Admire the Putaleng rhododendron paradise in full bloom

When it comes to flowers in the Northwest in general and Putaleng in particular, rhododendrons are indispensable. Rhododendrons are woody plants, common at altitudes above 2000m. To adapt to windy mountain slopes, they are no more than 15m tall. But in return, they possess a strong root system to withstand strong winds and a canopy that spreads out like an umbrella to provide plenty of space for photosynthesis.

Among the top 3 highest peaks in Vietnam, just after Fansipan and Pusilung, Putaleng is a trekking destination favored by adventure travel enthusiasts. This peak is 3049m high, located in Ta Leng commune, Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province.

This place possesses both wild and poetic scenery with primeval forests covered with moss. The number of streams on Putaleng is also extremely rich.

The azalea season in Lai Chau lasts from March to April, this year the flowers bloom most beautifully and in the second half of March. In Lai Chau province, there are 6 high mountain peaks with many azaleas of various colors. However, the place known as the "azalea paradise" is Putaleng mountain in Tam Duong district.

The 3,049-meter-high Putaleng Peak in the Hoang Lien Son Range is one of the mountains that attracts adventurous backpackers in Vietnam. On March 9, a company in Lai Chau City and a team of porters from Lai Chau Province surveyed the terrain and organized the installation of a summit for the 2,619-meter-high Do Quyen Peak at Putaleng Mountain. It was named Do Quyen Peak because this area has the most blooming azaleas.

Tourists from Hanoi to climb Putaleng mountain spend about 3 days and 2 nights for the whole journey up and down. From the foot of Putaleng mountain, there are 2 climbing routes to the blooming point. The first climbing route is from Giang Ma commune, located on National Highway 4D Lao Cai - Sa Pa - Lai Chau). The second climbing route is from Si Thau Chai village in Ho Thau commune, Tam Duong district. This is a community tourism village with about 60 Dao households, about 6km from Tam Duong town center.

In contrast to the rough tree trunks, the fragile rhododendron flowers brighten up the entire forest. Occupying the largest area on Putaleng are purple and pink rhododendrons. These two colors are neither too pale nor too flashy, perfectly in harmony with the misty mountainside. The most brilliant are probably the red rhododendrons, although the quantity is smaller but extremely eye-catching. The bright red flowers resemble sparks hanging on the tree branches. Not only that, there are also rhododendrons as white as snow or as yellow as sunlight. All of them are adding vitality to this vast forest.

Putaleng Mountain slopes belong to Ho Thau, Giang Ma, Ta Leng communes with extremely diverse vegetation. On the way up the mountain, visitors can experience many different types of terrain and forests, making each step a new discovery.

On the way to Do Quyen and Putaleng peaks, visitors can see flowers blooming in clusters with a variety of colors from red, pink, white to yellow, orange, purple. The ancient rhododendron trees here are from 2m to 5m high, the canopy is not too wide but the flowers and leaves grow thickly.
The journey to hunt for rhododendron flowers also takes visitors to one of the rare primeval forests in Vietnam, where in addition to the color of flowers, there is also the deep green color of grass and trees. In Putaleng, the stream water is clear, the climate is cool, and nature still retains its pristine, purest appearance.

Photo: Nguyen Trong Cung

Heritage Magazine