Each of the four seasons of the year has its own unique characteristics and beauty, evoking different emotions. Among them, perhaps spring, the beginning of the year and the season of blooming flowers, brings the most joyful and exciting feelings. Every spring, after the vibrant festivals, Ms. Dinh Phuong from Lao Cai ward dedicates her time to conquering high mountain peaks to admire the beauty of the mountains and forests. In particular, on these high peaks, perpetually shrouded in clouds, there is a particularly captivating flower that blooms only in March and April, inspiring her and other mountain climbing enthusiasts to conquer the treacherous trails to fulfill their dream of seeing the flower bloom amidst the mist and clouds.
In March of this year, Ms. Dinh Phuong and 25 members of the Lao Cai Mountaineering Club were the first climbing group to successfully conquer the summit of Pu Ta Leng (3,049 m), starting from Po Ho village, Muong Hum commune. Over the 2-day, 1-night journey, the climbing group covered a total distance of approximately 22 km through the mountains and forests. According to Ms. Phuong, the highlight of the route is the relatively pristine forest ecosystem, with towering bamboo forests growing densely, their trunks intertwining to form cool, green "tunnels." Between the steep sections are wide, open mountain ridges, offering panoramic views of the Ngu Chi Son, Fansipan, Cu Nhu San, Nhiu Co San, and Ky Quan San mountain ranges. This unique topographical structure with its open ridges gives the Pu Ta Leng trekking route towards Muong Hum its distinctive character.
When Phương first conquered Pu Ta Leng peak from the direction of Muong Hum commune, the most impressive thing was seeing the ancient rhododendron forest covered in moss, its gnarled branches stained with the colors of time, and the rhododendron blossoms beginning to bloom. In recent years, she has conquered the 9 highest peaks of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Each trekking route offered a different feeling about the rhododendron blooming season. In some places, the flowers appear sporadically along the forest edge, such as on the way to the peaks of Nhiu Co San, Lao Than, and Cu Nhu San, creating vibrant highlights against the green backdrop of the old forest.
“For high peaks like Pu Ta Leng or Ky Quan San, at altitudes of 2,500-2,800 meters, rhododendrons appear in clusters, even forming forests of flowers, creating a very impressive scene. After a journey climbing steep slopes and trekking through the forest in the cold of the high mountains, encountering the vibrant rhododendron blossoms amidst the clouds and mountains brings a very special feeling. Rhododendron flowers in the old-growth forest have a unique beauty, shy and delicate, yet full of vitality and intensity amidst the harsh climate of the high mountains. Therefore, for many trekkers, seeing rhododendrons blooming on the mountaintop is always a well-deserved reward after the conquest,” Ms. Phuong shared.
Not only for Ms. Phuong, but for those with a passion for mountain climbing and conquering high peaks, the rhododendron season in Northwest Vietnam always holds a special appeal. The rhododendron season usually begins in late February, and from the end of March onwards, rhododendrons bloom profusely, showcasing their beauty across the high mountain peaks. In Lao Cai province, rhododendrons grow on many mountain peaks, among which Fansipan peak, in Hoang Lien National Park, is known as the "Rhododendron Paradise," with more than 30 species of rhododendrons blooming year-round.
In March, along the trail to the summit of Fansipan, from an altitude of 1,800 meters and above, pink and purple rhododendrons bloom in vibrant clusters on ancient, moss-covered trees. The fallen petals create a purple and pink carpet in the bamboo forest. Beyond the purple rhododendrons, in the deep valley below, are clusters of white and yellow rhododendrons. It's hard to imagine that from these centuries-old, moss-covered trunks, such pure white blossoms can burst forth. In the deep valley, shrouded in year-round fog, the rhododendrons still bravely reach for the light and bloom brilliantly, captivating the hearts of visitors.
The most captivating and enchanting of all is the red rhododendron, which grows at altitudes of 2,300 meters and above. This flower grows on the mist-shrouded slopes near the summit of Fansipan, where strong winds blow year-round, a place where only dwarf bamboo can survive. To withstand storms, the red rhododendron uses its steel-like roots to cling tightly to the mountain rocks; its trunk is not straight but gracefully bends into a graceful shape, its canopy spreading out beautifully. Strangely, the harsher the climate, the more beautiful the red rhododendron blooms, as if defying wind and rain, competing with frost and snow.
Unlike other flowers, rhododendrons take about a month from bud to bloom, and once in bloom, they display their beauty for almost a month before fading. It's difficult to describe the feeling of gazing at the rhododendron trees on Fansipan Mountain during their blooming season, looking like giant crimson mushrooms ablaze amidst the pristine mountain forest. Not only photographers, but anyone who "stumbles" into the land of this flower is mesmerized, amazed by its wild yet captivating beauty.
Currently, among the more than 30 species of rhododendrons growing naturally in Hoang Lien National Park, two species have been recognized as Vietnamese heritage trees: the rough-branched rhododendron and the columnar rhododendron. Previously, to see rhododendrons on the summit of Fansipan, tourists had to climb the mountain on foot. Since the cable car to the summit of Fansipan was built, tourists can take the cable car to the mountaintop to see the panoramic view from above. But to fully appreciate the beauty of the rhododendrons, the most exciting journey is conquering the "Roof of Indochina" via the trail. Although arduous, the reward is a truly wonderful experience exploring the kingdom of this "queen" of flowers.
March, the peak season for rhododendron blossoms, is also a time when many tourists flock to Lao Cai to conquer high mountain peaks such as Fansipan, Pu Ta Leng, Ky Quan San, Lao Than, and Nhiu Co San… As the number of tourists climbing mountains to admire the rhododendrons increases, the issue of protecting this precious flower of the mountains also arises. In reality, there have been instances of some highlanders cutting rhododendron branches to sell in the city for money. It is heartbreaking that ancient rhododendron branches, "treasures" of the mountains, are being cut down just to sell for a few hundred thousand dong.
Faced with this situation, relevant authorities have strengthened protective measures to prevent the damage to rare rhododendron populations. Mr. Ngo Kien Trung, Head of the Bat Xat Nature Reserve Management Board, shared: “The Bat Xat Nature Reserve has a diverse ecosystem with many rare plant and animal species, including many types of wild rhododendrons growing on the mountains of Pu Ta Leng, Lao Than, Ky Quan San, Nhiu Co San... The reserve's forest rangers regularly patrol, educate, and remind people in the villages of Y Ty, Den Sang, Muong Hum, and Trinh Tuong communes, especially mountain guides and tourists, to raise awareness of protecting rhododendrons and other rare plant and animal species. They are only allowed to admire the flowers and take photos, but not to break or cut branches for sale, thus keeping the rhododendron trees healthy and beautiful each flowering season, attracting tourists to visit.”
Every March, amidst the wild and majestic wilderness of the mountains, clusters of rhododendrons silently bloom, shyly and alluringly captivating. Therefore, each flowering season is like a promise to those who love the winding mountain paths, a chance to once again encounter the proud beauty of these flowers amidst the clouds.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nu-hoang-giua-dai-ngan-post895760.html
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