Yen Bai Rice on terraced fields in Tu Le and Mu Cang Chai is starting to ripen, tourists should plan to visit in the next two weeks.
The journey starts from Nghia Lo town, 220 km from Hanoi. This is often a transit point to many tourist destinations in Yen Bai such as Mu Cang Chai, Tu Le, Tram Tau, Van Chan. Visitors should depart the previous afternoon in Hanoi and stay overnight in Nghia Lo. This is where there are many accommodations and food services.
The itinerary was referenced from a travel company and experienced by Mr. Nhat Quang (Hanoi) during his trip in early September.
Day 1
Morning and noon
You can have breakfast in Nghia Lo or on the road. Suggested dishes include black sticky rice, five-color sticky rice, and ant egg sticky rice.
The journey to visit the terraced fields from Nghia Lo through Tu Le and then to Mu Cang Chai, the total distance is nearly 90 km. The road surface is beautiful but has many slopes and winding roads, visitors should be careful when driving.
Mr. Nhat Quang suggests booking a room to stay overnight in Tu Le commune, about 50 km from Nghia Lo, because there are many hotels and homestays here, quiet, not as crowded as in the center of Mu Cang Chai.
"Muong Hoa Hotel costs 500,000 VND per night for a room for two people, is quite clean and has all the necessary facilities, and is located right on the main road. If you go in a large group, you can go inside the village, like Lim Thai, to stay at a community house," said Mr. Quang. There are many similar hotels around the area where he lives.
Lim Mong Valley seen from the rest stop on Khau Pha Pass. Photo: Nhat Quang
After checking in, you move to Mu Cang Chai, about 35 km from Tu Le, passing Khau Pha pass, one of the "Four Great Passes" of Vietnam along with Ma Pi Leng (Ha Giang), O Quy Ho (Lai Chau - Lao Cai) and Pha Din (Dien Bien). From here, you can admire the beautiful scenery of Lim Mong village. The top of the pass is a check-in and photo spot that cannot be missed.
During September and October, every weekend there will be a paragliding activity called "Flying over the golden season". Paragliding from Khau Pha peak to see the golden season is one of the experiences you should try in Mu Cang Chai during the ripe rice season. Each flight lasts 10-15 minutes, with or without a companion, fully equipped. Even if you have never flown a parachute before, you will not have any difficulty.
It is important to register in advance for this service because only 20 to 50 guests are allowed to fly each day. In addition, whether you can fly or not depends on the weather. The price for paragliding ranges from 2.2 million to 2.6 million VND per person, depending on the time of weekday or weekend.
Afterwards, visitors can have lunch on the top of Khau Pha Pass.
Grilled buffalo meat rolled in cabbage and served with sticky rice in Khau Pha. Photo: Nhat Quang
"Right at the top of the pass, there is a small restaurant serving ethnic dishes. Grilled buffalo meat wrapped in mustard leaves and wild vegetables, served with a dipping sauce made according to a local recipe, is a must-try dish," said Mr. Quang. A piece of grilled buffalo meat enough for two people costs 180,000 VND, and a package of purple sticky rice costs 50,000 VND.
Afternoon
The entire afternoon is spent visiting famous destinations in Mu Cang Chai during the rice season. Even if you just stop by the roadside, you can still take countless beautiful photos. But according to the experience of many tourists, rent a motorbike to go deeper into the area with the most beautiful terraced fields. "Many roads are quite steep and small, so you need to have a good driving skill, or hire a local to take you," said Mr. Quang.
The three communes of La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and De Xu Phinh are places not to be missed. These are places that have been ranked as special national monuments. Horseshoe Hill, Raspberry Hill... are names that are often mentioned. At the end of the year, you can also come here to admire the buckwheat flower fields.
If you have time, visit Mo waterfall in Mo De commune, Mu Cang Chai district. The waterfall impresses with its clear water, white foam, and blooming wild flowers, creating an impressive scene.
Shopping at Mu Cang Chai market then return to Tu Le for dinner and overnight.
Rice is still green in Mam Xoi hill in Mu Cang Chai in early September. Photo: Nhat Quang
Day 2
Morning and noon
Wake up early and walk among the rice fields in Tu Le to enjoy the fresh air and the faint scent of rice. The morning is cool, only about 25 degrees Celsius. Remember to bring a light jacket. If you have more time to leisurely spend in the morning, you should choose to cycle to Thai village, at the foot of Khau Pha pass on the Tu Le side.
Thai village leans against the mountain, has poetic natural scenery with stilt houses, easy-to-travel roads. Interspersed with green and yellow terraced fields. If you have time to go deeper, you will reach Lim Mong village.
Around noon, return to the commune center to learn how people make the famous Tu Le green rice. Along the way and in the village, you can see rice harvesting, threshing, and roasting. Tu Le green rice has hard grains, not as soft as green rice in Hanoi, but fragrant. In addition, if you know how to preserve and process (sprinkle more water), Tu Le green rice can be processed into delicious dishes.
Lunch at roadside restaurants with grilled chicken, grilled buffalo meat, and Tu Le sticky rice. A meal for two ranges from 300,000 to 400,000 VND.
Afternoon
After more than a day of traveling and doing a lot of activities, relax by bathing in the natural hot springs at Le Champ Tu Le. This is an accommodation, hot mineral bath and entertainment area right in the center of the commune. Overnight stays will be free of charge, otherwise you will have to buy a ticket. The package ticket price is 700,000 VND. If you buy individual tickets, the price ranges from 200,000 VND to 500,000 VND.
The natural hot spring area has water directly piped from the hot spring near the resort. There is a large pool and many small pools. If you like thrilling and challenging games, you should go to the Adventure Camp entertainment area with a series of interesting games such as zorbing (getting into an inflated transparent ball, then rolling down the hill), high rope (adventure on the rope), mountain climbing, especially the longest zipline in Vietnam, over 1 km.
Have dinner at Le Champ before heading back to the city. The menu features popular Vietnamese dishes, priced from VND200,000 to VND400,000 per person.
Tam Anh
Source link
Comment (0)