1. Chu Dang Ya Crater – A charming geological landmark amidst the plateau.
Discover the Chu Dang Ya volcanic crater and its spectacular autumn beauty. (Photo: Collected)
Chu Dang Ya is not simply a mountain. It is a dormant volcano crater, located in Chu Dang Ya commune, Chu Pah district, Gia Lai province, about 30km from the center of Pleiku city . When autumn arrives, the landscape here seems to "awaken" with streaks of clouds hanging across the mountain slopes and a carpet of golden wild sunflowers covering the pathways.
The name Chu Dang Ya, in the Jrai language, means "wild ginger root," a rustic yet powerful image, much like the place itself – simple, pristine, and full of life. Even more special is the mountain's enormous funnel-shaped peak, nearly 700 meters wide and almost 100 meters deep, creating a vast basin where clouds can "sleep" each autumn morning.
2. Autumn – The ideal time to go cloud hunting at Chu Dang Ya
Sea of clouds swirls around the crater of Chu Dang Ya volcano on a chilly autumn morning. (Photo: Collected)
The mountaintop isn't always covered in a sea of clouds. Only when autumn arrives, with its cool, humid weather and fresh air, do the conditions allow clouds to gather in the crater. Days with night fog or light rain are the "key" to capturing the moment when fluffy clouds drift lazily over the crater.
Typically, clouds are densest between 5:00 and 6:30 AM. As the sun rises higher, sunlight pierces through the layers of clouds, reflecting off the blooming wildflowers, creating a scene that is both poetic and powerful. Each ray of light adds vibrancy to the vast landscape.
3. The journey and trekking route for cloud hunting on Chu Dang Ya peak in autumn.
The road to the summit of Chu Dang Ya is ablaze with the vibrant colors of wild sunflowers in autumn. (Photo: Collected)
From the center of Pleiku city, it only takes about 40-45 minutes by motorbike or car to reach the foot of Chu Dang Ya mountain. The road leading to the wild sunflower season is not very wide, but both sides are lined with vast fields of bright yellow flowers blooming brilliantly in the gentle early morning sunlight.
The journey to conquer the mountain peak isn't too strenuous. From the foot of the mountain, a light trek of about 15-20 minutes is enough to reach the summit and gaze out at the sea of clouds drifting through the vast forest. With its gentle and easily accessible terrain, this is an ideal cloud-watching spot for even young people just starting their trekking adventures.
4. Admire the vibrant yellow wild sunflowers – A must-see highlight at Chu Dang Ya in autumn.
Clouds, flowers, and basalt soil create a unique autumn landscape at Chu Dang Ya. (Photo: Collected)
Autumn at Chu Dang Ya peak is not just about clouds. It's also the season of wild sunflowers, a wild yet vibrant flower that blooms brilliantly yellow across the mountain slopes like an endless carpet. When the early morning sunlight shines through each petal, the scene becomes sparkling and romantic, like something out of a nomadic film.
The combination of the fluffy white of the clouds, the warm yellow of the wildflowers, and the distinctive reddish-brown of the basalt soil creates a surprisingly harmonious whole. Every angle can produce beautiful photos that require minimal editing; all that's needed is to capture the right moment and convey emotion in the frame.
5. Experience the indigenous Jrai culture near the summit of Chu Dang Ya in autumn.
Capture the moment of cloud hunting at Chu Dang Ya peak while experiencing the unique local culture. (Photo: Collected)
After chasing the clouds, stopping at a Jrai village right at the foot of the mountain is an experience not to be missed. The communal houses, the glowing hearths in the early morning, the friendly greetings of the locals—all contribute to making the journey complete.
You can enjoy sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, chicken grilled with lime leaves, drink rice wine, and listen to age-old stories about the sacred mountain of the Jrai people. It's not just a physical trip, but also a journey that touches the depths of culture and soul.
6. Suggested itinerary for cloud hunting at Chu Dang Ya peak in autumn.
A tranquil and memorable moment at the summit of Chu Dang Ya mountain in autumn. (Photo: Collected)
To fully experience Chu Dang Ya peak in autumn, you can refer to the following itinerary:
Day 1:
- Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City/ Hanoi to Pleiku.
- Visit Lake T'Nung and enjoy the local mountain cuisine.
- Spend the night at a homestay near Chu Dang Ya.
Day 2:
- 4:30 AM: Depart for cloud hunting.
- 5:00–6:30 AM: Check in at the mountaintop, take photos with the clouds and wild sunflowers.
- 8:00 AM: Experience a Jrai-style breakfast at the foothill village.
- Afternoon: Visit Phu Cuong Waterfall or Dong Xanh Tourist Area.
- Evening: Dinner + coffee in Pleiku.
Day 3:
- Buy local specialties: sun-dried beef, coffee, and Chu Se pepper.
- Return to the city.
Cloud hunting at Chu Dang Ya peak in autumn is not just a trip for taking photos or "checking in". It's a journey to listen to nature, immerse yourself in the rhythm of mountain life, and feel the gentleness of autumn in a way unique to the Central Highlands.
If you're ready to venture off the beaten path, let the autumnal beauty of Chu Dang Ya Peak guide you on a journey filled with inspiring clouds and a Central Highlands that is not only beautiful but also enchanting.
Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/san-may-dinh-chu-dang-ya-mua-thu-v17906.aspx
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