Chu Dang Ya - Volcanic wonder in the middle of "flower paradise"

Geological masterpiece in the Central Highlands

Located about 30 km northeast of Pleiku city center, Chu Dang Ya volcano in Ia Gri village, Chu Dang Ya commune, Chu Pah district, is one of the attractive destinations of Gia Lai province. What makes Chu Dang Ya a unique destination is its geologically active past.

This is a volcano that has been inactive for millions of years, creating a perfect funnel-shaped crater. According to geologists, Chu Dang Ya, along with Ham Rong and Bien Ho volcanoes, form a volcanic complex typical of the Pleiku plateau, with sedimentary terrain characteristics, originating from strong eruptions in the past.

Chu Dang Ya volcano seen from above

PHOTO: THAO THUONG

The crater is about 700 m wide and nearly 100 m deep, creating a beautiful circular valley. Over time, a layer of fertile basalt soil has formed here - ideal conditions for many types of agricultural crops to grow. The gentle hillsides at this crater are now used by local people to cultivate plants such as arrowroot, coffee, etc.

If the rainy season brings to Chu Dang Ya the cool green of the trees, then the end of the year is the time when this area puts on its most brilliant beauty. The carpets of honey-yellow wild sunflowers sway in the wind under the sunlight carrying a bit of the plateau's chill. That yellow color spreads across the gentle hillsides like a giant carpet, creating a breathtakingly beautiful natural scene.

Interestingly, wild sunflowers are not native to the Central Highlands. More than 100 years ago, during the establishment of plantations, the French introduced this plant from Europe to use as a fence for the plantations, as a source of green manure, etc. With its strong adaptability, wild sunflowers have grown very well in the highland climate, becoming an indispensable part of the landscape here.

Not only wild sunflowers, the year-end scenery in Chu Dang Ya is also adorned with the pure white color of the daisy flowers, the dreamy purple color of the foxtail grass, and the bright red color of ripe coffee berries. All blend together in the cool weather of the plateau, creating a unique natural picture that is rarely found anywhere else.

Wild Sunflower Week - Festival of Nature and Culture

Realizing the great tourism potential of this area, Gia Lai province has organized the Chu Dang Ya Volcano Wild Sunflower Week for many years. In 2024, the event will take place from November 6 to 12 in Ia Gri village, Chu Dang Ya commune and Bien Ho commune.

During the wild sunflower festival season - Chu Dang Ya volcano

The highlight of the week is not only the beautiful natural scenery, but also the unique cultural activities, expressing the identity of the ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. Visitors can enjoy special gong performances - an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. The art of sculpture, brocade weaving, and making traditional musical instruments are also introduced, creating opportunities for visitors to understand more deeply about the culture of the Central Highlands.

In particular, the new rice celebration ceremony of the Jrai people - one of the most important ceremonies of the ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands - was also restored. Activities such as pounding rice with a double pestle and folk games brought a joyful atmosphere, imbued with the local cultural identity.

Another highlight that cannot be missed during these events is the program to conquer the Chu Dang Ya volcano peak. This is not only a sporting activity, but also an opportunity for visitors to admire the panoramic view of the plateau from an altitude of nearly 1,000 m above sea level.

With its unique natural beauty and special cultural values, Chu Dang Ya is becoming an attractive destination, attracting tens of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists every year. The local government has been making efforts to implement a community tourism model, in which local people are encouraged to participate in tourism activities, thereby raising awareness of environmental protection and traditional culture.

Chu Dang Ya is not only a tourist destination, but also a geological wonder, a living "museum" of nature and culture in the middle of the Central Highlands. With reasonable management and sustainable development, this place promises to continue to be an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists for many years to come, while preserving its unique values ​​for future generations.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich, Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, emphasized: "Gia Lai has many beautiful landscapes, especially Chu Dang Ya volcano, attracting many domestic and foreign visitors to enjoy the wild sunflower blooming season. For many years, Gia Lai has organized the Wild Sunflower Festival - Chu Dang Ya volcano and this is also a major cultural event of Gia Lai. We have taken many measures to manage and preserve to introduce this as an ideal destination for tourists to this plateau, to Gia Lai". ( continued )

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chu-dang-ya-ky-quan-nui-lua-giua-thien-duong-hoa-185250506222248505.htm