Pu Luong, a pristine land for developing ecotourism

In recent years, Pu Luong Nature Reserve (in Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa districts, Thanh Hoa province) has become a prominent community ecotourism destination, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. The core factor that makes Pu Luong tourism highly appreciated is the effort to preserve the natural beauty of the landscape, cultural values ​​and lifestyle of local ethnic groups.

The beauty of Kho Muong, Pu Luong, Thanh Hoa. Photo: Internet

Located less than 130km northwest of Thanh Hoa city center and about 190km from Hanoi , Pu Luong belongs to Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc districts of Thanh Hoa province.

The North and Northeast of Pu Luong borders Mai Chau, Tan Lac and Lac Son districts of Hoa Binh province... combining to form a closed circle for a journey of discovery and extremely interesting experiences because of the wild beauty of Pu Luong , especially the terraced rice fields and primeval forests .

The best time to visit Pu Luong is when the new rice crop begins from late May to early June, when the fields and terraced fields will be covered in a lush green coat, extremely beautiful and peaceful.

Coming to Pu Luong, tourists have many options to explore such as visiting villages and learning about the customs and habits of the simple and rustic Thai and Muong people here. Son, Ba, Muoi villages of Lung Cao commune; Kho Muong village of Thanh Son commune; Don village of Thanh Lam commune; Hieu village of Co Lung commune...

In particular, although it is summer, because it is located in a low-lying limestone mountainous area, with many tropical forests and few inhabitants, the air and weather here are quite cool and pleasant. Or visitors can come to Pu Luong in September and October, these two months are the time when Pu Luong enters the ripe rice season, all the terraced fields on the hillside will turn bright yellow, making Pu Luong have a rich and dreamy beauty. This time is also the time when this "paradise in the middle of the jungle" attracts the most tourists to Pu Luong to see the ripe rice.

With lush green forests and a system of caves, streams, and waterfalls, Pu Luong is very suitable for wild nature experiences such as walking, cycling, mountain climbing, boating, waterfall bathing... Besides, there is the long-standing and rich cultural identity of the Thai and Muong people in the upper Ma River, from the colorful brocade Pho Don market to the graceful xoe dances, luan singing, and bamboo pole dancing, or the delicious and attractive traditional dishes.

After a day of exploring Pu Luong, visitors can rest in the spacious, airy stilt houses of the local people. Or they can stay at the resorts of Pu Luong Nature Reserve such as Puluong Natura bungalow, Puluong Retreat, Puluong Eco-garden, Puluong OhayO... with modern design but still preserving the traditions of Pu Luong land. Here, visitors will enjoy the typical dishes of this land such as bamboo rice, wild banana flower salad, bitter soup, Co Lung duck, hill chicken, bamboo steamed fish, mountain snails, five-color sticky rice,... or drink a jar of rice wine with the local people.

Coming to Pu Luong, visitors can also enjoy rustic specialties: Co Lung duck, hill chicken, grilled wild boar, bitter bamboo shoots, mountain snails, bamboo rice, wild banana flower salad... Illustrative photo: Photo toptravels.vn

Mr. Truong Van Minh, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Ba Thuoc district, commented: “Most visitors to Pu Luong want to participate in cultural experiences, explore natural landscapes, and combine relaxation. Therefore, in the coming time, the district will continue to coordinate with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Tourism Association to conduct surveys, foster tourism skills, and orient the development of suitable products in the last months of the year. In particular, focusing on developing health care services such as herbal baths, herbal therapy; enhancing cultural and artistic exchange activities, and exploring indigenous culture.

Along with that, high-class resorts will be formed and homestays will be upgraded to ensure quality services for tourists at Don, Kho Muong and Hieu tourist attractions. At the same time, focus on building eco-tours to visit Ba Thuoc 2 Hydropower Reservoir, Dan Long Waterfall, Duong Coc Lake, Muon Waterfall, Van Nho Fish Cave... combined with spiritual tourism at Gioi Pagoda and Dong Tam International Martyrs' Cemetery. In addition, focus on linking domestic tourist routes such as Thanh Nha Ho - Cam Luong Fish Stream - Pu Luong; Mai Chau (Hoa Binh) - Ninh Binh - Pu Luong...

Ba Thuoc district also continues to focus on community ecotourism combined with resorts in Don, Kho Muong, Am Hieu, Bang, Son - Ba - Muoi villages... This type of tourism is associated with activities such as visiting terraced fields, experiencing the harvest of ripe rice; growing vegetables, picking tangerines and experiencing agricultural ecology; enjoying traditional local cuisine at local people's homes (homestay tourism); exploring and experiencing "Sa Pa in the heart of Thanh land" at the high points of Son - Ba - Muoi.

Pu Luong still has many interesting things, visitors should explore and feel the wild natural landscape in the new journey. With what nature has bestowed, surely Pu Luong-Ba Thuoc community tourism area is and will be an ideal stop for visitors in the future./.

Yanjiang