Mountain villages in Asia offer majestic landscapes, enchanting vistas and farming techniques that have been passed down for generations. Rice is grown on terraced fields, houses are built to withstand harsh weather, local traditions are maintained and even thrive, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.
With that appeal, SCMP , Hong Kong's oldest daily newspaper, has selected a list of the 6 most beautiful mountain villages in Asia, including a village in Vietnam.
Mae Kampong, Thailand
A breezy village nestled in rolling hills about an hour’s drive east of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, the cool mountain air makes it ideal for growing tea and coffee, specialties that visitors can enjoy in local cafes.
PHOTO: SCMP
Hundar, India
Hundar Village, in Ladakh's Nubra Valley, is nestled between vast wind-sculpted sand dunes and the foothills of the Himalayas. This remote settlement is a blend of Buddhist culture, breathtaking natural beauty and northern Indian hospitality.
PHOTO: SCMP
Ella, Sri Lanka
Nestled in the hilly highlands of Sri Lanka, Ella offers majestic scenery and a relaxing retreat away from the island’s busy tourist trails. Surrounded by plantations and misty mountains, the village is an ideal getaway for travellers seeking tranquility and fresh air.
PHOTO: SCMP
Huangling, China
Located on the slopes of Wuyi Mountain in Jiangxi Province, Huangling Village is ablaze with colour every autumn. The white-walled, black-tiled houses – built in the typical style of ancient Hui merchant families – are topped with bamboo trays filled with red chillies, buttered yellow corn and yellow chrysanthemum petals, creating a vibrant mosaic.
Shirakawa, Japan
Deep in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa is one of Japan's most charming old villages. The thatched farmhouses, known as gassho-zukuri or "praying hands", are designed to cope with the highland conditions, with a 60-degree slope that allows snow to slide off before falling.
Ta Van, Vietnam
Ta Van is an ideal place for those who want to get away from the crowds.
PHOTO: SCMP
Located about 12km from the bustling centre of Sa Pa, Ta Van offers a peaceful retreat for travellers seeking an authentic mountain feel. Set in a lush valley, the picturesque village is home to the Giay and Hmong people, with traditional stilt houses dotting the landscape.
Surrounded by rugged peaks, rice paddies cling to the hillsides, changing colours with the seasons. Peaceful trails wind through rustling bamboo groves and cascading waterfalls. Staying with a local family means enjoying hearty home-cooked meals and genuine hospitality.
Green rice season in Ta Van
PHOTO: TCDL
Unlike the more bustling and commercialized Cat Cat village nearby, Ta Van moves at a slower pace, perfect for those looking to get away from the crowds and immerse themselves in Vietnam’s rich culture and landscapes. To explore further, visitors can rent motorbikes for around US$8 to US$12 a day...
Thanhnien.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngoi-lang-tren-nui-o-viet-nam-vao-top-dep-nhat-chau-a-185250718110332138.htm
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