Adventure through the Enchanting Le Pass

Located more than 30km west of Huong An intersection, Mát Stream - Le Pass (Quế Long commune, Quế Sơn district, Quảng Nam) is known to many travelers as an exciting wilderness destination in the summer.

Mát Stream - Le Pass is closely associated with the legend of Princess Huyen Tran, evoking a sense of mystery and sanctity. Amidst rolling hills with cascading waterfalls, whether at dawn, dusk, or under the moonlight, the light casting on the silver-covered cliffs sparkles...

Legend has it that in ancient times, Princess Huyen Tran often ventured to Le Pass to admire the scenery. Later, after King Che Man passed away, the queen had to follow the royal custom of death. However, Princess Huyen Tran was secretly rescued and taken to Le Pass by Tran Khac Chung for temporary refuge.

Afterward, the princess disguised herself as a village girl to board a boat along the Ly Ly River to Cua Dai, waiting for the wind to change direction before setting sail northward.

Originally, Le Pass was just a narrow jungle trail, very difficult to traverse. In 1937, local heroes in Quế Sơn such as Nguyen Dinh Hien, Lam Xuan Quế... mobilized the people to open up the Le Pass route. The construction was completed in 1939.

In modern times, Le Pass spans over 7km, cutting through the Hon Tau mountain range, linking the Quế Sơn and Nông Sơn districts. Though not lengthy or winding, only when travelers reach Le Pass do they truly sense the challenging ascent.

The winding road occasionally encounters rugged sections of rocky cliffs, with some parts sloping down towards the mountain and others resembling deep, abyssal chasms. Faintly visible are a few homes nestled amidst the rugged, tranquil forests.

As one nears the summit of the pass, visitors can feel the rushing water of Mát Stream echoing against the rock face. The closer one gets, the cooler the sensation of stone, water, and forest permeates the skin.

To explore Mát Stream, simply park atop the pass and traverse the rugged rock formations. Just below the stream lies an artificial lake, constructed as an eco-friendly reservoir for tourism purposes.

The clear blue waters, reflecting the rows of trees, casting the silhouette of the mountains, create a charming landscape painting of nature's harmony.

As one ascends the rocky steps, they are treated to various wild beauties. Small streams, clear water, flowing gently through rocks. On both sides of the trail, lush grass and delicate wildflowers sway in the wind, welcoming each traveler.

Scattered here and there, a few apricot blossoms, plum and wild orchids, the melody of forest birds echoing through the crisp, cool mountain air.

Ascending to the 'sky peak', marveling at the grandeur of the pristine waterfall cascading down, it's as if all weariness from the journey through hills and mountains has vanished. Here, travelers immerse themselves in the refreshing waters, gazing as the frothy cascade releases them from above.

Watching sunlight filter through the waterfall, casting shimmering rainbows, one could easily believe they've stumbled into another world, forgetting the hustle and bustle of urban life.

And once at Le Pass, no one misses the opportunity to savor the famous delicacy: bamboo chicken.

The fame of Le Pass bamboo chicken stems not only from the culinary skill of the chefs but also from the chickens raised freely, resulting in firm, flavorful meat. Particularly, being cooked in the spring water of Mát Stream enhances its deliciousness further.

Only selecting chickens weighing around 500 – 600g, cooked on the spot according to the guests' preferences. The first enticing dish is boiled chicken served with a hot bowl of porridge. A sprinkle of lemon salt, a dash of pepper suffice to create an unforgettable sweetness.

Next up is the enticing aroma of grilled chicken or perhaps the adventurous call for some rotisserie chicken...

A day at Mát Stream, Le Pass passes quickly, as the sun hurriedly sets... Surely, every traveler will want to linger a while longer to immerse themselves in the waters and mountains or simply indulge in more of the specialty chicken.

Parting ways, Le Pass, Mát Stream... fade into the distance but will surely linger in the memories of travelers, tugging at their hearts.

As per Tuoi Tre Newspaper

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Reference: Travel Handbook Mytour