from 200,000 VND to 1 million VND per night.
Ta Xua sunset seen from a homestay. Photo: Nguyen Thanh Luan
Accommodation areas are mainly concentrated in the central or neighboring areas, with communal houses (stilt houses) and some private rooms. Some homestay addresses for reference: Xa homestay, Nam To homestay, Mua Tru homestay, Bao Chau homestay, Long Anh 1 homestay. Guesthouses include Phu Hoa, Tra May Ta Xua, Thu Bien, Hai Hang, Nguyen San. Lu Tre homestay is located at the highest position among the accommodations in Ta Xua, about 7 km from the central area. Some high-chassis cars and motorbikes can reach the door. Other vehicles park under the gate, guests have to climb a slope of about 300m or use a motorbike shuttle service. There are bungalows (one or two floors), detached houses, and stilt houses. Ta Xua is an ideal place for camping. If you choose a suitable location, you will have the opportunity to watch the sunrise or romantic sunset from the top of the mountain.
Camping in Ta Xua. Photo: Hoang Cong
Where to play
Dinosaur's spine The area known to many as "dinosaur's spine" is about 15 km from the center of Ta Xua, about 5 km from the center of Hang Dong commune, Bac Yen district. "Dinosaur's spine" leans against the Ta Xua mountain range, in front of which is a valley hundreds of meters deep. The Ta Xua dinosaur's spine has a 1.5 km trail that is considered by backpackers to be one of the most beautiful places to see clouds in the North. Many days, the clouds are thick from early morning until 10 am and still have not cleared. When the sky is less cloudy, from the dinosaur's spine, you can immerse yourself in the space of the forest, terraced fields and Mong people's houses on the mountainside.
Dinosaur spine of Ta Xua. Photo: Le Huynh
Dolphin Point Dolphin Point is made up of two large rocks shaped like dolphins swimming in the sea of clouds. The rock is covered with moss, creating a wild beauty, harmoniously combined with the natural landscape. From Bac Yen town, going up to Ta Xua commune, you will encounter a three-way intersection with signs: one direction is the "back of the cloud paradise" 8 km, the other direction is Ta Xua tea hill. Turn right towards the tea hill to reach Dolphin Point and the lonely tree. Those who stay at Lu Tre homestay will reach Dolphin Point more conveniently than going towards the hydroelectric dam.
Turtle Head Cliff The cliff shaped like a turtle's head is located at an altitude of 2,100 m, on the way to the top of Ta Xua. From the lonely tree to the turtle head cliff is about 1 km, you will have to overcome the road of high slopes with sharp rocks. Camel cliff From the center of Ta Xua commune, follow the direction of the commune People's Committee about 7 km, you will reach the camel cliff. This is a new check-in point in Ta Xua. Camel cliff is opposite the dinosaur's spine, most beautiful in the morning, so arrange your schedule for the most convenient travel. Lonely tree
Lonely hawthorn tree in Ta Xua. Photo: Chu Hang
The lonely apple tree is located on a small hill at the top of Gio at the intersection of Xim Vang - Hang Dong, more than 1km from the center of Ta Xua. Standing from the tree's position, you can see Suoi Sap River. On days with nice weather, the river water is clear and blue. The lonely apple tree is considered by backpackers to be the "living soul" in the wild land of Ta Xua, a symbol of perseverance and resilience in the midst of harsh nature. This is one of the places that backpackers consider to be "the most beautiful place to watch the sunset in Ta Xua". If you are lucky, you can also see the sunset on the sea of clouds. The golden time to watch this scene is around 5:30 p.m. Primeval forest
Ta Xua primeval forest is located on the southeastern slope of Hoang Lien Son mountain range, stretching from an altitude of 2,600m to the top. The forest has a wild, mysterious beauty, with altitudes constantly changing along the Phu Sa Phin mountain range. There are many rare species of flora and fauna, especially the moss forest, which is considered the "kingdom of moss". The small paths in the forest combined with the sunlight will take you to a land like in a fairy tale. Ancient tea hill Ta Xua ancient Shan Tuyet tea is one of the most famous teas in Vietnam. Ta Xua Shan Tuyet tea hill is covered with clouds and snow all year round at an altitude of more than 1,500m above sea level, so it is humid and cold. The ancient tea trees over a hundred years old are rarely exposed to sunlight, have high medicinal properties and a special flavor. Ta Xua tea leaves have a layer of snow-white fur. When brewed, the tea has a clear and rich yellow color. The initial taste of the tea is smooth and astringent, the aftertaste is sweet and aromatic. Ta Xua Grassland
Ta Xua grassland. Photo: Hoang Cong
Ta Xua grassland is located on the same route to Dolphin Point and Lonely Tree, about 10km from the commune center. The road is wide and has few winding curves. Near Dolphin Point, you will see a sign to Ta Xua grassland. This is a place with a large natural landscape, not only a place to admire the natural beauty but also an ideal place for fun, sports and camping activities. The cloud-watching cafes Mi Oi, Hien Coffee, Thao Coffee, H'mong Coffee, Ban Coffee are prominent cafes in Ta Xua with beautiful views, easy to hunt for clouds, and are ideal places to take virtual photos. When there are no clouds, these are still beautiful places to sip a cup of hot tea, admire the majestic natural landscape, watch the sunset gradually fall or simply sit and relax. Drink prices range from 30,000 to 60,000 VND.
What to eat
Mac Nhung porridge is a specialty for tourists to Son La. After each harvest, the mac nhung fruits grown in the fields begin to ripen. People pick them, wash them, and then process them into many dishes, the most famous of which is mac nhung porridge. The dish has a bitter taste mixed with sweetness and spiciness, suitable for the cold weather in the Ta Xua highlands. In addition to mac nhung porridge, visitors can order a hot pot of black chicken, salmon, sturgeon or popular dishes in the northern mountainous region such as dried buffalo meat, nam pia, bamboo rice, sour meat salad, and five-color sticky rice.
Note
You can’t always hunt clouds because of the weather. Check the forecast and choose a day with low temperatures at night and high temperatures during the day, with sunshine during the day. Determine the direction of the sunrise at your cloud hunting location to get the best angles.
You should not travel to Ta Xua at night, and you should not go in a large group. Ask and bargain when going by motorbike taxi.
The cost per person for two days and one night is about 1.5 to 2 million VND. During the Tet holiday, you should book early because this place is often fully booked. Ta Xua can only serve 700-800 tourists at a time.
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